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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But Saul persecuted the church, and going from house to house, seizing men and women, committed them to prison.
But Saul increased in power and confounded the Jews living at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
And going to Jerusalem he endeavored to join the disciples; and they all feared him, not believing that he was a disciple.
who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man having called for Barnabas and Saul desired to hear the word of God;
Then the proconsul seeing what was done believed, and was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets have said, For we are his offspring.
and because he was of the same trade continued and labored with them; for they were tent makers.
you yourselves know that these hands have served my necessities and those with me.
I indeed thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazoraean, which I also did at Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were killed I gave my vote against them. read more. And punishing them often in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme, and being exceedingly mad against them, I pursued them even to cities abroad.
And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute.
Be not deceived; evil companionships corrupt good morals.
Are they ministers of Christ? I speak foolishly, I am more; in labors most abundant, in stripes above measure, in imprisonments most abundant, in deaths often; five times I received of the Jews forty [stripes] lacking one, read more. thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice have I been shipwrecked, a night and a day have I spent in the deep; often on journeys, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from [my own] race, in dangers from gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers on the sea, in dangers among false brothers, in labor and weariness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides things without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I am not displeased?
for I neither received it from man nor was I taught it, but by a revelation of Jesus Christ.
circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, as to the law a Pharisee,
A certain one of them, their own poet, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gormandizers.
as also in all his epistles speaking of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest as they also do the other Scriptures to their destruction.
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
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And he said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute.
And Saul arose from the earth, and his eyes being opened he saw nothing; and leading him by the hand they conducted him to Damascus.
And the Lord said to him, Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for [a man] by the name of Saul of Tarsus; for behold, he prays,
And the Lord said to him, Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for [a man] by the name of Saul of Tarsus; for behold, he prays, and has seen a man by the name of Ananias coming and putting a hand on him, that he might receive his sight. read more. And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has power from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name. But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name both before nations and kings, and the children of Israel; for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name.
And when some days had passed, the Jews took counsel to kill him;
but the disciples took him by night and sent him away by the wall, letting him down in a store-basket.
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, entering in and going out at Jerusalem, read more. and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord; and he spoke and disputed with the Hellenists; and they undertook to kill him;
And Cornelius said, From the fourth hour of the day I fasted till this hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in splendid clothing, and said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard and your charities are remembered before God. read more. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon who is called Peter; he lodges at the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea, who when he has come will speak to you. Immediately therefore I sent to you, and you have done well to come. Now therefore we are all present before God to hear all things which God has commanded you. And Peter opening his mouth said, Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, but in every nation he that fears him and does righteousness is acceptable to him. The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching the good news of peace by Jesus Christ,??e is Lord of all,??37 you know; the word which was [preached] through all Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism which John preached,
Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and curing all that were subjugated by the devil, for God was with him; and we are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of Judea, and at Jerusalem, whom also they killed, hanging him on a cross. read more. This [man] did God raise up on the third day, and permitted him to be made manifest, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, to us, who eat and drank with him after he rose from the dead; and he commanded us to preach to the people and testify fully that he is appointed by God the judge of living and dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that every one who believes in him has forgiveness of sins through his name.
and found and brought him to Antioch. And he was with them, and they met a whole year with the church and taught a great multitude; and the disciples first took the name of Christians at Antioch.
And those with Paul, sailing from Paphos, went to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
And Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, said, Men of Israel, and you that fear God, hear. The God of this people chose our fathers, and raised up the people in the exile in the land of Egypt, and brought them out of it with a high arm. read more. And when he had borne with their conduct forty years in the wilderness, and had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he distributed their land to them by lot. And after this he gave judges four hundred and fifty years till Samuel the prophet. And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years; and removing him, he raised up for them David for a king, of whom also he said and testified, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will. Of the posterity of this man, according to his promise, has God raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus; John having preached before his coming the baptism of a change of mind to all the people of Israel. And when John completed his course, he said, Who do you suppose I am? I am not [the Christ]; but behold, there comes after me one the sandal of whose feet I am not worthy to untie. Men and brothers, children of the race of Abraham, and you that fear God, the word of this salvation is sent to you. For those living at Jerusalem, and their rulers, not knowing him and the words of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning [him]; and [although] they found no cause of death [in him], they requested of Pilate that he might be destroyed; and when they had performed all things written of him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and he appeared many days to those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we declare to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this to us their children in raising up Jesus, as it is written also in the first psalm, You are my son, to-day have I begotten you. And that he raised him from the dead never more to return to destruction, he said thus; I will give you the sure promises of David. Wherefore also in another place he says, Thou wilt not suffer thy holy one to see destruction. For David, having in his generation served the will of God, fell asleep, and was gathered to his fathers and saw destruction; but he whom God raised up saw not destruction. Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins, and every one who believes is justified by him from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. See then that what is said by the prophets does not come upon you; Behold, despisers, and wonder and perish, for I perform a work in your days, a work which you shall by no means believe even if one declares it to you. And when they had gone out, [the people] requested that these words might be spoken to them on the next sabbath. And the congregation being dismissed, many of the Jews and pious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who gave them additional instructions, and persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And on the following sabbath almost all the city came together to hear the word of the Lord. And the Jews seeing the multitudes were filled with envy, and contradicted the things said by Paul, disputing and blaspheming. And both Paul and Barnabas speaking boldly said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you; but since you cast it away, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the gentiles. For thus has the Lord commanded us; I have set you for a light of nations, that you should be a salvation even to the end of the earth. And the gentiles hearing this rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed; and the word of the Lord was spread through all the country. But the Jews excited the pious and honorable women, and the first men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out from their limits. And shaking off the dust of their feet against them, they went to Iconium;
And passing through Phrygia and the country of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,
and passing by Mysia they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared by night to Paul; a certain man of Macedonia standing, asking him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us.
