Reference: Paul
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The distinguished "apostle of the Gentiles;" also called SAUL, a Hebrew name. He is first called Paul in Ac 13:12; and as some think, assumed this Roman name according to a common custom of Jews in foreign lands, or in honor of Sergius Paulus, Ac 13:7, his friend and an early convert. Both names however may have belonged to him in childhood. He was born at Tarsus in Cilicia, and inherited from his father the privileges of a Roman citizen. His parents belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, and brought up their son as "a Hebrew of the Hebrews," Php 3:5. Tarsus was highly distinguished for learning and culture, and the opportunities for improvement it afforded were no doubt diligently improved by Paul. At a suitable age he was sent to Jerusalem to complete his education in the school of Gamaliel, the most distinguished and right-minded of the Rabbis of that age. It does not appear that he was in Jerusalem during the ministry of Christ; and it was perhaps after his return to Tarsus that he learned the art of tent-making, in accordance with a general practice among the Jews, and their maxim, "He that does not teach his son a useful handicraft, teaches him to steal," Ac 18:3; 20:34; 2Th 3:8.
We next find him at Jerusalem, apparently about thirty years of age, high in the confidence of the leading men of the nation. He had profited by the instructions of Gamaliel, and became learned in the law; yielding himself to the strictest discipline of the sect of the Pharisees, he had become a fierce defender of Judaism and a bitter enemy of Christianity, Ac 8:3; 26:9-11. After his miraculous conversion, of which we have three accounts, Ac 9:22,26, Christ was all in all to him. It was Christ who revealed himself to his soul at Damascus, Ac 26:15; 1Co 15:8; to Christ he gave his whole heart, and soul, mind, might, and strength; and thenceforth, living or dying, he was "the servant of Jesus Christ." He devoted all the powers of his ardent and energetic mind to the defense and propagation of the gospel of Christ, more particularly among the Gentiles. His views of the pure and lofty spirit of Christianity, in its worship and in its practical influence, appear to have been peculiarly clear and strong; and the opposition which he was thus led to make to the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish worship, exposed him everywhere to the hatred and malice of his countrymen. On their accusation, he was at length put in confinement by the Roman officers and after being detained for two years or more at Caesarea, he was sent to Rome for trial, having himself appealed to the emperor. There is less certainty in respect to the accounts, which are given of Paul afterwards by the early ecclesiastical writers. Still it was a very generally received opinion in the earlier centuries, that the apostle was acquitted and discharged from his imprisonment at the end of two years; and that he afterwards returned to Rome, where he was again imprisoned and put to death by Nero.
Paul appears to have possessed all the learning which was then current among the Jews, and also to have been acquainted with Greek literature; as appears from his mastery of the Greek language, his frequent discussions with their philosophers, and his quotations from their poets-Aratus, Ac 17:28; Meander, 1Co 15:33; and Epimenides, Tit 1:12. Probably, however a learned Greek education cannot with propriety be ascribed to him. But the most striking trait in his character is his enlarged view of the universal design and the spiritual nature of the religion of Christ, and of its purifying and ennobling influence upon the heart and character of those who sincerely profess it. From the Savior himself he had caught the flame of universal love, and the idea of salvation for all mankind, Ga 1:12. Most of the other apostles and teachers appear to have clung to Judaism, to the rites, ceremonies, and dogmas of the religion in which they had been educated, and to have regarded Christianity as intended to be engrafted upon the ancient stock, which was yet to remain as the trunk to support the new branches. Paul seems to have been among the first to rise above this narrow view, and to regard Christianity in its light, as a universal religion. While others were for Judaizing all those who embraced the new religion by imposing on them the yoke of Mosaic observances, it was Paul's endeavor to break down the middle wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles, and show them that they were all "one in Christ." To this end all his labors tended; and, ardent in the pursuit of this great object, he did not hesitate to censure the time-serving Peter, and to expose his own life in resisting the prejudices of is countrymen. Indeed, his five years' imprisonment as Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome arose chiefly from this cause.
These various journeys of St. Paul, many of them made on foot, should be studied through on a map; in connection with the inspired narrative, in Acts, and with his own pathetic description of his labors, 2Co 11:23-29, wherein nevertheless the half is not told. When we review the many regions he traversed and evangelized, the converts he gathered, and the churches he founded, the toils, perils, and trials he endured, the miracles he wrought, and the revelations he received, the discourses, orations, and letters in which he so ably defends and unfolds Christianity, the immeasurable good which God by him accomplished, his heroic life, and his martyr death, he appears to us the most extraordinary of men.
The character of Paul is most fully portrayed in his epistles, by which, as Chrysostom says he, "still lives in the mouths of men throughout the whole world. By them, not only is own converts, but all the faithful even unto this day, yea, and all the saints who are yet to be born until Christ's coming again, both have been and shall be blessed." In them we observe the transforming and elevating power of grace in one originally turbulent and passionate-making him a model of many and Christian excellence; fearless and firm, yet considerate, courteous, and gentle; magnanimous, patriotic, and self-sacrificing; rich in all noble sentiments and affections.
EPISTLES OF PAUL. -There are fourteen epistles in the New Testament usually ascribed to Paul, beginning with that to the Romans, and ending with that to the Hebrews. Of these the first thirteen have never been contested; as to the latter, many good men have doubted whether Paul was the author, although the current of criticism is in favor of this opinion. These epistles, in which the principles of Christianity are developed for all periods, characters, and circumstances, are among the most important of the primitive documents of the Christian religion, even apart from their inspired character; and although they seem to have been written without special premeditation, and have reference mostly to transient circumstances and temporary relations, yet they everywhere bear the stamp of the great and original mind of the apostle, as purified, elevated, and sustained by the influences of the Holy Spirit.
It is worthy of mention here, that an expression of Peter respecting "our beloved brother Paul" is often a little misunderstood. The words "in which" in 2Pe 3:16, are erroneously applied to the "epistles" of Paul; and not to "these things" immediately preceding, that is, the subjects of which Peter was writing, as the Greek shows they should be. Peter finds no fault, either with Paul, or with the doctrines of revelation.
The arrangement of Hug is somewhat different; and some critics who find evidence that Paul was released from his first imprisonment and lived until the spring of A. D. 68, assign the epistles Hebrews, 1Timothy, Titus, and 2Timothy to the last year of his life. See TIMOTHY.
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And Saul abused the church, going into houses, and drawing out men and women, delivered to prison.
And Saul was the more strengthened, and confounded the Jews dwelling in Damascus, demonstrating that this is the Christ.
And Saul being present in Jerusalem, tried to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he is a disciple.
Who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paul, an intelligent man; he having called Barnabas and Saul, sought anxiously to hear the word of God.
Then the proconsul having seen that done, he believed, being struck with amazement at the teaching of the Lord.
For in him we live, and move, and are; as certain of the composers among you have said, For we also are his race.
And because being of the same trade, he remained with them, and wrought: for they were by trade tentmakers.
And ye yourselves know, that to my necessities, and to those being with me, these hands served.
I therefore truly thought to myself, I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus, the Nazarite. Which I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the holy ones I shut up in prison, having received authority from chief priests; and they taken up, I carried down a vote. read more. And in all the synagogues, many times punishing them, I compelled to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I drove out even also to cities without.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou drivest out.
Be not deceived: evil intercourses corrupt good habits.
Are they Christ's servants? (I speak being light-headed) I above; in toils more abundant, in blows more excessively, in watchings more abundantly, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times I received forty, except one. read more. Thrice was I scourged with rods, once was I stoned, thrice suffered I shipwreck, I have made a night and day in the deep; In journeys often, in dangers of rivers, in dangers of robbers, in dangers of the family, in dangers from the nations, in dangers in the city, in dangers in solitude, in dangers in the sea, in dangers with false brethren; In fatigue and toil, in watchfulnesses often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides things outside, my distraction daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I am not inflamed
For I neither received it from man, neither was I taught, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Circumcision done the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
A certain of them said, their own prophet, The Cretians always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies.
As also in all the epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things difficult to understand, which the unlearned and unstable pervert, as also the rest of the writings, to their own perdition.
Easton
Saul (q.v.) was born about the same time as our Lord. His circumcision-name was Saul, and probably the name Paul was also given to him in infancy "for use in the Gentile world," as "Saul" would be his Hebrew home-name. He was a native of Tarsus, the capi
Tarsus was also the seat of a famous university, higher in reputation even than the universities of Athens and Alexandria, the only others that then existed. Here Saul was born, and here he spent his youth, doubtless enjoying the best education his native city could afford. His father was of the straitest sect of the Jews, a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, of pure and unmixed Jewish blood (Ac 23:6; Php 3:5). We learn nothing regarding his mother; but there is reason to conclude that she was a pious woman, and that, like-minded with her husband, she exercised all a mother influence in moulding the character of her son, so that he could afterwards speak of himself as being, from his youth up, "touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless" (Php 3:6).
We read of his sister and his sister's son (Ac 23:16), and of other relatives (Ro 16:7,11-12). Though a Jew, his father was a Roman citizen. How he obtained this privilege we are not informed. "It might be bought, or won by distinguished service to the state, or acquired in several other ways; at all events, his son was freeborn. It was a valuable privilege, and one that was to prove of great use to Paul, although not in the way in which his father might have been expected to desire him to make use of it." Perhaps the most natural career for the youth to follow was that of a merchant. "But it was decided that...he should go to college and become a rabbi, that is, a minister, a teacher, and a lawyer all in one."
According to Jewish custom, however, he learned a trade before entering on the more direct preparation for the sacred profession. The trade he acquired was the making of tents from goats' hair cloth, a trade which was one of the commonest in Tarsus.
His preliminary education having been completed, Saul was sent, when about thirteen years of age probably, to the great Jewish school of sacred learning at Jerusalem as a student of the law. Here he became a pupil of the celebrated rabbi Gamaliel, and here he spent many years in an elaborate study of the Scriptures and of the many questions concerning them with which the rabbis exercised themselves. During these years of diligent study he lived "in all good conscience," unstained by the vices of that great city.
After the period of his student-life expired, he probably left Jerusalem for Tarsus, where he may have been engaged in connection with some synagogue for some years. But we find him back again at Jerusalem very soon after the death of our Lord. Here he now learned the particulars regarding the crucifixion, and the rise of the new sect of the "Nazarenes."
For some two years after Pentecost, Christianity was quietly spreading its influence in Jerusalem. At length Stephen, one of the seven deacons, gave forth more public and aggressive testimony that Jesus was the Messiah, and this led to much excitement among the Jews and much disputation in their synagogues. Persecution arose against Stephen and the followers of Christ generally, in which Saul of Tarsus took a prominent part. He was at this time probably a member of the great Sanhedrin, and became the active leader in the furious persecution by which the rulers then sought to exterminate Christianity.
But the object of this persecution also failed. "They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." The anger of the persecutor was thereby kindled into a fiercer flame. Hearing that fugitives had taken refuge in Damascus, he obtained from the chief priest letters authorizing him to proceed thither on his persecuting career. This was a long journey of about 130 miles, which would occupy perhaps six days, during which, with his few attendants, he steadily went onward, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter." But the crisis of his life was at hand. He had reached the last stage of his journey, and was within sight of Damascus. As he and his companions rode on, suddenly at mid-day a brilliant light shone round them, and Saul was laid prostrate in terror on the ground, a voice sounding in his ears, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" The risen Saviour was there, clothed in the vesture of his glorified humanity. In answer to the anxious inquiry of the stricken persecutor, "Who art thou, Lord?" he said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest" (Ac 9:5; 22:8; 26:15).
