77 Bible Verses about Paul, Apostle To Gentiles

It pleased God to separate me even from my mother's womb and call me through his grace. He revealed his Son to me that I might preach him among the nations. I do not confer with flesh and blood (human beings).

As he journeyed to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shined around him. He fell to the earth and heard a voice saying: Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me? Who are you Lord? He asked. The Lord said: I am Jesus whom you persecute.read more.
Get up and go into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do. The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Saul got up from the ground. Even though he opened his eyes, he saw nothing. They led him by the hand into Damascus. He went for three days without sight. He did not eat or drink. The disciple Ananias was in Damascus. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision: Ananias. He replied: Yes, I am here, Lord. The Lord said to him, Arise, and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus for he is praying. He has seen a man named Ananias in a vision. He came in and laid his hand on him that he might receive his sight. Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your holy ones at Jerusalem. He has authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name. The Lord said to him: Be on your way. This man is a chosen vessel to bear my name to the people of the nations, and kings and the children of Israel. I will show him plainly how many things he must suffer for my name. Ananias went his way. He entered the house and put his hands on him and said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you along the road sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he received sight. He got up and was baptized. He ate and was strengthened. Saul spent several days with the disciples at Damascus.

While I was traveling I came near Damascus about midday. Suddenly a bright light from the sky flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me: 'Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?' Who are you, Lord? I asked. I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute, he said to me.read more.
Everyone with me saw the light. They did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me. I asked: What shall I do, Lord? He said: 'Go to Damascus. There you will be told what God wants you to do.' I was blind because of the bright light. So my companions took me by the hand and led me to Damascus. A man named Ananias was in that city. He is a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there. He came and stood by me, and said: 'Brother Saul, see again!' At that very moment I saw again and looked at him. He said: 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will. You are to see his righteous servant, and to hear him speak with his own voice. You will be a witness for him to tell everyone what you have seen and heard. Wait no longer! Get up and be baptized and have your sins washed away by praying to him.'

I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven. It was brighter than the sun and shinned all around me. It also shinned around those who journeyed with me. We all fell to the ground. I heard a voice speaking to me. It said in the Hebrew tongue: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' (You only hurt yourself.)read more.
I said: 'Who are you, Lord?' And he answered: 'I am Jesus whom you persecute. Stand up on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things that you have seen, and of those things I will show to you. I will rescue you from the people and the nations. I am sending you to them. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. They may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

When they saw the grace that was given to me, James, Cephas (Peter) and John, they who were known to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship. We were to go to the nations and they were to go to the people who are circumcised.

The Lord said: 'Go! I will send you far away to the people of the nations.'

I will not dare to speak of any of those things that Christ has not accomplished through me. I will lead the nations to obey God in word and deed. Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. From Jerusalem, and round about Illyricum, I have fully preached the good news of Christ. I have strived to preach the good news, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:read more.
It is written, To whom he was not announced, they shall see: and those who have not heard shall understand. (Isaiah 52:15)

But we will not boast beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the province that God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even to you. For we are not overstretching ourselves though we did not reach to you. We reached out to you with the good news of Christ. We did not boast beyond our assignment in other men's labors. Having hope that, as your faith grows, we shall be made great among you according to our territory for further abundance.read more.
Let us preach the good news to the parts beyond you. Let us not boast in someone else's territory in concerning things ready for our hand.

I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace that was given me according to the working of his power. To me, the very least of all the holy ones, was given grace (loving divine influence) to preach to the people of the nations the untraceable riches of Christ. To make all men see what is the administration of the secret which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things.

Though I preach the good news I do not brag about it. Preaching the good news is my duty (obligation) and I must do it! It would be terrible if I did not preach the good news!

I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise. I am ready to preach the good news to you in Rome also.