Then he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and those that were pious, and in the market every day with those he met. And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him, and some said, What does this trifler mean to say? And others, He seems to be a preacher of strange demons; because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. read more. And laying hold of him they brought him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is which is taught by you? for you bring certain strange things to our ears; we wish therefore to know what these things mean. And all the Athenians and the strangers living there spend their leisure in nothing else but telling or hearing something new. And Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus said, Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are extremely devoted to the worship of demons. For as I passed through, and observed your objects of worship, I found also an altar on which was inscribed, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I declare to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, this [God] being Lord of heaven and earth dwells not in temples made with hands, neither is he served by the hands of men as needing any thing, since he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and he made of one blood every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, determining their appointed times and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might feel after and find him, and indeed he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets have said, For we are his offspring. Being therefore an offspring of God, we ought not to think the Deity to be like gold or silver or stone, a work of art and human device. Overlooking therefore the times of ignorance, God now commands all men everywhere to change their minds, because he has appointed a day in which he is about to judge the world in righteousness, by the man whom he has appointed, giving assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
And they asking him to stay a longer time with them he did not consent, but taking leave of them and saying, I will return to you again, if God will, he sailed from, Ephesus, read more. and coming down to Caesarea, and going up and saluting the church, he went down to Antioch; and having spent some time there he went away, passing in order through the country of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.
And going through those parts, and exhorting them with many words, he went into Greece;
And from Miletus sending to Ephesus he called for the elders of the church.
And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazoraean, whom you persecute.
And Paul knowing that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, cried in the Sanhedrim, Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees; for the hope and resurrection of the dead am I under trial.
But a son of Paul's sister hearing of this lying in wait, went and entering into the fortress told Paul.
I will hear you, he said, when your accusers have come; and he commanded him to be kept in the Praetorium of Herod.
If indeed I have done wrong or committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if those things of which they accuse me are nothing, no man may give me up to them; I appeal to Caesar.
And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute.
And appointing him a day they came in great numbers to his lodging, to whom he set forth and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning till evening.
But Paul continued two entire years in his hired house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the doctrines concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
by the power of miracles and prodigies, by the power of the Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Salute Andronicus and Junius, my relatives and my fellow-captives, who are distinguished among the apostles, and who were before me in Christ.
Salute Herodion, my relative. Salute those of the [family] of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labored in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
But when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
neither did I go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went to Arabia and returned again to Damascus.
but you knew I preached the gospel to you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh,
but you knew I preached the gospel to you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh, and my trial in my flesh you despised not nor rejected, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the Praetorium and in all other places,
circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal persecuting the church, as to righteousness by the law being blameless.
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark the nephew of Barnabas,??oncerning whom you received commandments, if he comes to you receive him,??11 and Jesus called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these are the only co-laborers for the kingdom of God who have been a comfort to me.
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
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But if your right eye offends you, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is better for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.
But seeing the wind strong he was afraid; and beginning to sink, cried, saying, Lord save me!
and deliver him to the gentiles, to mock, and scourge, and crucify him; and on the third day he shall be raised.
(Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
Then he said to his servants, The wedding indeed is ready, but the invited were not worthy.
naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.
And the king shall answer and say to them, I tell you truly, that inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me.
And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then shall we do?
And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And distributing his garments they cast lots [for them].
And the Word became flesh and tabernacled with us and we beheld his glory, a glory as of an only child with a father, full of grace and truth.
For we all have received of his fullness, and grace for grace;
You worship what you know not; we worship what we know; for salvation is of the Jews.
