Thematic Bible: Paul's


Thematic Bible



For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you,










And though I wrote to you, it was not for his sake who had done the wrong, nor for his sake who had suffered it, but for the sake of manifesting to you in the sight of God our diligent care over you.


For I fear lest when I come, I should not find you such as I would, and lest I should be found by you such as ye would not: lest there should be contentions, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults, Lest my God should humble me when I come to you again,

Brethren, I beseech you, be ye as I am; for I also am as ye were: ye have not injured me at all.



And as he was of the same trade, he abode with them and wrought, for they were tent-makers by trade.


Yea, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministred to my necessities, and to them that were with me.

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing, but wrought with labour and toil, night and day, that we might not burden any of you.

And Paul continued two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came to him,

But I have used none of these things; nor have I written thus, that it might be done so unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make this my glorying void.



And ye did not slight or disdain my temptation which was in the flesh, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.


And having spent some time there, he departed, and went over the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, confirming all the disciples. Now a certain Jew, Apollos by name, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John. read more.
And he spake boldly in the synagogue. And Aquila and Priscilla hearing him, took him to their house, and explained to him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was desirous to go over to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; who being come thither, greatly helped through grace them that had believed. For he earnesty debated with the Jews in publick, shewing by the scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ. Now while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper parts, came to Ephesus; and finding certain disciples, He said to them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost, since ye believed? And they said to him, Nay, we have not so much as heard, Whether there be any Holy Ghost. He said to them, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe on him that was to come after him, that is on Jesus. And hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul laying his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied. And they were in all about twelve men. And going into the synagogue, he spake boldly, for three months discoursing and evincing the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened, and would not believe, but spake reproachfully of the way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, discoursing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this was done for the space of two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, So that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits came out of them. And some of the vagabond Jews, who were exorcists, undertook to name the name of the Lord Jesus, over those who had evil spirits, saying, We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva a Jewish chief priest, who did this. But the evil spirit answering said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaping upon them, and getting the mastery of them, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all both Jews and Greeks dwelling at Ephesus, and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of those who believed came, confessing and openly declaring their deeds. Many also of those who had practised curious arts, bringing their books together, burnt them before all men, and they computed the value of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So powerfully did the word of God grow and prevail. After these things were ended, Paul purposed in spirit, having passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must see Rome also. And having sent two of those who ministred to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, he himself staid in Asia for a season. And about that time, there arose no small tumult concerning the way. For a man named Demetrius, a silver smith, who made silver shrines of Diana, procured no small gain to the artificers: Whom having gathered together, with the workmen employed in such things, he said, Sirs, ye know, that our maintenance arises from this occupation. But ye see and hear, that not at Ephesus only, but almost through all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned aside much people, saying, That they are not gods, which are made with hands. So that there is danger, not only that this our craft should be set at nought, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia, and the world worshipeth. And hearing this, they were filled with rage, and cried out, saying, The great Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion; and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's fellow-travellers. And when Paul would have gone in to the people, the disciples would not suffer him. And some also of the principal officers of Asia, being his friends, sent to him and desired, that he would not venture himself into the theatre. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the greater part did not know, for what they were come together. And they thrust Alexander forward from among the multitude, the Jews pushing him on; and Alexander, waving with his hand, would have made a defence to the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, one voice arose from them all, crying out, for about two hours, The great Diana of the Ephesians. But the register, having pacified the people, said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not, that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then these things cannot be denied, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor blasphemers of your goddess. If then Demetrius and the artificers that are with him, have a charge against any one, the courts are held, and there are proconsuls; let them implead one another. But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. And indeed we are in danger to be questioned for sedition, concerning this day; there being no cause, whereby we can account for this concourse. And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly. And after the tumult was ceased, Paul calling the disciples to him, and having taken his leave of them, departed to go into Macedonia. And having gone through those parts, and exhorted them with much discourse, he came into Greece. And having abode there three months, an ambush being laid for him by the Jews, as he was about to sail into Syria, he determined to return by Macedonia. And there accompanied him to Asia Sopater of Berea, and of the Thessalonians Aristarchus, and Secundus, and Caius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before, staid for us at Troas, And we set sail from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we abode seven days. And on the first day of the week, when we were met together to break bread, Paul being to depart on the morrow, preached to them, and continued his discourse till midnight. And there were many lamps in the upper room where they were assembled. And a certain young man, named Eutychus, sitting in a window, fell into a deep sleep: and as Paul still continued his discourse, being overpowered with sleep, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down and fell on him; and taking him in his arms, said, Be not troubled; for his life is in him. And going up again, and having broken bread, he conversed long with them, even till break of day, and so departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. But we going before into the ship, sailed to Assos, where we were to take up Paul; for so he had appointed, being himself to go on foot. And when he met us at Assos, we took him up and came to Mitylene. And sailing thence, we came the following day over-against Chios, and the next day we touched at Samos, and having tarried at Trogyllium, the day after came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, that he might not spend any time in Asia; for he hasted, if it were possible, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. And sending to Ephesus from Miletus, he called thither the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said to them, Ye know in what manner I have conversed among you, all the time from the first day I came into Asia, Serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and trials which befell me through the ambushes of the Jews: And that I have with-held nothing which was profitable, but have preached to you, and taught you, publickly and from house to house: Testifying both to Jews and Greeks repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now behold, being bound by the Spirit, I go to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost testifieth to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life precious to myself, so I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now I know that ye all among whom I have conversed, proclaiming the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men: For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Yea, from among yourselves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministred to my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, that thus labouring ye ought to help the infirm, and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus, which he himself said, It is happier to give than to receive. And having said these things, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and falling on Paul's neck kissed him, Sorrowing most for that word which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they conducted him to the ship. And when we were torn away from them, and had set sail, we ran with a strait course to Coos, and the next day to Rhodes, and thence to Patara. And finding a ship passing over to Phenicia, we went aboard and set sail. And coming within sight of Cyprus, and leaving it on the left-hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her burden. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days, who told Paul by the Spirit, Not to go up to Jerusalem. But when we had finished these days, we departed and went our way; and they all attended us out of the city, with their wives and children: and kneeling down on the sea-shore we prayed. And having embraced each other we took ship, and they returned home. And finishing our voyage, we came from Tyre to Ptolemais, and saluting the brethren, we abode with them one day. And the next day, we departed and came to Cesarea; and entring into the house of Philip the Evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him. And he had four daughters, virgins, who were prophetesses. And as we tarried many days, a certain prophet, named Agabus, came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took up Paul's girdle, and binding his own feet and hands, said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man whose girdle this is, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of the place, besought him, not to go up to Jerusalem. But Paul answered, What mean ye, weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after these days, we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.