We know what it means to respect the Lord so we persuade others. God knows us and I hope that you know us in your hearts (consciences). We are not again commending ourselves to you. But we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us. That way you may have an answer for those who glory in appearance, and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves (crazy) (insane) it is to God. If we are of sound mind, it is to you.read more.
For the love of Christ compels us to judge, that one died for all and therefore all died.

We did not try to get praise from anyone, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we could have made demands on you. But we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children. Having much affection for you, we were well pleased to impart the good news of God to you and also to share our lives with you. You have become very dear to us.read more.
You may remember, brothers, our labor and hardship. We worked day and night that we would not burden any of you when we preached the good news of God to you.

My answer (defense) to those who examine me is as follows: Do we have a right to eat and drink? Do we have a right to lead a sister as a wife just like other apostles, and as brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?read more.
Or is it only Barnabas and I who do not have the right to refrain from secular work? Does a soldier serve at his own expense? Does the one who plants a vineyard not eat of the fruit it produces? Who shepherds a flock and does not eat some of the milk from the flock? I say this from a human point of view. Does the law say the same thing? It is written in the Law of Moses: You should not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads (threshes) out the grain. Does God care only about oxen? Or did he say it for our benefit? This is written for our benefit without a doubt! He who plows should plow in hope. Likewise he who threshes in hope should be a partaker of his hope. If we sow spiritual seed in you, is it too much if we reap material things? If others are partakers of the right over you, should we also partake? Nevertheless we have not used this power! We suffer all things, lest we should hinder the good news of Christ. Do you not know that they who minister about holy things live off the things of the temple? And they who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so, has the Lord ordained that they who preach the good news should earn their living from the good news? But I have used none of these rights! Neither have I written these things, that it should be done to me. It would be better for me to die, than that any man should make my reason for boasting void. Though I preach the good news I do not brag about it. Preaching the good news is my duty (obligation) and I must do it! It would be terrible if I did not preach the good news! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward. But if I do it against my will, I am just performing the trust of the good news committed to me. What is my reward then? When I preach the good news, I may offer the good news of Christ without charge. That is way I do not abuse my power in the good news.

What is it in which you were inferior to other congregations, except that I was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong.

We do not preach about ourselves, but about Christ Jesus as Lord. We are your servants for Jesus' sake.

I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lie! My conscience bears witness with me in Holy Spirit. I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. I could wish that I were accursed (separated) (banned) (excommunicated) from Christ for the good of (in behalf of) my countrymen and brothers (the Jews).

For, though I am free from all persons, yet I have made myself a servant to all, that I might gain more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews. To those under the Law, as under the Law, that I might gain those under the Law. To those without Law I became like those without Law that I might gain them. I am not without law to God, but under the law to (toward) (of) Christ.read more.
To the weak I became as the weak, that I might gain the weak. I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the sake of the good news that I might be a partaker of it with others.

I would have you know, brothers that the things that happened to me turned out for the greater progress of the good news. My imprisonment in Christ became known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard, and to all brothers. Most of the brothers trust in the Lord and boldly speak the word of God without fear because of my bonds.read more.
Some preach Christ from envy and strife and some from good will. The latter ones do it out of love, knowing that I am set (appointed) (placed here) for the defense of the good news. But the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition without pure motives, thinking to cause me great suffering and distress in my imprisonment. What then? That in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed! For that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice! For I know that this will turn out to my redemption through your prayer and the provision of the spirit (vital principles) (mind) of Jesus Christ. I will not be put to shame according to my earnest expectation and hope. With all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in me, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I live in the flesh this will bring fruit from my labor. I do not know what to choose. I am hard pressed between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ for it is far better. Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. Having this confidence, I know that I will remain. Yes, I will remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith. Let your rejoicing abound in Christ Jesus through my presence with you again.

I was given a painful physical ailment that will keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw. It acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. Three times I prayed to God about this and asked him to take it away. He told me: My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore, I would rather glory in my infirmities (frailities), that the power of Christ may rest upon me (cover me like a tent) (descend upon me) (abide with me). (Isaiah 40:29-31)read more.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.