If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
Then Pilate went into the Praetorium and called Jesus, and said to him, Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus answered, Do you say this of yourself, or did others tell you of me? read more. Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your nation and the chief priests have delivered you to me; what have you done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom had been of this world my officers would have fought for me, that I should not be given up to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not here. Then Pilate said to him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, As you say, I am a king. For this was I born, and for this I came into the world, that I should testify to the truth; every one who is of the truth hears my voice.
From that time Pilate sought to release him; but the Jews cried, saying, If you release this man you are not a friend of Caesar; every one who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.
and leaping up he stood and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping, praising God.
And now, brothers, I know that you did it without knowledge, as did also your rulers;
But an angel of the Lord opening the prison doors by night led them out and said,
But a certain Pharisee in the Sanhedrim, by the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, in honor with all the people, standing up requested them to put the men out a little while; and he said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you are about to do to these men. read more. For before these days Theudas arose, saying that he was somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, adhered, who was destroyed, and all who obeyed him passed away and came to nothing. After him arose Judas the Galilean, in the days of the census, and drew away people after him; and he was destroyed, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I tell you, abstain from these men, and let them alone; because if this design, or this work, is from men, it will be destroyed; but if it is from God, you cannot destroy them; lest you be found at some time to be fighting against God.
But some members of the synagogue called that of the Libertines and Cyrenians and Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen,
But some members of the synagogue called that of the Libertines and Cyrenians and Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen,
At that time Moses was born, and was beautiful in the sight of God, and was nourished three months in his father's house;
And Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works.
and casting him out of the city, stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul,
But Saul persecuted the church, and going from house to house, seizing men and women, committed them to prison.
And he said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute.
And the men travelling with him stood amazed, hearing indeed the voice, but beholding no one.
But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name both before nations and kings, and the children of Israel;
And Ananias went and entered into the house, and laying hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way which you came, that you may receive sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And Ananias went and entered into the house, and laying hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way which you came, that you may receive sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight, and rising up was baptized,
and immediately in the synagogues he preached Jesus, that this is the Son of God. And all that heard him were astonished and said, Is not this he that destroyed those who called on this name at Jerusalem, and has come here for this purpose, that he might lead them bound to the chief priests? read more. But Saul increased in power and confounded the Jews living at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. And when some days had passed, the Jews took counsel to kill him;
And going to Jerusalem he endeavored to join the disciples; and they all feared him, not believing that he was a disciple.
And going to Jerusalem he endeavored to join the disciples; and they all feared him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus. read more. And he was with them, entering in and going out at Jerusalem, and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord; and he spoke and disputed with the Hellenists; and they undertook to kill him;
and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord; and he spoke and disputed with the Hellenists; and they undertook to kill him; but the brothers knowing it led him away to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus.
And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, You went in to men that were uncircumcised, and eat with them. read more. And Peter began and related to them in order, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw a vision in a trance, a vessel like a great sheet descending, let down by the four corners from heaven, and it came to me; and looking into it attentively I perceived and saw the quadrupeds of the earth and wild beasts and reptiles and birds of heaven. And I heard a voice saying to me, Arise, Peter, kill and eat. And I said, By no means, Lord, for nothing common or impure has ever entered into my mouth. And a voice answered from heaven a second time, What God has purified do not you regard common. And this was done thrice, and again all were taken up to heaven. And behold, immediately three men came to the house in which I was, being sent for me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them. And these six brothers also went with me, and we entered into the house of the man. And he told us how he had seen the angel in his house standing and saying to him, Send to Joppa and call Simon who is called Peter, who will speak words to you by which you shall be saved and all your house. And when I began to speak the Holy Spirit fell on them as also on us in the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord how he said, John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. If therefore God gave the gift equally to them and to us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I should be able to forbid God?
But some of them, Cyprians and Cyrenians, who came to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus.
And a report concerning them was brought to the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go as far as Antioch; who having come and seen the grace of God rejoiced, and exhorted all to adhere to the Lord with the purpose of the heart; read more. for he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great multitude were added to the Lord. And he went to Tarsus to seek for Saul, and found and brought him to Antioch. And he was with them, and they met a whole year with the church and taught a great multitude; and the disciples first took the name of Christians at Antioch. And in those days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch; and one of them, by the name of Agabus, standing up signified by the spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world; which also came under Claudius Caesar. And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send help to the brethren living in Judea; which they also did, sending to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
which they also did, sending to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
And when Herod was about to bring him forward, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards kept watch before the door. And behold, an angel of the Lord came, and a light shone in the building; and striking Peter on the side he awoke him saying, Arise quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. read more. And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and tie on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Put your cloak about you, and follow me. And going out he followed him, and knew not that it was real which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first guard, and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of itself, and going out they went forward one street, and immediately the angel left him.