This was the moment of his conversion, the most solemn in all his life. Blinded by the dazzling light (Ac 9:8), his companions led him into the city, where, absorbed in deep thought for three days, he neither ate nor drank (Ac 9:11). Ananias, a disciple living in Damascus, was informed by a vision of the change that had happened to Saul, and was sent to him to open his eyes and admit him by baptism into the Christian church (Ac 9:11-16). The whole purpose of his life was now permanently changed.
Illustration: Scene of Paul's Journeys and of the Early Churches
Immediately after his conversion he retired into the solitudes of Arabia (Ga 1:17), perhaps of "Sinai in Arabia," for the purpose, probably, of devout study and meditation on the marvellous revelation that had been made to him. "A veil of thick darkness hangs over this visit to Arabia. Of the scenes among which he moved, of the thoughts and occupations which engaged him while there, of all the circumstances of a crisis which must have shaped the whole tenor of his after-life, absolutely nothing is known. 'Immediately,' says St. Paul, 'I went away into Arabia.' The historian passes over the incident (comp. Ac 9:23; 1Ki 11:38-39). It is a mysterious pause, a moment of suspense, in the apostle's history, a breathless calm, which ushers in the tumultuous storm of his active missionary life." Coming back, after three years, to Damascus, he began to preach the gospel "boldly in the name of Jesus" (Ac 9:27), but was soon obliged to flee (Ac 9:25; 2Co 11:33) from the Jews and betake himself to Jerusalem. Here he tarried for three weeks, but was again forced to flee (Ac 9:28-29) from persecution. He now returned to his native Tarsus (Ga 1:21), where, for probably about three years, we lose sight of him. The time had not yet come for his entering on his great life-work of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.
At length the city of Antioch, the capital of Syria, became the scene of great Christian activity. There the gospel gained a firm footing, and the cause of Christ prospered. Barnabas (q.v.), who had been sent from Jerusalem to superintend the work at Antioch, found it too much for him, and remembering Saul, he set out to Tarsus to seek for him. He readily responded to the call thus addressed to him, and came down to Antioch, which for "a whole year" became the scene of his labours, which were crowned with great success. The disciples now, for the first time, were called "Christians" (Ac 11:26).
The church at Antioch now proposed to send out missionaries to the Gentiles, and Saul and Barnabas, with John Mark as their attendant, were chosen for this work. This was a great epoch in the history of the church. Now the disciples began to give effect to the Master's command: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
The three missionaries went forth on the first missionary tour. They sailed from Seleucia, the seaport of Antioch, across to Cyprus, some 80 miles to the south-west. Here at Paphos, Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, was converted, and now Saul took the lead, and was ever afterwards called Paul. The missionaries now crossed to the mainland, and then proceeded 6 or 7 miles up the river Cestrus to Perga (Ac 13:13), where John Mark deserted the work and returned to Jerusalem. The two then proceeded about 100 miles inland, passing through Pamphylia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia. The towns mentioned in this tour are the Pisidian Antioch, where Paul delivered his first address of which we have any record (Ac 13:16-51; comp. Ac 10:30-43), Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. They returned by the same r
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And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou drivest out: hard for thee to kick against goads.
And Saul was raised up from the earth; and his eyes being opened, he saw no one: and leading him by the hand, they brought him to Damascus.
And the Lord to him, Having risen, go thou to the street called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas Saul by name, of Tarsus; for, behold, he prays,
And the Lord to him, Having risen, go thou to the street called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas Saul by name, of Tarsus; for, behold, he prays, And he saw in a vision a man, by name Ananias, coming in, and having put hand upon him, so that he might look up and see again. read more. And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how many evils he did to thy holy ones in Jerusalem: And here has he authority from the chief priests to bind all those calling on thy name. And the Lord said to him, Go: for he is a vessel of choice to me, to lift up my name before nations, and kings, and the sons of Israel: For I will show him what he must suffer for my name.
And when sufficient days were completed, the Jews counselled together to put him to death:
And the disciples having taken him by night, put through the wall, having let down in a wicker basket.
And Barnabas having taken him, brought him to the sent, and recounted to them how in the way he saw the Lord, and that he spake to him, and how in Damascus he spake freely in the name of Jesus. And he was with them going in and going out in Jerusalem, and speaking freely in the name of the Lord Jesus. read more. And he spake and sought out with the Greeks; but they purposed to kill him.
And Cornelius said, From the fourth day till this hour I was fasting; and the ninth hour praying in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And he says, Cornelius, thy prayer was harkened to, and thine alms remembered before God. read more. Therefore send to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he is received as guest in the house of Simon the currier by the sea: who, being present, shall speak to thee. From this therefore sent I to thee: and thou didst well being present. Now therefore are all we present before God, to hear all commanded thee of God. And Peter having opened the month; said, Of a truth I comprehend that God is no respecter of faces! But in every nation he fearing him, and working justice, is acceptable to him. The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, announcing good news, peace through Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all.) The word ye know, having been through the whole of Judea, having begun from Galilee, after the immersion which John preached; Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power; who passed through doing good, and healing all oppressed by the devil; for God was with him. And ye are witnesses of all which he did in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they killed, having hanged upon wood: Him God raised the third day, and gave him to be manifest; Not to all people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after his rising from the dead. And he enjoined us to proclaim to the people, and to testify that this is he appointed by God, Judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets testify, for all believing on him to receive remission of sins through his name.
And having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it was for a whole year they were assembled together in the churches, and taught a sufficient crowd. And the disciples were Christians by divine intimation first in Antioch.
And having been brought from Paphos, they about Paul came to Perga of Pamphylia: and John, having departed from them, returned to Jerusalem.
And Paul having risen, and shaken with the hand, said, Men, Israelites, and ye fearing God, hear ye. God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people in sojourning the land of Egypt, and with high arm brought them out of it. read more. And about forty years time he bare them in the desert. And having destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he gave them to inherit this land by lot. And after these, about four hundred and fifty years he gave judges, even to Samuel the prophet. And thence they desired a king; and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years. And having removed him, he raised up to them David for king; to whom also having testified, he said, I found David of Jesse, a man according to my heart, who shall do all my desires. From the seed of this has God according to promise raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus: John having proclaimed before the face of his coming the immersion of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John completed the course, be said, Whom think ye me to be? I am not. But, behold, he comes after me, whose shoes of the feet I am not worthy to loose. Men, brethren, sons of Abraham's race, and those among you fearing God, to you was the word of this salvation sent. For they dwelling in Jerusalem, and their rulers, not having known him, and the voices of the prophets which being read in every sabbath, having judged, they filled up. And having found no cause of death, they desired Pilate to have him slain. And when they finished all things written concerning him, having taken down from the wood, they put in a tomb. And God raised him from the dead: Who was seen for many days to them having come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people. And we announce good news to you, the promise made to our fathers, For this has God completed to us, their children, having raised up Jesus; as it has also been written in the second Psalms, Thou art my Son; to day have I begotten thee. And that he raised him from the dead, no more about to return to corruption, so he said, That I will give you the holy, faithful things of David. For also in another, he says, Thou shalt not give thy Holy one to see corruption. For David, truly having served his own generation by the will of God, was set to sleep, and was added to his fathers, and saw corruption: But whom God raised up, he saw no corruption. Be it known therefore to you, men, brethren, that for him remission of sins is announced to you. And from all which ye could not be justified by Moses' law, every one believing in him is justified. See ye, therefore, that that spoken by the prophets come not upon you. See, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, which ye would not believe if any recount to you. And the Jews having gone out of the synagogue, the nations besought to have these words spoken in the sabbath between. And the synagogue having been dissolved, many of the Jews and strangers worshipping, followed Paul and Barnabas: who speaking to them, persuaded them to remain in the grace of God. And the next sabbath nearly all the city was gathered together to hear the word of God. And the Jews, having seen the crowds, were filled with envy, and spake against the things said by Paul, contradicting and defaming. And Paul and Barnabas speaking freely, said, To you was it first necessary for the word of God to be spoken: but since ye reject it, and judge yourselves not worthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the nations. For so has the Lord commanded us, I have set thee for a light of the nations, for thee to be for salvation even to the last of the earth. And the nations having rejoiced, honoured the word of the Lord: and they believed, as many as were drawn out for eternal life. And the word of the Lord was conveyed through the whole country. And the Jews urged on the worshipping and distinguished women, and the first men of the city, and they raised up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and they cast them out of their bounds, And they, having shaken off the cloud of the dust of their feet against them, came into Iconium.
And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian country, hindered by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia,
And having passed by Mysia they came down to Troas. And a vision was seen to Paul by night; A certain man, a Macedonian, was standing, beseeching him, and saying, Having passed to Macedonia, help us.
Therefore truly he discussed in the synagogue with Jews, and those worshipping, and in the assembly in every day with those being present. And certain of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers deliberated with him. And certain said, What may this idle, talkative man wish to say? and others, He seems to be a declarer of strange demons: because he announced to them good news, and the rising up. read more. And having taken him, they brought upon Mars' hill, saying, Can we know what this new teaching is, spoken by thee? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we wish therefore to know what these things may be. (And all the Athenians and strangers being present, passed time in nothing else but to say or hear some thing new.) And Paul having stood in the midst of Mars' hill, said, Men, Athenians, I see that in all things ye have a superstitious fear of divinity. For having passed by, and beholding your venerations, I found also an altar upon which was inscribed, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom not knowing therefore ye reverence, him I announce to you. God having made the world and all things in it, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made by hands; Nor is served by men's hands, standing in need of anything, he giving to all life, and breath, and all things. And he made of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having limited the times before arranged, and the bounds of their habitation; To seek the Lord, if perchance indeed they have felt for him, and found, although not being far from each one of us: For in him we live, and move, and are; as certain of the composers among you have said, For we also are his race. Being therefore the posterity of God, we ought not to think gold, or silver, or stone, an engraving of art, or meditation of man, the divinity to be like. Therefore truly, God having overlooked the times of ignorance, now announces to all men everywhere to repent: Wherefore he set a day, in which he is about to judge the habitable globe in justice by the man whom he appointed; having offered faith to all, having raised him from the dead.
And they asking to remain with them for more time, he acquiesced not; But he took leave of them, saying, I must at any rate do the coming festival in Jerusalem: and I will again return to you, God willing. And he was conveyed from Ephesus. read more. And having come down to Cesarea having gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. And having made a certain time, he came out, passing in order the Galatian country and Phrygia, supporting all the disciples.
And having passed through those parts, and having besought them by much speech, he came into Greece.
And having sent from Miletus to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the church.
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarite, whom thou drivest out.
And Paul having known that one part is of the Sadducees, and the other of the Pharisees, cried in the council, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, son of a Pharisee: for the hope and rising up of the dead am I judged.
And Paul's sister's son having heard of the ambuscade, having approached, and come into the camp, announced to Paul.
I will hearken to thee, he said, when also thine accusers should be present. And he commanded him to be watched in Herod's pretorium.
For if truly I act with injustice, and have done anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be nothing of which these accuse me, no one can yield me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou drivest out.
And having appointed him a day, many came to him to the lodging; to whom testifying, he set forth the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morn to eve.
And Paul remained two whole years in his own wages, and received all going to him, Proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom of speech, unimpeded.