We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the power beyond what is normal may be from God, and not from ourselves. We are pressed (afflicted) (troubled) on every side, but not crushed. We are perplexed yet not to despair. We are persecuted, yet not forsaken. We are struck down, yet not destroyed.read more.
We always carry in the body the death of Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.

Give no occasion for stumbling (offence) in anything that our ministry may not be blamed (discredited). In everything we commend ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting;read more.
in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; Also as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

I speak concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. If any are bold, I speak foolishly for I am also bold. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I! Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool. I am more in labors more abundant, beaten beyond number, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often.read more.
Of the Jews five times I received forty stripes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, I suffered shipwreck three times, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brothers; In weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are from the outside, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the congregations. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I do not burn with indignation?

I have become a fool in boasting. You have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended about you: for in nothing am I inferior to the most prominent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

They traveled the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they found Barjesus. He was a sorcerer, a false prophet and a Jew. He was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man, who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer opposed them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.read more.
Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him, And said: You child of the devil, full of all subtlety and mischief, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of Jehovah? Look Jehovah's hand is on you. You will be blind and not see the sun for a season. Immediately there fell on him a mist and darkness. He went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. When he saw what was done the deputy believed. He was astonished at the teaching of God.

God did special miracles by the hands of Paul. Handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his body were put on the sick and the evil spirits went away.

I will not dare to speak of any of those things that Christ has not accomplished through me. I will lead the nations to obey God in word and deed. Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. From Jerusalem, and round about Illyricum, I have fully preached the good news of Christ.

My speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not exist in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

We know your calling brothers, beloved of God. We preached the good news to you, not in words only but with power from Holy Spirit and with conviction of its truth. You know how we lived when we were with you. It was for your own good.

I want to know him and the power of his resurrection. I want to know the fellowship of his sufferings and become conformed to his death. I wish to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

We are always confident for we know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. We walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, I say, and are willing to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.read more.
We make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to him. We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether it is good or bad.

I will not be put to shame according to my earnest expectation and hope. With all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in me, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I live in the flesh this will bring fruit from my labor. I do not know what to choose.read more.
I am hard pressed between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ for it is far better. Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

I am already being offered (poured out as an offering), and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight! I have finished the course! I have kept the faith! The crown of righteousness is laid up for me. The Lord, the righteous judge, will give it to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing (manifestation).

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not just please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself. However it is written, The reproaches (insults) hurled at you have fallen on me. (Psalm 69:9)

Have this attitude (mind-set) (understanding) (mental state) in you that was also in Christ Jesus. He existed in the form (shape and nature) of God but did not try to be equal with God. He did not even consider it! He emptied (humbled) himself by taking the form of a servant. He was made in the likeness of men.read more.
He obtained the appearance as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient even to death, yes, death on the stake. For this reason God highly exalted him, and gave to him the name that is above every name, (Relative authority given by Jehovah God, the Father to His Son) (Philipians 2:11) that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Be followers (imitators) of me, even as I also am of Christ.

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. Though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I have given birth to you through the good news. For this reason I urge you to imitate me.read more.
I send Timothy, my beloved son faithful in the Lord, to you for this purpose. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ, just as I teach it in every congregation.

Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect. But I press on, that I may obtain that for which Christ Jesus also obtained. Brothers, I could not yet have obtained it. But one thing I do, I forget the things that are behind, and stretch forward to the things that are ahead. I press on toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.read more.
Let those of us who are mature have this attitude. If you have a different attitude God will show you how to think. However, we should be guided by what we have learned so far. Brothers, be imitators of me. Pay attention to those who live by the example we have given you.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things that you have learned, received, heard and saw in me; do these things and the God of peace will be with you.

Our friends, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep away from all believers who walk disorderly and who do not follow the instructions that we gave them. You know what you must do to imitate us. We lived a disciplined life among you. We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead, we worked hard and struggled night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you.read more.
It is not because we do not have the right, but to make ourselves an example for you to imitate us.