AND Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having performed the service, taking with them also John who was called Mark.
AND Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having performed the service, taking with them also John who was called Mark.
Then they spent a long time in speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting miracles and prodigies to be performed by their hands.
said with a loud voice, Stand up erect on your feet. And he leaped, and walked.
And they remained there not a little time with the disciples.
And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel and believe. And the heart-searching God testified to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, read more. and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith. Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same manner as they.
And he went to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there by the name of Timothy, a son of a Jewish woman, a believer, but of a Greek father, who was commended by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. read more. Him Paul wished to have go with him; and he took and circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places; for all knew that his father was a Greek.
And passing through Phrygia and the country of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, coming by Mysia they endeavored to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;
And when he saw the vision we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.
and bringing them out said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, and your house.
But the unbelieving Jews taking certain base men of those about the markets, and exciting a mob, disturbed the city; and coming to the house of Jason sought to bring them out to the people;
And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him, and some said, What does this trifler mean to say? And others, He seems to be a preacher of strange demons; because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And laying hold of him they brought him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is which is taught by you? read more. for you bring certain strange things to our ears; we wish therefore to know what these things mean. And all the Athenians and the strangers living there spend their leisure in nothing else but telling or hearing something new. And Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus said, Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are extremely devoted to the worship of demons. For as I passed through, and observed your objects of worship, I found also an altar on which was inscribed, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I declare to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, this [God] being Lord of heaven and earth dwells not in temples made with hands,
The God who made the world and all things in it, this [God] being Lord of heaven and earth dwells not in temples made with hands,
The God who made the world and all things in it, this [God] being Lord of heaven and earth dwells not in temples made with hands, neither is he served by the hands of men as needing any thing, since he gives to all life, and breath, and all things;
neither is he served by the hands of men as needing any thing, since he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and he made of one blood every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, determining their appointed times and the bounds of their habitation,
and he made of one blood every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, determining their appointed times and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might feel after and find him, and indeed he is not far from every one of us.
that they should seek God, if perhaps they might feel after and find him, and indeed he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets have said, For we are his offspring.
For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets have said, For we are his offspring. Being therefore an offspring of God, we ought not to think the Deity to be like gold or silver or stone, a work of art and human device.
because he has appointed a day in which he is about to judge the world in righteousness, by the man whom he has appointed, giving assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
and because he was of the same trade continued and labored with them; for they were tent makers.
And Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of a not undistinguished city, I beg of you, permit me to speak to the people.
And he said, I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, instructed at the feet of Gamaliel in the accurate interpretation of the law of our fathers, and am a zealous worshipper of God as you all are to-day;
And those that were with me saw the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me.
And when I could not see from the brightness of that light, being led by the hand by those with me, I came to Damascus.
And he said, The God of our fathers chose you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and hear the voice of his mouth,
And he said, The God of our fathers chose you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and hear the voice of his mouth,
And when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance,
And when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance, and saw him [Christ], saying to me, Hasten and depart immediately from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your testimony of me.
and saw him [Christ], saying to me, Hasten and depart immediately from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your testimony of me.
and saw him [Christ], saying to me, Hasten and depart immediately from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your testimony of me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in the synagogues those who believed on you;
And the chiliarch answered, I acquired this citizenship for a great price. But Paul said, I am indeed, and was also born [one].
And Paul knowing that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, cried in the Sanhedrim, Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees; for the hope and resurrection of the dead am I under trial.
And on the following night the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good courage, for as you have testified of me at Jerusalem, so you must also testify at Rome.
My mode of life from my childhood, the early part of it being with my nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews, who knew me from the first, if they would testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
and when we had all fallen on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? it is hard for you to kick against the goads.
and when we had all fallen on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? it is hard for you to kick against the goads.
and when we had all fallen on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? it is hard for you to kick against the goads.
But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and witness both of what you have seen and [of visions ] in which I will appear to you,
But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and witness both of what you have seen and [of visions ] in which I will appear to you, delivering you from the people, and the gentiles, to whom I send you read more. to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among the sanctified by faith in me.
to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among the sanctified by faith in me.
whom God set forth [to be] a propitiator through faith in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing by of the errors committed previously in the forbearance of God,
whom God set forth [to be] a propitiator through faith in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing by of the errors committed previously in the forbearance of God,
For you received not the spirit of servitude again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry; Abba, Father.