By power of signs and wonders, by power of the Spirit of God, so that I from Jerusalem, and round about even to Illyricum, have completed the good news of Christ.
Embrace Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are distinguished among the sent, who also have been in Christ before me.
Embrace Herodion my kinsman. Embrace them of Narcissus, them being in the Lord. Embrace Tryphen a and Tryphosa, wearied in the Lord. Embrace Persis the beloved, who was much wearied in the Lord.
And coming to Troas for the good news of Christ, and a door having been opened to me in the Lord,
Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them sent before me; but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus.
And ye know that through weakness of the flesh I announced the good news to you before.
And ye know that through weakness of the flesh I announced the good news to you before. And my temptation in my flesh, ye counted not as nothing, nor spurned; but as an angel of God ye received me, as Christ Jesus.
So that my bonds in Christ were manifest in the whole pretorium, and to all the rest;
Circumcision done the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; For zeal, driving out the church; for justice in the law, not to be found fault with.
Aristarchus my fellowcaptive greets you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (for whom ye received commands: if he come to you, receive him;)
Fausets
(See ACTS.) The leading facts of his life which appear in that history, subsidiary to its design of sketching the great epochs in the commencement and development of Christ's kingdom, are: his conversion (Acts 9), his labours at Antioch (Acts 11), his first missionary journey (Acts 13; 14), the visit to Jerusalem at the council on circumcision (Acts 15), introduction of the gospel to Europe at Philippi (Acts 16),: visit to Athens (Acts 17), to Corinth (Acts 18), stay at Ephesus (Acts 19), parting address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20), apprehension at Jerusalem, imprisonment at Casesarea, and voyage to Rome (Acts 21-27). Though of purest Hebrew blood (Php 3:5), "circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, (bearing the name of the eminent man of that tribe, king Saul), an Hebrew of the Hebrew," yet his birthplace was the Gentile Tarsus. (Ac 21:39, "I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city.") His father, as himself, was a Pharisee (Ac 23:6). Tarsus was celebrated as a school of Greek literature (Strabo, Geogr. 1:14).
Here he acquired that knowledge of Greek authors and philosophy which qualified him for dealing with learned Gentiles and appealing to their own writers (Ac 17:18-28. Aratus; 1Co 15:33, Menander; Tit 1:12, Epimenides). Here too he learned the Cilician trade of making tents of the goats' hair cloth called "cilicium" (Ac 18:3); not that his father was in straitened circumstances, but Jewish custom required each child, however wealthy the parents might be, to learn a trade. He possessed the Roman citizenship from birth (Ac 22:28), and hence, when he commenced ministering among Gentiles, he preferred to be known by his Roman name Paul rather than by his Hebrew name Saul. His main education (probably after passing his first 12 years at Tarsus, Ac 26:4-5, "among his own nation." Alexandrinus, Vaticanus, Sinaiticus manuscripts read "and" before "at Jerusalem") was at Jerusalem "at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers" (Ac 22:3). (See GAMALIEL.)
Thus the three elements of the world's culture met in him: Roman citizenship, Grecian culture, Hebrew religion. Gamaliel had counseled toleration (Ac 5:34-39); but his teaching of strict pharisaic legalism produced in Saul's ardent spirit persecuting zeal against opponents, "concerning zeal persecuting the church" (Php 3:6). Among the synagogue disputants with Stephen were men "of Cilcia" (Ac 6:9), probably including Saul; at all events it was at his feet, while be was yet "a young man," that the witnesses, stoning the martyr, laid down their clothes (Ac 6:9; 7:58; De 17:7). "Saul was consenting unto his death" (Acts 6; 7); but we can hardly doubt that his better feelings must have had some misgiving in witnessing Stephen's countenance beaming as an angel's, and in hearing his loving prayer for his murderers. But stern bigotry stifled all such doubts by increased zeal; "he made havock of (elumaineto, 'ravaged as a wild beast') the church, entering into the houses (severally, or worship rooms), and haling men and women committed them to prison" (Ac 8:3).
But God's grace arrested Paul in his career of blind fanaticism; "I obtained mercy upon, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1Ti 1:12-16). His ignorance was culpable, for he might have known if he had sought aright; but it was less guilty than sinning against light and knowledge. There is a wide difference between mistaken zeal for the law and willful striving against God's Spirit. His ignorance gave him no claim on, but put him within the range of, God's mercy (Lu 23:34; Ac 3:17; Ro 10:2). The positive ground of mercy is solely God's compassion (Tit 3:5). We have three accounts of his conversion, one by Luke (Acts 9), the others by himself (Acts 22; 26), mutually supplementing one another. Following the adherents of "the (Christian) way ... unto strange cities," and "breathing out threatenings and slaughter," he was on his journey to Damascus with authoritative letters from the high priest empowering him to arrest and bring to Jerusalem all such, trusting doubtless that the pagan governor would not interpose in their behalf.
At midday a light shone upon him and his company, exceeding the brightness of the sun; he and all with him fell to the earth (Ac 26:14; in Ac 9:7 "stood speechless," namely, they soon rose, and when he at length rose they were standing speechless with wonder), "hearing" the sound of a "voice," but not understanding (compare 1Co 14:2 margin) the articulate speech which Paul heard (Ac 22:9, "they heard not the voice of Him that spoke") in Hebrew (Ac 26:14), "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" (in the person of My brethren, Mt 25:40). "It is hard for thee to kick against the goads" (not in Ac 9:5 the Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Alexandrinus manuscripts, but only in Ac 26:14), which, as in the case of oxen being driven, only makes the goad pierce the deeper (Mt 21:44; Pr 8:36). Saul trembling (as the jailer afterward before him, Ac 16:30-31) said, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" the usual question at first awakening (Lu 3:10), but here with the additional sense of unreserved surrender of himself to the Lord's guidance (Isa 6:1-8).
The Lord might act directly, but He chooses to employ ministerial instruments; such was Ananias whom He sent to Saul, after he had been three days without sight and neither eating nor drinking, in the house of Judas (probably a Christian to whose house he had himself led, rather than to his former co-religionists). Ananias, whom he would have seized for prison and death, is the instrument of giving him light and life. God had prepared Ananias for his visitor by announcing the one sure mark of his conversion, "behold he prayeth" (Ro 8:15). Ananias had heard of him as a notorious persecutor, but obeyed the Lord's direction. In Ac 26:16-18 Paul condenses in one account, and connects with Christ's first appearing, subsequent revelations of Jesus to him as to the purpose of his call;" to make thee a minister and witness of these things ... delivering thee from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee." Like Jonah, the outcast runaway, when penitent, was made the messenger of repentance to guilty Nineveh.
The time of his call was just when the gospel was being opened to the Gentiles by Peter (Acts 10). An apostle, severed from legalism, and determined unbelief by an extraordinary revulsion, was better fitted for carrying forward the work among unbelieving Gentiles, which had been begun by the apostle of the circumcision. He who was the most learned and at the same time humblest (Eph 3:8; 1Co 15:9) of the apostles was the one whose pen was most used in the New Testament Scriptures. He"saw" the Lord in actual person (Ac 9:17; 22:14; 23:11; 26:16; 1Co 15:8; 9:1), which was a necessary qualification for apostleship, so as to be witness of the resurrection. The light that flashed on his eyes was the sign of the spiritual light that broke in upon his soul; and Jesus' words to him (Ac 26:18), "to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light" (which commission was symbolized in the opening of his own eyes through Ananias, Ac 9:17-18), are by undesigned coincidence reproduced naturally in his epistles (Col 1:12-14; 2Co 4:4; Eph 1:18, contrast Eph 4:18; 6:12).
He calls himself "the one untimely born" in the family of the apostles (1Co 15:8). Such a child, though born alive, is yet not of proper size and scarcely worthy of the name of man; so Paul calls himself" least of the apostles, not meet to be called an apostle" (compare 1Pe 1:3). He says, God's "choice" (Ac 9:15; 22:14), "separating me (in contrast to his having been once a "Pharisee", from pharash, i.e. a separatist, but now 'separated' unto something infinitely higher) from my mother's womb (therefore without any merit of mine), and calling me by His grace (which carried into effect His 'good pleasure,' eudokia), revealed His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the pagan," independent of Mosaic ceremonialism (Ga 1:11-20). Ananias, being "a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews there," was the suitable instrum
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The hand of the witnesses shall be at first upon him to put him to death, and the hand of all the people afterward. And put thou away the evil from the midst of thee.
And Shimei will say, Good the word: according to what my lord the king spake, thus will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days. And it will be from the end of three years, and two servants to Shimei, will flee to Achish, son of Maachah, king of Gath: and they will announce to Shimci, saying, Behold, thy servants in Gath.
And it will be when Ahab saw Elijah, and Ahab will say to him, This thou, troubling Israel?
And not saying, Where is God making me? he gave songs in the night
For thou wilt not leave my soul to hades; thou wilt not give thy merciful ones to see corruption.
The day Jehovah will command his mercy, and in the night the song with me; the prayer to the God of my life.
And he sinning against me did violence to his soul: all hating me loved death.
The fear of man will give a snare: and he trusting in Jehovah shall be exalted.
In the year king Uzziah died, and I shall see Jehovah sitting upon his throne, high and lifted up, and his train filling the temple. And seraphs standing from above to it; six wings, six wings to one; with two he will cover his face, and with two he will cover his feet, and with two he will fly. read more. And this called to this, and said, Holy, holy, holy, Jehovah of armies: all the earth full of his glory. The foundations of the thresholds will tremble from the voice calling, and the house will be filled with smoke. And saying, Wo to me! for I was cut off; because I a man of unclean lips, and in the midst of a people of unclean lips I dwell: for mine eyes saw the king, Jehovah of armies. And one from the seraphs will fly to me, and in his hand a hot stone, he took with the tongs from off the altar: And he will touch upon my mouth, and say, Behold, this touched upon thy lips; and took away thine iniquity, and thy sin shall be covered. And I shall hear the voice of Jehovah, saying, Whom shall I send, and who shall go for us? and behold me saying, Send me.
I Jehovah called thee in justice, and I will hold by thy hand, and I will guard thee and give thee for a covenant of the people, for the light of the nations,
And he will say, It was light thou being to me a servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to turn back the preserved of Israel: and I gave thee for a light of the nations to be my salvation even to the extremity of the earth.
In that day I will raise up the tent of David having fallen, and I walled in their breaches, and I will raise up its destructions, and I built it as the days of old: So that they shall possess the remnant of Edom, and all the nations which my name was called upon them, says Jehovah doing this
And if thine eye give thee cause of offence, take it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members be destroyed, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.
And seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and beginning to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me.
And they shall deliver him to the nations to mock, and scourge, and crucify: and he shall be raised the third day.
And he falling upon this stone shall be crushed: but upon whomsoever it should fall, it shall winnow him.
Then says he to his servants, Truly the nuptial feast is prepared, and those called were not worthy.
Naked, and ye put around me: I was sick, and ye reviewed me: I was in prison, and ye came to me.
And the king having answered, will say to them, Trull I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did to one of the least of my brethren, ye did to me.
And the crowds asked him, saying, What therefore shall we do?
And Jesus said, Father, let them go; for they know not what they do. And having divided his garments, they cast lots.
And the Word was flesh, and dwelt with us, (and we beheld his glory, as the glory of the only born of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
And of his completion we all received, and grace for grace.
Ye worship what ye know not: we worship what we know: for salvation is of the Jews.