I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake. I do my share in behalf of his body, the congregation, to provide what is lacking of the afflictions of Christ.

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort. It works through patience and longsuffering and is the same sufferings that we also suffer. Our hope for you is steadfast; knowing that, as you are partakers of the sufferings, so you also partake of the comfort.read more.
We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning our affliction that began in Asia. We were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life. Yes, we have had the sentence of death within ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the power beyond what is normal may be from God, and not from ourselves. We are pressed (afflicted) (troubled) on every side, but not crushed. We are perplexed yet not to despair. We are persecuted, yet not forsaken. We are struck down, yet not destroyed.read more.
We always carry in the body the death of Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but life in you.

Let no one trouble me. I bear the marks of Jesus branded on my body.

This is our pride and testimony of conscience. In holiness and Godly sincerity we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you. It was not by fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God.

At Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the congregation to him. When they arrived he said: You know from the first day that I set foot in Asia, I was with you all the time, serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials that came on me by the plots of the Jews.read more.
I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house. I witnessed to both Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God; but sincere and from God. We speak in Christ in the sight of God.

We have this ministry to do, even as we obtained mercy, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the hidden things of shame. And we do not walk in craftiness and deceit. We do not adulterate the word of God. But by the manifestation of the truth we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

You and God are witnesses, how devoutly and righteously, without blame, we behaved toward you who believe! You know how we dealt with each one of you. It was like a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging and showing you. You should walk worthily of God, who called you into his own kingdom and glory.

God is my witness, how I long for you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you the good news of God without charge? I robbed other congregations, taking pay from them that I might minister to you. When I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man. For the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will continue to do the same.read more.
As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me from doing this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Why? Is it because I do not love you? God knows I do!

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you. I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you. The children should not provide for the parents, but the parents for the children. I will gladly spend and be spent for you. When I love you more abundantly should I be loved less.

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

First, I thank my God for all of you through Jesus Christ, for your faith is reported throughout the whole world. God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit (whole heart and mind) in the good news of his Son. Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. I pray that I might by the will of God successfully come to you.

For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus that is among you, and the love you show all the holy ones. I continually give thanks for you in my prayers. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit (mental disposition) of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.read more.
Have the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know the hope of his calling, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the holy ones, and what the exceeding greatness of his power is toward us who believe, according to the operation of his mighty strength.

We pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and every work of faith with power. May the name of our Lord Jesus be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Brothers, pray for us.

Now I beg you, brothers, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me. That I may be delivered from those who do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted by the holy ones. That I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

Pray on my behalf, that ability to speak may be given to me, to make known with boldness the secret of the good news. I am an ambassador in chains who should speak boldly.

We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ that you be reconciled to God.

I have strived to preach the good news, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

According to the grace of God that is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let every man take heed how he builds.

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God caused the growth. Neither he that plants and neither he that waters is anything; but God gives the increase.read more.
Now he who plants and he who waters are one [in purpose] and every man will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are fellow workers together with God. You are God's field under cultivation. You are God's building.

Though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I have given birth to you through the good news.

You know how we dealt with each one of you. It was like a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging and showing you. You should walk worthily of God, who called you into his own kingdom and glory.

My little children, of whom I am again in labor pains until Christ is formed in you

We did not try to get praise from anyone, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we could have made demands on you. But we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children.

For I think that God has placed us apostles last as men appointed to death. We are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.

Thanks to God, who always leads us in triumph (triumphal procession) in Christ. He makes known through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God. We are an aroma for those who are saved and those who perish. To the one an aroma of death leading to death and to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed (set apart) for the good news of God,

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in union with Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and ministerial servants:

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness.

You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace (loving-kindness) that is in Christ Jesus. What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow. Remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us. Keep (guard) (obey) (preserve) the good things that have been entrusted to you.