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God but not according to knowledge;
But what does it say? The word is nigh you, in your mouth and in your mind; that is, the word of the faith which we preach. For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe with your mind that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved;
RECEIVE the weak in faith, not to doubtful reasonings. For one has faith to eat all things, but he that is weak eats vegetables. read more. Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and let not him that eats not judge him that eats; for God has accepted him. Who are you that judge another man's servant? To his master he stands or falls; and he shall be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One judges one day to be better than another, but another judges every day [to be alike]. Let each one be fully persuaded in his mind. He that observes the day observes it to the Lord, and he that observes not the day observes it not to the Lord. And he that eats eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not eats not to the Lord, and gives God thanks. For no one of us lives for himself; and no one dies for himself;
Let us not therefore judge one another, but judge this rather, not to place a stumbling-block or an offense before a brother. I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is defiled in itself, except to him that thinks any thing to be defiled; to him it is defiled. read more. For if your brother is grieved by your food, you no longer walk in love. Destroy not with your food him for whom Christ died. Let not your good therefore be injuriously spoken of. For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit; for he that in this serves Christ is well pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore pursue the things of peace and those which edify one another. On account of food destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure, but evil is to the man that eats with offense; it is good not to eat meat nor drink wine, nor [do] any thing by which your brother stumbles. You have faith; have it for yourself before God, Blessed is he that condemns not himself in what he approves; but he that doubts is condemned if he eats, because it is not of faith; and every thing which is not of faith is sin.
to the weak I have been as weak, that I might gain the weak; I have been all things to all men, that I may save some in all conditions;
But what the gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not wish you to be partakers with demons.
For I received of the Lord, what I also delivered to you; that on the night in which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread
For he that speaks with a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but in spirit he speaks mysteries;
For I delivered to you at first, what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and last of all he appeared to me also, as one born out of due time.
Be not deceived; evil companionships corrupt good morals.
For the epistles, say they, are weighty and powerful, but the bodily presence is weak and speech contemptible.
Are they ministers of Christ? I speak foolishly, I am more; in labors most abundant, in stripes above measure, in imprisonments most abundant, in deaths often; five times I received of the Jews forty [stripes] lacking one, read more. thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice have I been shipwrecked, a night and a day have I spent in the deep; often on journeys, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from [my own] race, in dangers from gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers on the sea, in dangers among false brothers, in labor and weariness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides things without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I am not displeased? If it is necessary to boast, I will boast of my infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I lie not. In Damascus, the ethnarch, when Aretas was king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, desiring to take me,
In Damascus, the ethnarch, when Aretas was king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, desiring to take me, and I was let down in a rope-basket, by a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
It is not expedient therefore for me to boast [of these things]; for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
And that I might not be elated with my extraordinary revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me, that I should not be too much exalted. For this I besought the Lord thrice that it might leave me. read more. And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you; for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I am well pleased with infirmities, with injuries, with necessities, with persecutions, with distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
The signs of an apostle were performed among you with all patience, in miracles, and prodigies, and mighty works. For what is there in which you were inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong. read more. Behold, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be burdensome to you; for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I most gladly will spend and will be spent for your souls, even if the more abundantly I love you the less I am loved. Be it so, I was not burdensome to you; but being crafty I caught you with deceit. Did I make any thing out of you by any of those I sent to you? I requested Titus, and sent the brother with him; did Titus make any thing out of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit, in the same steps? Do you again think that we are defending ourselves? We speak in Christ before God; all these things, beloved, are for your edification. For I fear lest when I come I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found such as you wish not; lest there shall be strife, envy, anger, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, pride, dissensions; lest when I come again my God shall humble me before you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned, and not changed their minds, in respect to impurity and fornication and lewdness which they have committed.
For I certify you, brothers, of the gospel preached by me, that it is not according to man; for I neither received it from man nor was I taught it, but by a revelation of Jesus Christ. read more. For you heard of my conduct formerly in Judaism, that I greatly persecuted the church of God and destroyed it; and was a proficient in Judaism beyond many of my age among my people, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
and was a proficient in Judaism beyond many of my age among my people, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God who gave me being and called me by his grace,
But when God who gave me being and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the gentiles, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood,
was pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the gentiles, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, neither did I go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went to Arabia and returned again to Damascus.
neither did I go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went to Arabia and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and staid with him fifteen days;
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and staid with him fifteen days;
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and staid with him fifteen days;
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and staid with him fifteen days; and I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
and I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother. And what I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not. read more. Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. But I was unknown by face to the churches of Christ in Judea,
and I went up by a revelation, and proposed to them the gospel which I preach to the gentiles, but privately to persons of distinction, lest I should run or had run in vain.