If therefore, I washed your feet, the Lord and Teacher; ye also ought to wash the feet of one another:
Then came Pilate again into the pretorium, and asked Jesus, and said to him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Of thyself sayest thou this, or did others tell thee of me? read more. Pilate answered, Much less am I a Jew; thy nation and the chief priests have delivered thee to me: What didst thou? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, my servants had contended, that I be not delivered to the Jews; and now my kingdom is not hence. Then said Pilate to him, Art thou not then king? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world, that I testify to the truth. Every one being of the truth hears my voice.
From this Pilate sought to loose him: and the Jews cried out, saying, If thou loose this, thou art not Caesar's friend: every one making himself a king speaks against Caesar.
And springing forth he stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and springing, and praising God.
And now, brethren, I know that ye did in ignorance, as also your rulers.
And a messenger of the Lord by night opened the doors of the prison, and having brought them forth, said,
And a certain Pharisee having risen up in the council, by name Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honoured by all the people, urged to put the sent without a little while. And he said to them, Men, Israelites, attend to yourselves on account of these men, what ye are about to do. read more. For before these days Theudas arose, saying himself to be somebody: which a number of men followed, about four hundred, who was slain; and all, as many as believed him, were destroyed, and were for nothing. After this Judas the Galilean arose in the days of enrolling, and misled enough people after him: and he perished; and all, as many as believed him, were scattered. And now say I to you, Depart from these men, and leave them; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it shall be destroyed: And if it is of God, ye cannot destroy it; lest ye also be found contenders against God.
And certain of them arose from the synagogue, called Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrian, and of them from Cilicia and Asia, seeking out with Stephen.
And certain of them arose from the synagogue, called Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrian, and of them from Cilicia and Asia, seeking out with Stephen.
In which time Moses was born, and he was shrewd to God, who was nourished up three months in his father's house:
And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was powerful in words and in works.
And having cast out of the city, they stoned: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul.
And Saul abused the church, going into houses, and drawing out men and women, delivered to prison.
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou drivest out: hard for thee to kick against goads.
And the men journeying with him stood astonished, hearing the voice truly, and seeing no one.
And the Lord said to him, Go: for he is a vessel of choice to me, to lift up my name before nations, and kings, and the sons of Israel:
And Ananias departed, and came into the house; and having put hands upon him said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus, he seen to thee in the way which thou earnest, so that thou mightest look up, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And Ananias departed, and came into the house; and having put hands upon him said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus, he seen to thee in the way which thou earnest, so that thou mightest look up, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And quickly there fell from his eyes as scales: and he immediately looked up, and having risen, he was immersed.
And quickly in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. And all they hearing were affected in mind, and said: Is not this he having laid waste in Jerusalem those calling upon this name, and he has come here for this, that he might bring them having been bound to the chief priests? read more. And Saul was the more strengthened, and confounded the Jews dwelling in Damascus, demonstrating that this is the Christ. And when sufficient days were completed, the Jews counselled together to put him to death:
And Saul being present in Jerusalem, tried to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he is a disciple.
And Saul being present in Jerusalem, tried to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he is a disciple. And Barnabas having taken him, brought him to the sent, and recounted to them how in the way he saw the Lord, and that he spake to him, and how in Damascus he spake freely in the name of Jesus. read more. And he was with them going in and going out in Jerusalem, and speaking freely in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he spake and sought out with the Greeks; but they purposed to kill him.
And he spake and sought out with the Greeks; but they purposed to kill him. And the brethren having known, brought him down to Cesarea, and they sent him forth to Tarsus.
And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision discussed with him, Saying, That thou camest in to men having uncircumcision, and didst eat With them. read more. And Peter having begun, set forth to them in order, saying, I was in the city Joppa, praying: and in a deep trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descending as a great linen napkin, let down from heaven by four beginnings; and it came even to me: Upon which having looked intently, I observed, and saw quadrupeds of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and the flying things of heaven. And I heard a voice saying to me, Having risen, Peter, kill and eat. And I said, By no means, Lord: for anything common or unclean never came into my month. And a voice answered me of a second time from heaven, What God cleansed, profane not. And this was for thrice: and again all was drawn up into heaven. And, behold, from this three men stood at the house in which I was, sent from Cesarea to me. And the spirit said to me to come with them, discussing nothing. And these six brethren came also with me, and we came to the man's house: And he announced to us how he saw a messenger in his house, having stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa, and send for Simon, surnamed Peter Who shall speak words to thee, by which thou shalt be saved and all thy house. And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as also upon us in the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, when he said, John truly immersed with water; but ye shall be immersed with the Holy Spirit. If therefore God gave the like gift to them as also to us, having believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; how was I able to hinder God
And certain of them were Cyprian and Cyrenian men, who having come to Antioch, spake to the Greeks announcing good news, the Lord Jesus.
And the word was heard in the ears of the church in Jerusalem concerning them: and they sent Barnabas to pass through even to Antioch. Who, having been present, and seen the grace of God, rejoiced, and besought them all, with purpose of heart, to remain to the Lord. read more. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and a crowd sufficient were added to the Lord. And Barnabas came forth to Tarsus, to seek Saul And having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it was for a whole year they were assembled together in the churches, and taught a sufficient crowd. And the disciples were Christians by divine intimation first in Antioch. In these days came down prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them having risen, Agabus by name, signified by the Holy Spirit a great famine was about to be upon the whole habitable globe: which was during Claudius Caesar. And certain of the disciples, as he was able, determined, each of them, to send for service to the brethren dwelling in Judea: Which also they did, having sent to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Which also they did, having sent to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
And when Herod was about to bring him before, in that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the watch before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the messenger of the Lord stood before, and a light shone in the dwelling: and having struck Peter's side, he raised him up, saying, Arise quickly. And his chains fell off from the hands. read more. And the messenger said to him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy small sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Put round thy garment, and follow me. And having come out, he followed him; and knew not that it is true that being done by the messenger; and seemed to see a vision. And having passed by the first and second watch, they came to the iron gate leading to the city; which of its free will was opened to them: and having come out, they advanced one street; and quickly the messenger departed from him.
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having completed the service, and taken with them John, surnamed Mark.
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having completed the service, and taken with them John, surnamed Mark.
Therefore truly they remained a sufficient time speaking freely in the Lord, he testifying to the word of his grace, and giving signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Said with a great voice, Stand up upon thy feet upright.:And he leaped and walked.
And they tarried there not a little time with the disciples.
And much discussion having been, Peter having risen up, said to them, Men, brethren, ye know that from ancient days God chose among us, through my month for the nations to hear the word of good news, and believe. And God the knower of hearts testified to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, as also us; read more. And separated nothing between us and also them, by faith having purified their hearts. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But by grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we believe to be saved, as also they.
And he arrived at Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, by name Timothy, son of a certain woman, a faithful Jewess; and of a Greek father: Who was testified of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. read more. Him Paul wished to go forth with him; and having taken, he circumcised him, on account of the Jews being in those places: for all knew his father that he was a Greek.
And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian country, hindered by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia, Having come to Mysia, they tried to go to Bithynia: and the Spirit suffered them not.
And when he saw the vision, we quickly sought to come out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord called us to announce good news to them.
And bringing them out, he said, Lords, what must I do that I might be saved And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
And the unbelieving Jews, having been jealous, and having taken certain evil men of the vulgar, and excited to tumult, they disturbed the city by loud noise, and having stood against the house of Jason, they sought to bring them to the populace.
And certain of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers deliberated with him. And certain said, What may this idle, talkative man wish to say? and others, He seems to be a declarer of strange demons: because he announced to them good news, and the rising up. And having taken him, they brought upon Mars' hill, saying, Can we know what this new teaching is, spoken by thee? read more. For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we wish therefore to know what these things may be. (And all the Athenians and strangers being present, passed time in nothing else but to say or hear some thing new.) And Paul having stood in the midst of Mars' hill, said, Men, Athenians, I see that in all things ye have a superstitious fear of divinity. For having passed by, and beholding your venerations, I found also an altar upon which was inscribed, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom not knowing therefore ye reverence, him I announce to you. God having made the world and all things in it, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made by hands;
God having made the world and all things in it, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made by hands;
God having made the world and all things in it, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made by hands; Nor is served by men's hands, standing in need of anything, he giving to all life, and breath, and all things.
Nor is served by men's hands, standing in need of anything, he giving to all life, and breath, and all things. And he made of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having limited the times before arranged, and the bounds of their habitation;
And he made of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having limited the times before arranged, and the bounds of their habitation; To seek the Lord, if perchance indeed they have felt for him, and found, although not being far from each one of us:
To seek the Lord, if perchance indeed they have felt for him, and found, although not being far from each one of us: For in him we live, and move, and are; as certain of the composers among you have said, For we also are his race.
For in him we live, and move, and are; as certain of the composers among you have said, For we also are his race. Being therefore the posterity of God, we ought not to think gold, or silver, or stone, an engraving of art, or meditation of man, the divinity to be like.
Wherefore he set a day, in which he is about to judge the habitable globe in justice by the man whom he appointed; having offered faith to all, having raised him from the dead.
And because being of the same trade, he remained with them, and wrought: for they were by trade tentmakers.
And Paul said, I am truly a man a Jew, a Tarsean of Cilicia, a citizen of no undistinguished city: and I beseech of thee to give way for me to speak to the people.
I am truly a Jew, a man born in Tarsus, of Cilicia, and brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the exactness of the fathers' law, being zealous of God, as all ye are this day.
And they being with me truly saw the light, and were terrified; but they heard not the voice of him speaking to me.
And when I saw not from the glory of that light, led by the hand of them being with me I came to Damascus.
And he said, The God of our fathers took thee in hand, to know his will, and to see the Just, and hear the voice from his mouth.
And he said, The God of our fathers took thee in hand, to know his will, and to see the Just, and hear the voice from his mouth.
And it was to me returning to Jerusalem, and praying in the temple, I was in a deep trance:
And it was to me returning to Jerusalem, and praying in the temple, I was in a deep trance: And saw him saying to me, Hasten, and come quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony of me.
And saw him saying to me, Hasten, and come quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony of me.
And saw him saying to me, Hasten, and come quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony of me. And I said, Lord, these know that I was imprisoning and skinning in the synagogues them believing on thee:
And the captain of a thousand answered, I obtained this citizenship for much capital. And Paul said, And I have been born.
And Paul having known that one part is of the Sadducees, and the other of the Pharisees, cried in the council, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, son of a Pharisee: for the hope and rising up of the dead am I judged.
And the following night the Lord, having stood by him, said, Take courage, Paul: for as thou hast testified the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou also testify at Rome.
Therefore truly my manner of life from youth, having been from the beginning in my nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews know: Knowing me beforehand, from a former period, if they would testify, that according to the most strict sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
And we having all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why drivest thou me out? hard for thee to kick against goads.
And we having all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why drivest thou me out? hard for thee to kick against goads.
And we having all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why drivest thou me out? hard for thee to kick against goads.
But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for, for this was I sent to thee, to take thee in hand, a servant and witness both of what things thou sawest, and of what I shall be seen to thee;
But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for, for this was I sent to thee, to take thee in hand, a servant and witness both of what things thou sawest, and of what I shall be seen to thee; Taking thee away from people, and nations, to whom I now send thee. read more. To open their eyes, to turn them back from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, fur them to receive remission of sins, and inheritance with the consecrated by faith in me.