And after certain days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit the brethren in every city, where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas counselled, to take with them John, surnamed Mark. But Paul thought it not right to take with them him, who had departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. read more.
And there was a sharp contention, so that they parted from each other; and Barnabas taking Mark with him, sailed away to Cyprus; But Paul having chose Silas, departed, being recommended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. And he came down to Derbe and Lystra. And behold a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek: Who was well reported of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. Him Paul would have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew his father, that he was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they gave them the decrees, which were determined by the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem to keep. And the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily. And having gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbid by the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, Coming to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit suffered them not. And passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul by night: a man of Macedonia stood and intreated him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And as soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, assuredly inferring, that the Lord called us to preach the gospel to them. Sailing therefore from Troas, we ran with a strait course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis: And from thence to Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony. And we abode in that city certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city, by the river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and sitting down, we spake to the women who were come together. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, heard; whose heart the Lord opened to assent to the things which were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized and her family, she intreated us saying, Since ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there. And she constrained us. And as we were going to prayer, a certain damsel, possest by a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by prophesying. She following after Paul and us, cried out, saying, These men are servants of the most high God, who declare to us the way of salvation. And this she did for many days. But Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ, to go out of her. And he came out the same hour. But when her owners saw, that the hope of their gain was gone, laying hold of Paul and Silas, they dragged them into the market-place to the magistrates, And having brought them to the pretors, they said, These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which it is not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive, neither to observe. And the multitude rose up together against them; and the pretors tearing off their garments, commanded to beat them with rods. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who having received such a charge, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas having prayed, sung an hymn to God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the jailor awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison opened, drew his sword, and was going to kill himself, supposing the prisoners were fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm; for we are all here. Then he called for lights, and sprang in, and trembling, fell down before Paul and Silas. And having brought them out he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved and thy houshold. And they spake the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And taking them that very hour of the night, he washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his houshold. And having brought them up into his house, he set a table before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with his whole house. And when it was day, the pretors sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. And the jailor told these things to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publickly, uncondemned, and have cast us into prison, who are Romans: and do they now thrust us out privately? Nay verily: but let them come themselves and conduct us out. And the serjeants reported these words to the pretors; and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and comforted them; and conducting them out, requested that they would depart from the city. And coming out of the prison, they entered into the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed. And taking their journey through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, according to his custom, went in to them, and three sabbath-days discoursed with them from the scriptures, Opening them and evincing, That Christ ought to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and that this is the Christ, even Jesus, whom I declare unto you. And some of them believed, and were joined to Paul and Silas, and a great number of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the principal women. But the Jews who believed not, filled with zeal, taking to them some of the mean and profligate fellows, and making a mob, set all the city in an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, sought to bring them out to the people. But not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying aloud, These men, that have turned the world upside down, are come hither also: Whom Jason hath privately received; and all these men act contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying, that there is another king, one Jesus. And they alarmed the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. However having taken security of Jason and of the rest, they let them go. But the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea, who coming thither, went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more ingenuous than those of Thessalonica, receiving the word with all readiness of mind, and daily searching the scriptures, whether those things were so? Therefore many of them believed, and of the Grecian women of considerable rank, and of the men not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea also, they came thither likewise, and stirred up the multitude. Then the brethren sent away Paul immediately, to go as it were to the sea; but Silas and Timothy continued there. And they that conducted Paul, brought him as far as Athens, and having received an order to Silas and Timothy, to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now, while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him, seeing the city wholly given to idolatry. He therefore discoursed in the synagogue to the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market-place daily to those whom he met with. Then some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers incountered him: and some said, What would this babler say? Others, he seemeth to be a proclaimer of strange gods; because he preached to them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine is, which is spoken by thee? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would therefore know, what these things mean? (For all the Athenians, and the strangers sojourning there, spent their time in nothing else, but telling or hearing some new thing.) Then Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that ye are greatly addicted to the worship of invisible powers. For as I passed along and beheld the objects of your worship, I found an altar, on which was inscribed, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD: him therefore whom ye worship without knowing him, I proclaim unto you. God who made the world and all things therein, being the Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed any thing, he himself giving to all life and breath, and all things. And he hath made of one the whole nation of men, to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation: That they might seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live and move, and have our being; as certain likewise of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think the Godhead is like gold or silver, or stone, graven by art and contrivance of man. The times of ignorance indeed God overlooked; but he now commandeth all men every where to repent. Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world righteously, by the man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection from the dead, some mocked: but others said, We will hear thee again concerning this. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit, some clave to him and believed: among whom was even Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. After these things, Paul departing from Athens, came to Corinth. And finding a certain Jew name Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy with Priscilla his wife (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome) he went to them. And as he was of the same trade, he abode with them and wrought, for they were tent-makers by trade. And he discoursed in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in spirit, and testified to the Jews, that Jesus was the Christ. But when they set themselves in opposition and blasphemed, he shook his raiment and said to them, Your blood is upon your own head; I am pure: from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles. And going thence, he went into the house of one named Justus, one that worshiped God, whose house was adjoining to the synagogue. And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Then the Lord said to Paul by a vision, in the night, Fear not, but speak and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made an assault with one consent upon Paul, and brought him to the judgment-seat, Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were an act of injustice or wicked licentiousness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you. But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of these matters. And he drove them away from the judgment-seat. Then they all took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things. And Paul still continued many days; and then taking leave of the brethren, sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shaved his head at Cenchrea; for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left him there; but he himself going into the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews. But though they intreated him to tarry longer with them, he consented not: But took his leave of them, saying, I must by all means keep the approaching feast at Jerusalem, but I will return to you again, if God will. And he set sail from Ephesus. And landing at Cesarea, he went up and saluted the church, and went down to Antioch.