and I went up by a revelation, and proposed to them the gospel which I preach to the gentiles, but privately to persons of distinction, lest I should run or had run in vain. But Titus who was with me, and was a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised;
But Titus who was with me, and was a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised; but on account of false brothers brought in secretly to act as spies against our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, to bring us into servitude,
but on account of false brothers brought in secretly to act as spies against our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, to bring us into servitude, we did not yield to them by subjection, for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. read more. But from those of distinction, whatever they were it makes no difference to me,??od is partial to no man,??or those of distinction added nothing to me, but on the contrary seeing that I was intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, as Peter was of the circumcision,??8 for he that operated in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision, operated also in me for the gentiles,??9 and knowing the grace given me, James and Cephas and John, who were manifest pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship that we should go to the gentiles and they to the circumcision;
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit do you now end in the flesh?
but you knew I preached the gospel to you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh,
Tell me, you that wish to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
These things are allegorical, for those [women] are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for servitude, which is Hagar; for Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; and the present Jerusalem answers to her, for she is in servitude with her children.
for Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; and the present Jerusalem answers to her, for she is in servitude with her children.
You have departed from Christ, whoever of you are justified by the law, you have fallen from the grace.
And I, brothers, if I preach circumcision, why am I yet persecuted? Then has the offense of the cross ceased.
You see with how long a letter I have written to you.
For the circumcised themselves do not keep the law, but they wish you to be circumcised that they may glory in your flesh.
the eyes of your minds being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his call, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
To me, who am the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ,
with their understandings darkened, alienated from the life of God on account of the ignorance which is in them, on account of the hardness of their hearts,
giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father,
for our conflict is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the potentates of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual [hosts] of evil in the heavenly [worlds].
circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal persecuting the church, as to righteousness by the law being blameless.
But I rejoice greatly in the Lord, that now at length you began again to care for me, for whom also you did care, but had no opportunity [to serve me].
And you know also, Philippians, that at the beginning of the gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, no church communicated with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only; for even in Thessalonica and once and again you sent to my need.
But I have all things and abound, I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you, a perfume of good odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
giving thanks to the Father who has made us fit for a portion in the inheritance of the saints in light, who delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, read more. in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins,
that I may declare it plainly, as I ought to speak.
for they declare of us what introduction we had to you, and how you turned from idols to God, to serve the living and true God,
for they declare of us what introduction we had to you, and how you turned from idols to God, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
but having suffered before, and been injuriously treated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention.
but having suffered before, and been injuriously treated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention.
For you remember, brothers, our labor and weariness; that working night and day not to be burdensome to any one of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God, how piously, and righteously, and blamelessly we were with you that believe,
and charged you to walk worthily of God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
For you, brothers, became followers of the churches of God in Christ Jesus which were in Judea, for you also suffered the same things from your countrymen, which they did from the Jews
and strive to be quiet and pursue your own business, and work with your hands, as we charged you, that you may walk becomingly towards those without and have need of nothing.
And I thank our Lord Jesus Christ who has empowered me [to preach,] that he accounted me faithful, putting me in the ministry, who formerly was a blasphemer and persecutor and an injurious man; but I obtained mercy because I did those things ignorantly in unbelief; read more. and the grace of our Lord greatly abounded with the faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. The word is true and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief; but on this account I obtained mercy, that Jesus Christ might exhibit in me first all long-suffering, for an example to those who should hereafter believe in him to life eternal.
Those that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
I thank God, whom I serve from my ancestors with a pure conscience, that I mention you incessantly in my prayers night and day,
A certain one of them, their own poet, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gormandizers.
not by works of righteousness which we did but according to his mercy he saved us through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,
For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched, and to a burning fire, and blackness and darkness and a tempest
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has begotten us to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
and consider the long-suffering of the Lord our salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul according to the wisdom given to him wrote to you,
THAT which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld and our hands felt, concerning the Word of life,??2 and the life was made manifest, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us,??3 that which we have seen and heard, we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
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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should I go to Spain I will come to you; for I hope, going by, to see you, and to be sent forward by you there, when first I am in part filled with you.
Having therefore performed this, and sealed to them this service, I will go by you to Spain;
in whom the god of this life has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God, may not shine.
Are they ministers of Christ? I speak foolishly, I am more; in labors most abundant, in stripes above measure, in imprisonments most abundant, in deaths often; five times I received of the Jews forty [stripes] lacking one, read more. thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice have I been shipwrecked, a night and a day have I spent in the deep; often on journeys, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from [my own] race, in dangers from gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers on the sea, in dangers among false brothers, in labor and weariness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides things without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you; for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I am well pleased with infirmities, with injuries, with necessities, with persecutions, with distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I consider not myself, brothers, to have attained it; but this one thing I do; forgetting the things behind, and reaching forward to those before, I press forward to the mark for the prize of the high call of God in Christ Jesus.
but we were gentle among you, as a nurse would cherish her own children;
As I requested you to remain at Ephesus, when going into Macedonia, that you might charge some not to preach another doctrine,
The cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring, and the books, especially the parchments.