To open their eyes, to turn them back from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, fur them to receive remission of sins, and inheritance with the consecrated by faith in me.
Whom God had set before a propitiatory by faith in his blood, for a manifestation of his justice by passing over of sins before existing, in the sufferance of God;
Whom God had set before a propitiatory by faith in his blood, for a manifestation of his justice by passing over of sins before existing, in the sufferance of God;
For ye have not received the Spirit of servitude again for fear; but have received the Spirit of adoption as a son, in which we cry, Abba, Father.
For I testify for them that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
But what does it say? The word is near thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we proclaim; For if thou confess in thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Him being weak in faith receive ye, not to judgments of conversations. One truly believes to eat all things: and he being weak eats vegetables. read more. Let not him eating despise him not eating: and let not him not eating judge him eating: for God has received him. Who art thou judging another's servant? to his own lord he stands or falls. And he shall be made to stand: for God is powerful to make him stand. For one truly judges day above day: and one judges every day. Let each one be perfectly certain in his own mind. He minding the day, minds to the Lord; and he not minding the day, to the Lord he minds not. He eating, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he not eating, to the Lord he eats not, and he gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.
Then let us no more judge one another: but rather judge ye this, not to put a stumble or offence to thy brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing common by itself; except to any one reckoning to be common, to that one it is common. read more. And if by food thy brother is grieved, thou no more walkest by love. Not by thy food destroy him, for whom Christ died. Therefore let not your good be defamed. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink; but justice, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he in these serving Christ, pleasing to God, and acceptable to men. So therefore, let us pursue the things of peace, and the things for the building up for one another. Not for sake of food destroy thou the work of God. Truly all things clean; but evil to the man eating by offence. Good not to eat flesh, nor drink wine, nor in what thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is weak. Thou has faith; have to thyself before God. Happy he judging not himself in what he proves. And he being judged if he eat, has been condemned for not of faith; and everything not of faith is sin.
I became to the weak as weak, that I might gain the weak: I have been all things to all, that altogether I might save some.
But, that what things they sacrifice the nations sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I will not ye be partakers of demons.
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, That the Lord Jesus, in the night which he was delivered up, took bread:
For he speaking in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God: (for none hears; and in the spirit he speaks mysteries.)
For I delivered to you among the first, what I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the writings;
And last of all exactly as an abortive, was he also seen by me.
Be not deceived: evil intercourses corrupt good habits.
(For truly the epistles, he says, weighty and strong; but the presence of the body weak, and the word counted as nothing.)
Are they Christ's servants? (I speak being light-headed) I above; in toils more abundant, in blows more excessively, in watchings more abundantly, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times I received forty, except one. read more. Thrice was I scourged with rods, once was I stoned, thrice suffered I shipwreck, I have made a night and day in the deep; In journeys often, in dangers of rivers, in dangers of robbers, in dangers of the family, in dangers from the nations, in dangers in the city, in dangers in solitude, in dangers in the sea, in dangers with false brethren; In fatigue and toil, in watchfulnesses often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides things outside, my distraction daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I am not inflamed If I must boast, I will boast things of my weakness. God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ knows, he being praised forever, that I lie not. In Damascus king Aretas' governor watched the city of the Damascenes, wishing to seize me
In Damascus king Aretas' governor watched the city of the Damascenes, wishing to seize me And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and I escaped from his hands.
Indeed it is not profitable to me to boast. For I will come to visions and Revelation of the Lord.
And lest I be lifted up by the eminence of Revelation, a thorn in the flesh was given me, a messenger of Satan, that he might cuff me, lest I be lifted up. For this thrice besought I the Lord, that it remove away from me. read more. And he said to me, My grace suffices thee: for my power is perfected in weakness. Therefore very willingly will I boast rather in my weaknesses, that Christ's power may lodge upon me. Therefore am I contented in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessities in expulsions, in extremities for Christ: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Surely the signs of one sent was wrought in you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and powers. For what is it which ye were inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself acted not with negligence to you? favor me for this injustice. read more. Behold, I have prepared to come to you the third time; and I will not act with negligence to you: for I seek not your things, but you: for children ought not to treasure up for parents, but parents for children. And I very willingly will expend and be expended for your souls; if also loving you more abundantly, the less I should be loved. And "let it be, I overloaded you not: but being dexterous, I took you by contrivance. Not any of whom I have sent to you have I by him taken advantage of you. I called for Titus, and sent with a brother. Has Titus taken advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? not in the same steps?? Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? before God in Christ we speak: and all things, beloved, for your building up. For I am afraid, lest somehow, having come, I find you not such; as I will, and I find you such as ye wish not: lest somehow, strifes, jealousies, wraths, intrigues, calumnies, whisperings, inflations, derangements: Lest, coming again, my God should humble me with you, and I shall mourn for many of them having sinned before, and not having repented for uncleanness, and fornication, and licentiousness which they committed.
But I make known to you, brethren, the good news announced by me that it is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, neither was I taught, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. read more. For ye heard of my turning about when in Judaism, that in excess I drove out the church of God, and laid it waste: And I advanced in Judaism above many like in my race, being more abundantly zealous of paternal traditions.
And I advanced in Judaism above many like in my race, being more abundantly zealous of paternal traditions. And when God was contented, having separated me from my mother's womb, and having called me, by his grace,
And when God was contented, having separated me from my mother's womb, and having called me, by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might announce him the good news in the nations; I consulted not with flesh and blood:
To reveal his Son in me, that I might announce him the good news in the nations; I consulted not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them sent before me; but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus.
Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them sent before me; but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus. Then after three years I came up to Jerusalem to examine Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I came up to Jerusalem to examine Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I came up to Jerusalem to examine Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I came up to Jerusalem to examine Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. And other of the sect I saw not, except James the Lord's brother.
And other of the sect I saw not, except James the Lord's brother. And what I write to you, behold, before God, that I lie not. read more. Then came I to the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face to the churches of Judea there in Christ.
And I went up according to revelation, and placed before them the good news which I proclaim in the nations, but apart to them highly esteemed, lest I run in vain, or ran.
And I went up according to revelation, and placed before them the good news which I proclaim in the nations, but apart to them highly esteemed, lest I run in vain, or ran. But neither Titus, with me, being a Greek, was forced to be circumcised:
But neither Titus, with me, being a Greek, was forced to be circumcised: And through false brethren introduced privately, who came in privately to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might reduce us to slavery:
And through false brethren introduced privately, who came in privately to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might reduce us to slavery: To whom we yielded in subjection, not for an hour; that the truth of the good news might remain with you. read more. And from them seeming to be something, (whatever they were, it concerns me nothing: God receives not man's face:) for they seeming entrusted nothing to me: But on the contrary, having seen that I have been entrusted with the good news of uncircumcision, as Peter of circumcision; (For be having been energetic in Peter for the mission of circumcision, was energetic also in me for the nations:) And having known the grace given to me, James, and Cephas, and John, seeming to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hands of communion; that we for the nations, and they for the circumcision.
Are ye so unwise? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now completed in the flesh?
And ye know that through weakness of the flesh I announced the good news to you before.
Tell me, those wishing to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Which things are spoken figuratively: for these are the two covenants; one truly from mount Sinai, begetting to bondage, which is Agar. For Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and now stands in the same rank With Jerusalem, and is in a servile condition with her children.
For Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and now stands in the same rank With Jerusalem, and is in a servile condition with her children.
Ye were neglected from Christ, whoever are justified in the law; ye have fallen from grace.
And I, brethren, if I yet proclaim circumcision, why am I. yet driven out? therefore the offence of the cross is left unemployed.
See ye how large letters I wrote to you with mine own hand.
For neither they being circumcised themselves observe the law; but they wish you to be circumcised, that they might boast in your flesh.
The eyes of your understanding enlightened; for you to know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the holy ones,
To me, the least of all the holy ones, was this grace given, to announce the good news in the nations, the untraceable riches of Christ.
Being darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God by ignorance being in them, by the hardness of their heart;
Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father;
For the wrestling is not to us against blood and flesh, but against beginnings, against powers, against the chiefs of the world of darkness of this life, against spiritual things of wickedness in heavenly things.
Circumcision done the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; For zeal, driving out the church; for justice in the law, not to be found fault with.
And I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that once already ye recovered new vigor; for thinking of me, upon whom ye were thinking, and ye had not time.
And ye also know, Philippians, that in the beginning of the good news, when I went out from Macedonia, no church participated with me in the word of donation and accepting, except ye alone. For also in Thessalonica, and once, and twice, ye sent to my necessity.
And I have all, and abound: I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you, a smell of sweet odor, a sacrifice acceptable, pleasing to God.
Returning thanks to the Father, having rendered us fitting for the portion of the lot of the holy in light: Who saved us from the power of darkness, and transferred into the kingdom of the Son of his love: read more. In whom we have redemption by his blood, the remission of sins:
That I might manifest, as is fitting for me to speak.
For they themselves proclaim of us what entrance we have to you, and how ye turned to God from images to serve the living and true God;
For they themselves proclaim of us what entrance we have to you, and how ye turned to God from images to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from the heavens, whom be raised from the dead, Jesus, saving us from coming wrath.
And to wait for his Son from the heavens, whom be raised from the dead, Jesus, saving us from coming wrath.
But also having suffered before, and having been injured, as ye know, among the Philippians, we acted freely in our God to speak to you the good news of God with much contest.
But also having suffered before, and having been injured, as ye know, among the Philippians, we acted freely in our God to speak to you the good news of God with much contest.
For ye remember, brethren, our fatigue and toil: for also working night and day, not to overload any of you, we proclaimed to you the good news of God. Ye witnesses, and God, how holily and justly and unblamably we were to you the believing:
For you to walk worthy of God, calling you into his kingdom and glory.
For ye, brethren, were imitators of the churches of God being in Judea in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things by your own race, as they also by the Jews:
And that ye be ambitions to remain quiet, and attend to your own things, and work with your own hands, as we enjoined you; That ye should walk becomingly to them without, and have need of nothing.
And I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, having strengthened me, for he deemed me faithful, having set me in the service; Being before slandering, expelling, and an abuser: but I was commiserated, because I did, not knowing, in unbelief. read more. And the grace of our Lord superabounded with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Faithful the word, and worthy of all acceptance, for Christ Jesus came into the world to save the sinful; of whom I am first. But for this was I commiserated, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a model to them about to believe on him to eternal life.
Them having sinned rebuke before all, that the rest also have fear.
I have grace to God, whom I serve from the forefathers in pure consciousness, as I have continual remembrance concerning thee in my prayers night and day;
A certain of them said, their own prophet, The Cretians always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies.
Not of works in justice which we did; but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renovation of the Holy Spirit;
For ye have not come to the mount being handled, and burned with fire, and to duskiness, and to darkness, and to a violent storm,
Praised the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy having begotten us again to a living hope, by the rising up of Jesus Christ from the dead,
And the longsuffering of our Lord deem ye salvation; as also our dearly beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you;
What was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we beheld, and our own hands felt, concerning the word of life;
Morish
This apostle was of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of pure descent, born at Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, a fact which gave to him the privilege of Roman citizenship. He was a disciple of Gamaliel and a strict Pharisee. He is first introduced to us as a young man, by name SAUL, at whose feet the witnesses who stoned Stephen laid their clothes. He became afterwards a violent persecutor of the saints, both of men and women, acting with great zeal, thinking he was doing God's service. His conversion as the effect of the Lord appearing to him was unique, and he was so completely changed that he became at once as bold for Christ as before he had been a persecutor of Christ in the persons of His saints. He immediately preached in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. This was the distinctive point of his testimony. As the Jews sought his life at Damascus, he departed into Arabia, where doubtless he had deep exercise of heart and learnt more of the Lord.
After three years he went up to see Peter at Jerusalem, where he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Jews again seeking his life, he was conducted to Caesarea, and sent to Tarsus, his native place. From thence he was fetched by Barnabas to go to Antioch, where the gospel had been effectual, and there they both laboured. After having, in company with Barnabas, taken supplies to Jerusalem (his second visit), on occasion of a dearth, he commenced his first missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor. He and Barnabas returned to Antioch, where he remained 'a long time.' On a dispute arising as to Gentile converts being circumcised, he went with Barnabas to Jerusalem concerning that question, and returned to Antioch. This city had become a sort of centre of the activity of the Spirit. Being far from Jerusalem it was less influenced by Judaising tendencies, though communion with the saints there was maintained.
Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece were the sphere of Paul's second missionary journey. Having differed from Barnabas, because the latter wished to take John with them (who had left them on the first journey), Paul selected Silas for his companion, and departed with the full fellowship of the brethren. During part of this journey Timothy was one of the company. He abode a year and a half at Corinth, where he wrote the two EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS. He now visited Jerusalem at the feast, and returned to Antioch. He took his third missionary journey through Galatia and Phrygia. When he visited Ephesus he separated the disciples from the synagogue, and they met in the school of Tyrannus. At Ephesus he wrote the FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS, and probably the EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. After the tumult raised by Demetrius he went to Macedonia, and there wrote the SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. He again visited Corinth and wrote the EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.
The Jews seeking his life, Paul went through Macedonia, sailed from Philippi, and preached at Troas. At Miletus he gave a solemn parting address to the elders of Ephesus, and took his leave of the disciples at Tyre, where he was cautioned not to go to Jerusalem. At Caesarea also he was warned of what awaited him at Jerusalem, but he avowed that he was ready not only to be bound, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Paul arrived at Jerusalem just before Pentecost. In order to prove himself a good Jew he was advised by the brethren to associate himself with four men who had a vow on them, and to be at charges with them. But while carrying this out he was seized by some Asiatic Jews, and beaten, but was rescued by Lysias, the Roman chief captain. After appearing before the council, and again being rescued by him, he was for safety sent off by night to Caesarea. There his cause was heard by Felix, who kept him prisoner, hoping to be bribed to release him. Two years later, when superseded by Festus, Felix, to please the Jews, left Paul in bonds. On appearing before Festus, to save himself from being sent to Jerusalem, there being a plot to waylay and murder him, Paul appealed to the emperor. His case having been heard by Agrippa and Festus, he was finally remitted to Rome. The ship, however, was wrecked at Malta, where they wintered, all on board having been saved.
On his arrival at Rome, Paul sent for the chief men of the Jews and preached to them: some of them believed, though the majority rejected God's grace (thus fulfilling Isa 6:9-10), which should henceforth go to the Gentiles. He, though still a prisoner, abode two years in his own hired house. There he wrote the EPISTLES TO THE COLOSSIANS, the EPHESIANS, the PHILIPPIANS, and also to PHILEMON.
The history of Paul is thus far given in the Acts of the Apostles, but there are intimations in the later epistles that after the two years at Rome he was liberated. His movements from that time are not definitely recorded; apparently he visited Ephesus and Macedonia, 1Ti 1:3; wrote the FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY; visited Crete, Tit 1:5; and Nicopolis, Tit 3:12; wrote the EPISTLE TO TITUS (the early writers say that he went to Spain, which we know he desired to do, Ro 15:24,28); visited Troas and Miletus, 2Ti 4:13,20; wrote the EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS; and when a prisoner at Rome the second time, wrote the SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY, when expecting his death. Early writers say that he was beheaded with the sword, which is probable, as he was a Roman citizen.
Paul received his commission directly from Christ who appeared to him in glory, and this source of his apostleship he carefully insists on in the Epistle to the Galatians. New light as to the church in its heavenly character came out by Paul, who was God's special apostle for that purpose. To him was revealed the truth that the assembly was the body of Christ, and the doctrine of new creation in Christ Jesus, in which evidently there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. This caused great persecution from the Jews and from Judaising teachers, who could not readily give up the law, nor endure the thought of Gentiles having an equal place with themselves. This Paul insisted on: it was his mission as apostle to the Gentiles. To Paul also was committed what he calls "my gospel:" this was 'the gospel of the glory' (Christ in glory who put away the Christian's sins being presented in it as the last Adam, the Son of God). 2Co 4:4. It not only brings salvation, great as that is, but it separates the believer from earth, and conforms him to Christ as He is in glory.
Paul was an eminent and faithful servant of Christ. As such he was content to be nothing, that Christ might be glorified. To the Thessalonians he was gentle 'as a nurse cherisheth her children.' 1Th 2:7. He was severe however to the Corinthians when they were allowing sin in their midst, and to them he had to assert his apostolic authority when traducers were seeking to nullify his influence among them. To the Galatians he was still more severe: they were in danger of being shipwrecked as to faith by false Judaising teachers, who were undermining the truth of the gospel.
In the epistles we get a few glimpses of the inner life of Paul. After having been caught up into the third heavens, he prayed for the removal of the thorn in the flesh which had been given him lest he should be puffed up, and was told that Christ's grace was sufficient for him, he could say, "most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.'' 2Co 12:9-10. He also could say, "To me to live is Christ;" and "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus." Php 3:13-14. As a martyr he reached that goal. The catalogue he gives of his privations and sufferings in 2Co 11:23-28 discloses the fact that but a small part of his gigantic labours is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles.
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And he will say, Go, and say to this people, Hearing, hear ye, and ye shall not understand; and seeing, see ye, and ye shall not know. Make the heart of this people fat and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes, lest they shall see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and their heart shall understand and turn back and be healed to them.
Whenever I go into Spain, I will come to you, for I hope passing through to see you: and by you to be sent forward there, if first from part I might be filled with you.
Therefore having completed this, and sealed to them this fruit, I will come away by you to Spain.
In whom the God of this world blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that the enlightening of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, does not enlighten them.
Are they Christ's servants? (I speak being light-headed) I above; in toils more abundant, in blows more excessively, in watchings more abundantly, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times I received forty, except one. read more. Thrice was I scourged with rods, once was I stoned, thrice suffered I shipwreck, I have made a night and day in the deep; In journeys often, in dangers of rivers, in dangers of robbers, in dangers of the family, in dangers from the nations, in dangers in the city, in dangers in solitude, in dangers in the sea, in dangers with false brethren; In fatigue and toil, in watchfulnesses often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides things outside, my distraction daily, the care of all the churches.
And he said to me, My grace suffices thee: for my power is perfected in weakness. Therefore very willingly will I boast rather in my weaknesses, that Christ's power may lodge upon me. Therefore am I contented in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessities in expulsions, in extremities for Christ: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Brethren, I reckon not myself to have been overtaken: but one, truly forgetting things behind, and stretching still farther to things before, I pursue toward the scope for the prize of combat of the calling above of God in Christ Jesus.
But we were gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse should cherish her children:
As I besought thee to remain in Ephesus, going into Macedonia, that thou mightest proclaim to some not to teach another doctrine,
The cloak which I left in Troas with Carpus, coming, bring, and the books, chiefly the parchments.
Erastus remained in Corinth: and Trophimus I left in Miletum sick.
For this I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest rectify things left behind, and set elders in the city, as I directed thee:
When I shall send Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, be earnest to come to me at Nicopolis: for there have I chosen to pass the winter.
Smith
(small, little). Nearly all the original materials for the life St. Paul are contained in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Pauline epistles. Paul was born in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. (It is not improbable that he was born between A.D. 0 and A.D. 5.) Up to the time of his going forth as an avowed preacher of Christ to the Gentiles, the apostle was known by the name of Saul. This was the Jewish name which he received from his Jewish parents. But though a Hebrew of the Hebrews, he was born in a Gentile city. Of his parents we know nothing, except that his father was of the tribe of Benjamin,
and a Pharisee,
that Paul had acquired by some means the Roman franchise ("I was free born,")
and that he was settled in Tarsus. At Tarsus he must have learned to use the Greek language with freedom and mastery in both speaking and writing. At Tarsus also he learned that trade of "tent-maker,"
at which he afterward occasionally wrought with his own hands. There was a goat's-hair cloth called cilicium manufactured in Cilicia, and largely used for tents, Saul's trade was probably that of making tents of this hair cloth. When St. Paul makes his defence before his countrymen at Jerusalem,
... he tells them that, though born in Tarsus he had been "brought up" in Jerusalem. He must therefore, have been yet a boy when was removed, in all probability for the sake of his education, to the holy city of his fathers. He learned, he says, at the feet of Gamaliel." He who was to resist so stoutly the usurpations of the law had for his teacher one of the most eminent of all the doctors of the law. Saul was yet "a young man,"
when the Church experienced that sudden expansion which was connected with the ordaining of the seven appointed to serve tables, and with the special power and inspiration of Stephen. Among those who disputed with Stephen were some "of them of Cilicia." We naturally think of Saul as having been one of these, when we find him afterward keeping the clothes of those suborned witnesses who, according to the law,
De 17:7
were the first to cast stones at Stephen. "Saul," says the sacred writer significantly "was consenting unto his death." Saul's conversion. A.D. 37.--The persecutor was to be converted. Having undertaken to follow up the believers "unto strange cities." Saul naturally turned his thoughts to Damascus. What befell him as he journeyed thither is related in detail three times in the Acts, first by the historian in his own person, then in the two addresses made by St. Paul at Jerusalem and before Agrippa. St. Luke's statement is to be read in
where, however, the words "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks," included in the English version, ought to be omitted (as is done in the Revised Version). The sudden light from heaven; the voice of Jesus speaking with authority to his persecutor; Saul struck to the ground, blinded, overcome; the three-days suspense; the coming of Ananias as a messenger of the Lord and Saul's baptism, --these were the leading features at the great event, and in these we must look for the chief significance of the conversion. It was in Damascus that he was received into the church by Ananias, and here to the astonishment of all his hearers, he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, declaring him to be the Son of God. The narrative in the Acts tells us simply that he was occupied in this work, with increasing vigor, for "many days," up to the time when imminent danger drove him from Damascus. From the Epistle to the Galatians,
we learn that the many days were at least a good part of "three years," A.D. 37-40, and that Saul, not thinking it necessary to procure authority to teach from the apostles that were before him, went after his conversion to Arabia, and returned from thence to us. We know nothing whatever of this visit to Arabia; but upon his departure from Damascus we are again on a historical ground, and have the double evidence of St. Luke in the Acts of the apostle in his Second Epistle the Corinthians. According to the former, the Jews lay in wait for Saul, intending to kill him, and watched the gates of the city that he might not escape from them. Knowing this, the disciples took him by night and let him down in a basket from the wall. Having escaped from Damascus, Saul betook himself to Jerusalem (A.D. 40), and there "assayed to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and believed not he was a disciple." Barnabas' introduction removed the fears of the apostles, and Saul "was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem." But it is not strange that the former persecutor was soon singled out from the other believers as the object of a murderous hostility. He was,therefore, again urged to flee; and by way of Caesarea betook himself to his native city, Tarsus. Barnabas was sent on a special mission to Antioch. As the work grew under his hands, he felt the need of help, went himself to Tarsus to seek Saul, and succeeded in bringing him to Antioch. There they labored together unremittingly for a whole year." All this time Saul was subordinate to Barnabas. Antioch was in constant communication with Cilicia, with Cyprus, with all the neighboring countries. The Church was pregnant with a great movement, and time of her delivery was at hand. Something of direct expectation seems to be implied in what is said of the leaders of the Church at Antioch, that they were "ministering to the Lord and fasting," when the Holy Ghost spoke to them: "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." Everything was done with orderly gravity in the sending forth of the two missionaries. Their brethren after fasting and prayer, laid their hands on them, and so they departed. The first missionary journey. A.D. 45-49. --As soon as Barnabas and Saul reached Cyprus they began to "announce the word of God," but at first they delivered their message in the synagogues of the Jews only. When they had gone through the island, from Salamis to Paphos, they were called upon to explain their doctrine to an eminent Gentile, Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, who was converted. Saul's name was now changed to Paul, and he began to take precedence of Barnabas. From Paphos "Paul and his company" set sail for the mainland, and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. Here the heart of their companion John failed him, and he returned to Jerusalem. From Perga they travelled on to a place obscure in secular history, but most memorable in the history of the Kingdom of Christ --Antioch in Pisidia. Rejected by the Jews, they became bold and outspoken, and turned from them to the Gentiles. At Antioch now, as in every city afterward, the unbelieving Jews used their influence with their own adherents among the Gentiles to persuade the authorities or the populace to persecute the apostles and to drive them from the place. Paul and Barnabas now travelled on to Iconium where the occurrences at Antioch were repeated, and from thence to the Lycaonian country which contained the cities Lystra and Derbe. Here they had to deal with uncivilized heathen. At Lystra the healing of a cripple took place. Thereupon these pagans took the apostles for gods, calling Barnabas, who was of the more imposing presence, Jupiter, and Paul, who was the chief speaker, Mercurius. Although the people of Lystra had been so ready to worship Paul and Barnabas, the repulse of their idolatrous instincts appears to have provoked them, and they allowed themselves to be persuaded into hostility be Jews who came from Antioch and Iconium, so that they attacked Paul with stones, and thought they had killed him. He recovered, however as the disciples were standing around him, and went again into the city. The next day he left it with Barnabas, and went to Derbe, and thence they returned once more to Lystra, and so to Iconium and Antioch. In order to establish the churches after their departure they solemnly appointed "elders" in every city. Then they came down to the coast, and from Attalia, they sailed; home to Antioch in Syria, where they related the successes which had been granted to them, and
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The hand of the witnesses shall be at first upon him to put him to death, and the hand of all the people afterward. And put thou away the evil from the midst of thee.