Erastus remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.
For this cause I left you in Crete, that you might regulate things which are deficient, and appoint elders in every city, as I charged you,
When I send you Artemas, or Tychicus, make haste to come to me at Nicopolis; for there I have determined to spend 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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And he said, A hundred baths [1,350 gallons] of oil. And he said to him, Take your bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
and casting him out of the city, stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul,
and one of them, by the name of Agabus, standing up signified by the spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world; which also came under Claudius Caesar.
AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question. read more. They, therefore, being sent forward by the church, went to Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the gentiles, and caused great joy to all the brothers. And when they came to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related what things God had done with them. But some of those of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose and said, that it is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel and believe. And the heart-searching God testified to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith. Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same manner as they. And all the multitude was silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul relate what miracles and prodigies God performed among the gentiles through them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, hear me. Simeon has related how God first visited the gentiles to take a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this will I return and build up the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, and rebuild its ruins, and set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, even all the nations on whom my name has been called, says the Lord who does these things, known from eternity. Wherefore I judge that we ought not to trouble those who turned to God from the gentiles, but to send to them to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and fornication, and things strangled, and blood. For Moses from ancient times has those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with all the assembly [the church], to send delegates from themselves to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, writing by their hand, The apostles and elders and brothers, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are of the gentiles, greeting. Since we heard that some going out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls, to whom we gave no charge, it seemed good to us, being of one opinion, to send delegates to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they will tell you the same things by word. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put no greater burden upon you except these necessary things; that you should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication, from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell.
But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others the word of the Lord. AND after some days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return and visit the brothers in every city in which we preached the word of the Lord, [and see] how they do. read more. And Barnabas wished to take with them John called Mark; but Paul thought not best to take with them one who deserted them at Pamphylia and did not go with them to the work. And there was a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; and Barnabas taking Mark sailed to Cyprus. But Paul choosing Silas went out, commended to the favor of the Lord by the brothers.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and all the doors were immediately opened, and the bands of all were removed. And the jailer awaking from sleep and seeing the doors of the prison opened, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. read more. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm, for we are all here. And asking for a light he sprang in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas, and bringing them out said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, and your house. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and all those in his house. And taking them that hour of the night, he washed them from their stripes, and was baptized, he and all his, immediately, and conducting them up into his house he set a table, and rejoiced with all his house, having believed in God.
AND after this Paul left Athens and came to Corinth.
and because he was of the same trade continued and labored with them; for they were tent makers.
saying, This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. And when Paul was about to open his mouth Gallio said to the Jews, If there was any injustice or evil imposition, O Jews, I would bear with you in a reasonable manner;
And Paul having remained yet many days took leave of the brothers, and sailed to Syria; and Priscilla was with him, and Aquila, having shaved his head at Cenchrea; for he had a vow.
and having spent some time there he went away, passing in order through the country of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.
And going through those parts, and exhorting them with many words, he went into Greece; and when he had staid there three months, and a conspiracy was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
And when they had come to him, he said to them, You know from the first day that I came into Asia, how I was with you at all times, serving the Lord with all humility, and tears and trials that befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews, read more. how I kept not back from declaring to you and teaching you publicly and from house to house any thing that was profitable, testifying both to Jews and Greeks the change of mind to God, and the faith in our Lord Jesus. And behold now, I go constrained by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things which shall befall me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, saying, That bonds and afflictions await me. But life precious to myself, I make of no account that I may finish my course and the service which I received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that you all among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom shall see my face no more. Wherefore I call you to witness this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men; for I have not kept back from declaring to you all the counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves, therefore, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he has purchased with his blood. For I know that after my departure grievous wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock, and of yourselves men will arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Wherefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not to admonish every one of you with tears. And now I commend you to God, and the word of his grace, who is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance with all the sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver or gold or clothing; you yourselves know that these hands have served my necessities and those with me. I have showed you all things, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
And when we arrived at Jerusalem the brothers received us gladly.
But some cried one thing, and some another, in the multitude, and not being able to learn the truth, on account of the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the fortress. And when he was on the steps, it happened that he was borne by the soldiers, on account of the violence of the multitude; read more. for the multitude of the people followed, crying, Take him away. And being about to be carried into the fortress, Paul said to the chiliarch, May I have permission to speak to you? And he said, Do you understand Greek? Are you not the Egyptian who before these days excited a sedition, and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men who were murderers? And Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of a not undistinguished city, I beg of you, permit me to speak to the people. And he giving him permission, Paul stood up on the steps, and motioned with his hand to the people; and when there was great silence, he spoke in the Hebrew language, and said,
Men, brothers and fathers, hear my present defense before you.