And he said, An hundred baths of oil. And he said to him, Take thou thy book, and having quickly sat down, write fifty.
And having cast out of the city, they stoned: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul.
And one of them having risen, Agabus by name, signified by the Holy Spirit a great famine was about to be upon the whole habitable globe: which was during Claudius Caesar.
And certain having come down from Judea taught the brethren, That except ye be circumcised by Moses custom, ye cannot be saved. Therefore dissension and no small discussion having been to Paul and Barnabas with them, they arranged for Paul and Barnabas to go up, and certain others of them, to the sent and elders in Jerusalem about this question. read more. Truly therefore the sent by the church passed through Phenice and Samaria, relating the turning back of the nations: and they made great joy to all the brethren. And having arrived at Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the sent and elders, and they announced what God did with them. And certain of them from the sect of the Pharisees having believed, rose up, saying, That they must be circumcised, and to enjoin to keep the law of Moses. And the sent and elders were gathered together to see about this word. And much discussion having been, Peter having risen up, said to them, Men, brethren, ye know that from ancient days God chose among us, through my month for the nations to hear the word of good news, and believe. And God the knower of hearts testified to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, as also us; And separated nothing between us and also them, by faith having purified their hearts. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But by grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we believe to be saved, as also they. And all the multitude were silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul, recounting what signs and wonders God did in the nations through them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men, brethren, hear me: Simeon related how God first reviewed to take from the nations a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree: as has been written, After these will I return, and rebuild the tent of David, having fallen; and its things undermined will I rebuild, and set it upright: So that they remaining of men might seek out the Lord, and all the nations upon whom my name has been called upon them, says the Lord, making all these. Known to God are all his works from eternity. Wherefore I judge, not to molest them, from the nations turning back to God: But to send to them, to keep off from pollutions of images, and harlotry, and strangulation, and blood. For Moses of ancient generations has them proclaiming him in every city, being read in the synagogues in every sabbath. Then it seemed fitting to the sent and the elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren: Having written by their hand thus; The sent and elders and brethren to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia from the nations, health: Since we heard that certain of us having come out have troubled you with words, destroying your souls, saying, To be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we sent no word: It seemed fitting to us, having been unanimous, to send to you chosen men with our dearly beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men having delivered up their souls for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore have we sent Judas and Silas, and these by the word announcing these things. For it seemed fitting to the Holy Spirit, and to us, for no more burden to be put upon you but the necessities of these; To keep off from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and strangulation, and harlotry: from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
And Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and announcing good news, with many others, the word of the Lord. And after certain days said Paul to Barnabas, Now having turned back, let us review our brethren in every city in which we announced the word of the Lord, how they hold. read more. And Barnabas purposed to take with them John, called Mark. But Paul deemed worthy, having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and not having come with them to the work, not to take him with them. Therefore there was an incitement, so that they separated from one another: and Barnabas, having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus; And Paul, having chosen Silas, went forth, having been delivered to the grace of God by the brethren.
And suddenly was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and the bonds of all were let loose. And the jailor being awakened, and having seen the doors of the prison opened, having drawn a sword, was about to kill himself, supposing the imprisoned to have fled. read more. And Paul called with a great voice, saying, Thou shouldest do no injury to thyself; for we are all here. And having asked for a light, he rushed in, and being trembling, fell before Paul and Silas, And bringing them out, he said, Lords, what must I do that I might be saved And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake to him the word of the Lord, and to all in his house. And having taken them in that hour of the night, he washed out the blows; and was immersed, he and all his, immediately. And having brought them up to his house, he set a table before, and rejoiced with the entire household, having believed God.
And after these Paul having departed from Athens, came to Corinth;
And because being of the same trade, he remained with them, and wrought: for they were by trade tentmakers.
Saying, This one persuades men to worship God against the law. And Paul being about to open the mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If therefore it were truly any injustice or wicked, criminal action, O Jews, against the word, I should have borne with you:
And Paul yet having remained sufficient days, having taken leave of the brethren, sailed out to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn the head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
And having made a certain time, he came out, passing in order the Galatian country and Phrygia, supporting all the disciples.
And having passed through those parts, and having besought them by much speech, he came into Greece. And having made three months; an insidious plot having been for him by the Jews, being about to sail to Syria, there was a purpose to return through Macedonia.
And when they came to him, he said to them, Ye know, from the first day in which I embarked for Asia, how I was with you all the time Serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears, and temptations, having happened to me by the insidious plots of the Jews: read more. how I concealed nothing of things profitable, not to announce to you, and teach you publicly, and in the houses, Testifying to both Jews, and Greeks, repentance towards God, and the faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I, bound in the spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things going to happen to me in it; But that the Holy Spirit testifies in the city, saying that bonds and pressures await me. But the word of none do I make mine own, neither have I my soul highly prized to myself, in order to finish my course with joy, and the service which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the good news of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that all ye shall see my face no more, among whom I passed through, proclaiming the kingdom of God. Wherefore I testify to you in this day, that I pure from the blood of all. For I concealed not to announce to you all the counsel of God. Attend therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit set you inspectors, to feed the church of God, which he acquired by his own blood. For I know this, that there shall come in after my departure grievous wolves to you, not sparing the flock. And of yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to tear away disciples after them. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that the space of three years night and day I ceased not reminding each one with tears. And now I commit you, brethren, to God, and to the word of his grace, being able to build up, and give you inheritance among all the consecrated. Silver or gold, or clothing, of none have I eagerly desired. And ye yourselves know, that to my necessities, and to those being with me, these hands served. I shewed you all things, that so being wearied ye must support the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that himself said, It is happy to give rather than receive.
And we having come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
And other cried what other in the crowd: and not being able to know certainly for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the camp. And when he was upon the steps, it happened, he was borne by the soldiers for the violence of the crowd. read more. For the multitude of the people followed, crying, Take him away. And being about to be brought into the camp, Paul says to the captain of a thousand, Is it lawful for me to speak anything to thee? and he said, Hast thou knowledge in Greek? Art not thou then the Egyptian, who before these days having risen up, and having brought into the desert four thousand men of murderers? And Paul said, I am truly a man a Jew, a Tarsean of Cilicia, a citizen of no undistinguished city: and I beseech of thee to give way for me to speak to the people. And having given way, Paul standing upon the steps, shook with the hand to the people. And being much silence, he spake in the Hebrew dialect, saying,
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear my defence to you.
And they vociferating, and casting garments away, and throwing a cloud of dust into the air,
And Paul having known that one part is of the Sadducees, and the other of the Pharisees, cried in the council, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, son of a Pharisee: for the hope and rising up of the dead am I judged.
By power of signs and wonders, by power of the Spirit of God, so that I from Jerusalem, and round about even to Illyricum, have completed the good news of Christ.
My love with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
And with me all the brethren, to the churches of Galatia:
Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them sent before me; but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus. Then after three years I came up to Jerusalem to examine Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
And ye know that through weakness of the flesh I announced the good news to you before. And my temptation in my flesh, ye counted not as nothing, nor spurned; but as an angel of God ye received me, as Christ Jesus. read more. What then was your happiness? for I testify to you, that, if possible, having plucked out your eyes, ye would have given to me.
In which I suffer ill treatment, to bonds, as an evil doer; but the word of God has not been bound.
Watsons
PAUL was born at Tarsus, the principal city of Cilicia, and was by birth both a Jew and a citizen of Rome, Ac 21:39; 22:25. He was of the tribe of Benjamin, and of the sect of the Pharisees, Php 3:5. In his youth he appears to have been taught the art of tent making, Ac 18:3; but we must remember that among the Jews of those days a liberal education was often, accompanied by instruction in some mechanical trade. It is probable that St. Paul laid the foundation of those literary attainments, for which he was so eminent in the future part of his life, at his native city of Tarsus; and he afterward studied the law of Moses, and the traditions of the elders, at Jerusalem, under Gamaliel, a celebrated rabbi, Ac 22:4. St. Paul is not mentioned in the Gospels; nor is it known whether he ever heard our Saviour preach, or saw him perform any miracle. His name first occurs in the account given in the Acts of the martyrdom of St. Stephen, A.D. 34, to which he is said to have consented, Ac 8:1: he is upon that occasion called a young man; but we are no where informed what was then his precise age. The death of St. Stephen was followed by a severe persecution of the church at Jerusalem, and St. Paul became distinguished among its enemies by his activity and violence, Ac 8:3. Not contented with displaying his hatred to the Gospel in Judea, he obtained authority from the high priest to go to Damascus, and to bring back with him bound any Christians whom he might find in that city. As he was upon his journey thither, A.D. 35, his miraculous conversion took place, the circumstances of which are recorded in Acts ix, and are frequently alluded to in his epistles, 1Co 15:9; Ga 1:13; 1Ti 1:12-13.
Soon after St. Paul was baptized at Damascus, he went into Arabia; but we are not informed how long he remained there. He returned to Damascus; and being supernaturally qualified to be a preacher of the Gospel, he immediately entered upon his ministry in that city. The boldness and success with which he enforced the truths of Christianity so irritated the unbelieving Jews, that they resolved to put him to death, Ac 9:23; but, this design being known, the disciples conveyed him privately out of Damascus, and he went to Jerusalem, A.D. 38. The Christians of Jerusalem, remembering St. Paul's former hostility to the Gospel, and having no authentic account of any change in his sentiments or conduct, at first refused to receive him; but being assured by Barnabas of St. Paul's real conversion, and of his exertions at Damascus, they acknowledged him as a disciple, Ac 9:27. He remained only fifteen days among them, Ga 1:18; and he saw none of the Apostles except St. Peter and St. James. It is probable that the other Apostles were at this time absent from Jerusalem, exercising their ministry at different places. The zeal with which St. Paul preached at Jerusalem had the same effect as at Damascus: he became so obnoxious to the Hellenistic Jews, that they began to consider how they might kill him, Ac 9:29; which when the brethren knew, they thought it right that he should leave the city. They accompanied him to Caesarea, and thence he went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, where he preached the faith which once he destroyed, Ga 1:21,23.
Hitherto the preaching of St. Paul, as well as of the other Apostles and teachers, had been confined to the Jews; but the conversion of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, A.D. 40, having convinced all the Apostles that "to the Gentiles, also, God had granted repentance unto life," St. Paul was soon after conducted by Barnabas from Tarsus, which had probably been the principal place of his residence since he left Jerusalem, and they both began to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles at Antioch, A.D. 42, Ac 11:25. Their preaching was attended with great success. The first Gentile church was now established at Antioch; and in that city, and at this time, the disciples were first called Christians, Ac 11:26. When these two Apostles had been thus employed about a year, a prophet called Agabus predicted an approaching famine, which would affect the whole land of Judea. Upon the prospect of this calamity, the Christians of Antioch made a contribution for their brethren in Judea, and sent the money to the elders at Jerusalem by St. Paul and Barnabas, A.D. 44, Ac 11:28, &c. This famine happened soon after in the fourth or fifth year of the Emperor Claudius. It is supposed that St. Paul had the vision, mentioned in Ac 22:17, while he was now at Jerusalem this second time after his conversion.
St. Paul and Barnabas, having executed their commission, returned to Antioch; and soon after their arrival in that city they were separated, by the express direction of the Holy Ghost, from the other Christian teachers and prophets, for the purpose of carrying the glad tidings of the Gospel to the Gentiles of various countries, Ac 13:1. Thus divinely appointed to this important office, they set out from Antioch, A.D. 45, and preached the Gospel successively at Salamis and Paphos, two cities of the isle of Cyprus, at Perga in Pamphylia, Antioch in Pisidia, and at Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, three cities of Lycaonia. They returned to Antioch in Syria, A.D. 47, nearly by the same route. This first apostolical journey of St. Paul, in which he was accompanied and assisted by Barnabas, is supposed to have occupied about two years; and in the course of it many, both Jews and Gentiles, were converted to the Gospel.
Paul and Barnabas continued at Antioch a considerable time; and while they were there, a dispute arose between them and some Jewish Christians of Judea. These men asserted, that the Gentile converts could not obtain salvation through the Gospel, unless they were circumcised; Paul and Barnabas maintained the contrary opinion, Ac 15:1-2. This dispute was carried on for some time with great earnestness; and it being a question in which not only the present but all future Gentile converts were concerned, it was thought right that St. Paul and Barnabas, with some others, should go up to Jerusalem to consult the Apostles and elders concerning it. They passed through Phenicia and Samaria, and upon their arrival at Jerusalem, A.D. 49, a council was assembled for the purpose of discussing this important point, Ga 2:1. St. Peter and St. James the less were present, and delivered their sentiments, which coincided with those of St. Paul and Barnabas; and after much deliberation it was agreed, that neither circumcision, nor conformity to any part of the ritual law of Moses, was necessary in Gentile converts; but that it should be recommended to them to abstain from certain specified things prohibited by that law, lest their indulgence in them should give offence to their brethren of the circumcision, who were still very zealous for the observance of the ceremonial part of their ancient religion. This decision, which was declared to have the sanction of the Holy Ghost, was communicated to the Gentile Christians of Syria and Cilicia, by a letter written in the name of the Apostles, elders, and whole church at Jerusalem, and conveyed by Judas and Silas, who accompanied St. Paul and Barnabas to Antioch for that purpose.
St. Paul, having preached a short time at Antioch, proposed to Barnabas that they should visit the churches which they had founded in different cities, Ac 15:36. Barnabas readily consented; but while they were preparing for the journey, there arose a disagreement between them, which ended in their separation. In consequence of this dispute with Barnabas, St. Paul chose Silas for his companion, and they set out together from Antioch, A.D. 50. They travelled through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, and then came to Derbe and Lystra, Acts 16. Thence they went through Phrygia and Galatia; and, being desirous of going into Asia Propria, or the Proconsular Asia, they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost. They therefore went into Mysia; and, not being permitted by the Holy Ghost to go into Bithynia as they had intended, they went to Troas. While St. Paul was there, a vision appeared to him in the night: "There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Ma
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And Saul was assenting to his murder. And in that day was a great expulsion upon the church in Jerusalem; and all were scattered up and down in the countries of Judea and Samaria, except the sent.
And Saul abused the church, going into houses, and drawing out men and women, delivered to prison.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and murder against the disciples of the Lord, having come to the chief priest,
And when sufficient days were completed, the Jews counselled together to put him to death:
And Barnabas having taken him, brought him to the sent, and recounted to them how in the way he saw the Lord, and that he spake to him, and how in Damascus he spake freely in the name of Jesus.
And he spake and sought out with the Greeks; but they purposed to kill him.
And Barnabas came forth to Tarsus, to seek Saul And having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it was for a whole year they were assembled together in the churches, and taught a sufficient crowd. And the disciples were Christians by divine intimation first in Antioch.
And one of them having risen, Agabus by name, signified by the Holy Spirit a great famine was about to be upon the whole habitable globe: which was during Claudius Caesar.
And certain prophets and teachers were in the church being in Antioch; as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And certain having come down from Judea taught the brethren, That except ye be circumcised by Moses custom, ye cannot be saved. Therefore dissension and no small discussion having been to Paul and Barnabas with them, they arranged for Paul and Barnabas to go up, and certain others of them, to the sent and elders in Jerusalem about this question.
And after certain days said Paul to Barnabas, Now having turned back, let us review our brethren in every city in which we announced the word of the Lord, how they hold.
And because being of the same trade, he remained with them, and wrought: for they were by trade tentmakers.
And Paul said, I am truly a man a Jew, a Tarsean of Cilicia, a citizen of no undistinguished city: and I beseech of thee to give way for me to speak to the people.
Who drove out this way even to death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women.
And it was to me returning to Jerusalem, and praying in the temple, I was in a deep trance:
And as he held him before with thongs, Paul said to the centurion standing by, Is it lawful to scourge a man a Roman, and uncondemned?
Therefore God delivered them to the suffering of ignominy: for also their females changed the natural use into that against generation: Likewise also males, leaving the natural use of the female, were set on fire in their longing for one another; males with males working deformity, and the retribution which was needed receiving in themselves for their erring. read more. And as they chose not to have God in knowledge, God delivered them to an adulterated purpose, to do things not fitting; Having been filled with all injustice, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, badness; full of envy, slaughter, strife, deceit, malignity, Whisperers, slanderers, odious to God, abusers of power, proud, tumultuous, inventors of injuries, disobedient to parents, Destitute of understanding, unsteady, devoid of natural affection, implacable, merciless: Who knowing the justice of God, that they doing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but also approve those doing.
Therefore teaching another, teachest thou not thyself proclaiming not to steal, stealest thou? Speaking not to commit adultery, committest thou adultery? abhorring images, committest thou sacrilege? read more. Thou who boastest in the law, by transgression of the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God by you is blasphemed in the nations, as it has been written.
For whom he before knew, he also before determined of the form of the image of his Son, for him to be first born in many brethren. And whom he before determined, these he also called: and whom he called, these he also justified: and whom he justified, these he also glorified.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I have been the brass of echoes, and the shouting cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries, and all knowledge; and if I have all faith to remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. read more. And if I feed out all my goods, and if I deliver my body that I be burned, and have not love, I am profited nothing. Love is slow to anger, possesses kindness; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, It demeans itself not unbecomingly, seeks not the things of itself, is not irritated, reckons no evil; Rejoices not at injustice, and rejoices with the truth; Covers all things, believes all, hopes all things, endures all. ' Love never falters: but whether gifts of prophecies, they shall be left unemployed; whether tongues, they shall cease; whether knowledge, it shall be left unemployed. For we know by parts, and we prophesy by parts. And when the perfected come, then shall that by parts be left unemployed.
For I am the least of the sent, who am not fit to be called sent, for I drove out the church of God.
And coming to Troas for the good news of Christ, and a door having been opened to me in the Lord, I have had no relaxation to my spirit, in my not finding Titus my brother: but having taken leave of them, I went out to Macedonia.
And we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God given in the churches of Macedonia;
I called for Titus, and sent with a brother. Has Titus taken advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? not in the same steps??
For ye heard of my turning about when in Judaism, that in excess I drove out the church of God, and laid it waste:
Then after three years I came up to Jerusalem to examine Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
And only they had heard, That he then driving us out, now announces the good news, the faith which he then felt the absence of.
Then after fourteen years, again went I up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, having taken together Titus.
One body, and one Spirit, as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one immersion, read more. One God and Father of all, who over all, and through all, and in you all. And to each one of us was grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
And fornication, and all uncleanness, or overreaching, let it not be named with you, as becomes the holy; And obscenity, and silly discourse, or wit, which things concern not; but rather thankfulness. read more. For this ye are knowing, that every fornicator, or unclean, or covetous person, who is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let none lead you astray with vain words: for by these things comes the anger of God upon the sons of disobedience.
Circumcision done the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
All the holy greet you, and chiefly they from Caesar's house.
Whom I sent to you for this same, that he might know the things concerning you, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, the faithful and dearly beloved brother, who is of you. They shall make known to you all the thing here. read more. Aristarchus my fellowcaptive greets you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (for whom ye received commands: if he come to you, receive him;) And Jesus, called Justus, they being of the circumcision. These only fellow workers in the kingdom of God, which were a consolation to me. Epaphras, who of you, greets you, a servant of Christ, always contending for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfected and completed in all the will of God.
A certain of them said, their own prophet, The Cretians always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies. This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely, that they may be sound in the faith;
Remind them to be subordinate to beginnings and powers, to yield obedience to authority, to be prepared for every good work, To slander none, to be without fighting, equitable, showing all meekness to all men. read more. For once we also were unwise disobedient, deceived, being slaves to eager desires and various pleasures, living in vexation and envy, hated, and hating one another.
For once we also were unwise disobedient, deceived, being slaves to eager desires and various pleasures, living in vexation and envy, hated, and hating one another. And when the kindness and philanthropy of our Saviour God was made evident,
And when the kindness and philanthropy of our Saviour God was made evident, Not of works in justice which we did; but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renovation of the Holy Spirit;