And as they cried and rent their clothes and cast dust in the air,
And Paul knowing that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, cried in the Sanhedrim, Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees; for the hope and resurrection of the dead am I under trial.
by the power of miracles and prodigies, by the power of the Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.
and all the brothers with me, to the churches of Galatia.
neither did I go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went to Arabia and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and staid with him fifteen days;
but you knew I preached the gospel to you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh, and my trial in my flesh you despised not nor rejected, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. read more. What then was your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have dug out your eyes and have given them to me.
in which I suffer even to chains as an evil doer; but the word of God is not 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 consented to his death. And at that time there was a great persecution of the church at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
But Saul persecuted the church, and going from house to house, seizing men and women, committed them to prison.
BUT Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the chief priest
And when some days had passed, the Jews took counsel to kill him;
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus.
and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord; and he spoke and disputed with the Hellenists; and they undertook to kill him;
And he went to Tarsus to seek for Saul, and found and brought him to Antioch. And he was with them, and they met a whole year with the church and taught a great multitude; and the disciples first took the name of Christians at Antioch.
and one of them, by the name of Agabus, standing up signified by the spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world; which also came under Claudius Caesar.
And there were prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch; Barnabas and Simeon called Niger [the black], and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen the foster brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.
AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question.
AND after some days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return and visit the brothers in every city in which we preached the word of the Lord, [and see] how they do.
and because he was of the same trade continued and labored with them; for they were tent makers.
And Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of a not undistinguished city, I beg of you, permit me to speak to the people.
and I persecuted this way to death, binding and committing to prison both men and women,
And when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance,
But when they extended him with cords, he said to the centurion standing by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man, a Roman, and uncondemned?
Therefore God gave them up to infamous affections; for their females changed a natural enjoyment for that which is against nature, and in like manner also the males, leaving the natural enjoyment of the female, became the subjects of inordinate desires for each other, males with males committing indecency, and receiving in return the recompense of their error which was fit. read more. And as they did not choose to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do things which are not proper, being filled with all wickedness, malice, covetousness, vice, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions, whisperers, evil speakers, haters of God, injurious, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, unintelligent, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful, who knowing the ordinance of God, that those who do such things deserve death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in those who do them.
you that teach another, do you not teach yourself? You that preach not to steal, do you steal? You that command not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege? read more. You who boast of the law, by the transgression of the law do you dishonor God? For the name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations as it is written.
For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he may be a first-born among many brothers; and whom he predestinated them he also called; and whom he called them he also justified; and whom he justified them he also glorified.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I am a sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. And if I have prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. read more. And if I deal out all my property to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, and have not love, I shall not be profited. Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love is not boastful, is not puffed up, does not behave unbecomingly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, devises not evil, rejoices not in wickedness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes for all things, and endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are prophecies, they shall pass away; if tongues, they shall cease; if knowledge, it shall pass away. And we know in part and we prophesy in part; when the perfect has come, that which is in part shall pass away.
For I am the least of the apostles, and am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God;
But when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit from not finding Titus my brother; but leaving them I went to Macedonia.
AND I make known to you, brothers, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia,
I requested Titus, and sent the brother with him; did Titus make any thing out of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit, in the same steps?
For you heard of my conduct formerly in Judaism, that I greatly persecuted the church of God and destroyed it;
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and staid with him fifteen days;
only they heard that he who persecuted us formerly, now preached the faith which he formerly destroyed;
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus;
There is one body, and one spirit, as you also are called in one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; read more. one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. And to each one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Let not fornication and any impurity or covetousness be named among you, as becomes saints, nor indecorum and foolish talking, or jesting, things not becoming, but rather giving of thanks. read more. For you know this, that no fornicator, or impure, or covetous person, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words; for on account of these comes the wrath of God on the children of disobedience.
circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, as to the law a Pharisee,
All the saints salute you, especially those of Caesar's family.
whom I have sent to you for this purpose, that he may know your affairs and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus the faithful and beloved brother, who is of you; they will tell you of all things here. read more. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark the nephew of Barnabas,??oncerning whom you received commandments, if he comes to you receive him,??11 and Jesus called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these are the only co-laborers for the kingdom of God who have been a comfort to me.
Epaphras, who is of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always striving for you in prayers that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
A certain one of them, their own poet, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gormandizers. This testimony is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Admonish them to be subject to principalities, to powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all meekness to all men. read more. For we formerly were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, detestable, and hating one another;
For we formerly were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, detestable, and hating one another; but when the goodness and philanthropy of the Saviour our God appeared,
but when the goodness and philanthropy of the Saviour our God appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did but according to his mercy he saved us through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,