55 Bible Verses about Paul, Life Of
Most Relevant Verses
I might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks to have confidence in the flesh, I have more! I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
The commander went to Paul and asked him: Tell me, are you a Roman citizen? Yes, answered Paul. The commander said: I became one by paying a large amount of money. I am one by birth, Paul answered.
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as zealous for God as are all of you.
But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city and I request that you allow me to speak to the people.
After this Paul left Athens to go to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus who is currently from Italy with his wife Priscilla. Claudius commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. So he came to them. He was of the same trade as Paul. So he stayed with them and worked at their tentmaker trade.
I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest. He asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, that if he found any there who belonged to The Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
I answered, 'Lord they know very well that I went to the synagogues and arrested and beat those who believe in you. When your witness Stephen was put to death, I was there, approving of his murder and taking care of the coats of his murderers.'
You heard about the way I lived as a Jew. How I persecuted the congregation of God beyond measure. In fact I tried to destroy it!
Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest. He asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, that if he found any there who belonged to The Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shined around him.read more.
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. 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.
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as zealous for God as are all of you. I persecuted the people who followed this Way to the point of death. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison. The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received letters from them written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished.read more.
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. 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 was convinced that I should oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. That I did in Jerusalem. I locked up many of the holy ones in prison. I received authority from the chief priests and gave the command to put them to death. I punished them in every synagogue and tried to force them to recant their beliefs. I was exceedingly mad against them. I persecuted them even in strange cities.read more.
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.) 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.'
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). I did not go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before I was. I went away to Arabia and again I returned to Damascus.
The governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me. So I was let down in a basket through an opening in the wall and escaped from him.
He ate and was strengthened. Saul spent several days with the disciples at Damascus. He preached in the synagogues immediately. He preached Christ the Son of God. All who heard him were amazed. They asked: Is he the one who raised havoc with those who called on this name in Jerusalem? Did he come for that purpose to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?read more.
Saul increased in power and confounded the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. After many days the Jews took counsel to kill him. Saul learned about their plot against him. They watched the gates day and night to kill him. During the night the disciples let him down by the wall in a basket.
Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and waited with him fifteen days.
When Saul came to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples. They were afraid of him and did not believe he was a disciple. Barnabas led him to the apostles. He declared to them how he had seen the Lord in The Way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. He was with them coming in and going out of Jerusalem.
He spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He had a dispute with the Greek speaking Jews and they made attempts to kill him. When the brothers detected this they brought him to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus.
Then Barnabas departed to Tarsus to seek Saul. When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They met with the congregation for a whole year. They taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
There were prophets and teachers in the congregation at Antioch. This included: Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to God, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said: Set Barnabas and Saul apart for the work I have called them. After they fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them away.read more.
Being sent by Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. They preached the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews at Salamis. John was also there as an attendant. They traveled the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they found Barjesus. He was a sorcerer, a false prophet and a Jew.
Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue of the Jews at Iconium. There they spoke to a great crowd of Jews and Greeks who became believers.
Fourteen years later I went again to Jerusalem with Barnabas. I took Titus with me also. I went in response to a revelation. I demonstrated to them the way I spread the good news among the people of the nations. I did this privately before them for they have a reputation. I am concerned that by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain. Titus was with me and he was not persuaded to be circumcised. He is a Greek.read more.
This occurred because of the false brothers brought in secretly. They came to spy out our liberty that we have in Christ Jesus. This was so they might bring us into bondage. We did not yield to them for a moment or an hour! That way the truth of the good news (the whole body of Christian teachings) might continue with you. Those who were recognized as important people did not add a single thing to my message. What sort of people they were makes no difference to me. God does not play favorites (show partiality). On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the good news to people who are not circumcised. Just as Peter had been entrusted with the good news to the people who are circumcised. The one who made Peter an apostle to the Jewish people (who are circumcised) also made me an apostle to the people of the nations (who are not circumcised). 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. They wanted us to remember the poor. I was eager (zealous) to do this very thing.
Some men came down from Judea to teach the brothers. They said: You cannot be saved unless you become circumcised according to the custom of Moses. Paul and Barnabas had an intense (harsh) dispute and debate with them. They concluded that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to settle this question. The congregation sent them on their way. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations. They brought great joy to all the brothers.read more.
Then they went to Jerusalem where the apostles and elders and congregation greeted them. They declared all the things that God had done for them. The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
After time passed Paul said to Barnabas: Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the Word of God, and see how they are doing. Barnabas decided to take John, whose surname was Mark, with them. Paul did not think it a good idea to take him with them. So he left them at Pamphylia.read more.
Their disagreement was so great between them that they parted company. So Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and departed, being entrusted by the brothers to the grace of God. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the congregations.
The Holy Spirit did not let them preach the message in the province of Asia. So they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. When they reached the border of Mysia, they tried to go into the province of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. They traveled through Mysia and went to Troas.
Paul had a vision that night. In it he saw a Macedonian standing and pleading with him, Come over to Macedonia and help us! After Paul had this vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia. We decided that God had called us to preach the good news to the people there. We left by ship from Troas and sailed to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis.read more.
From there we went inland to Philippi, a city of the first district of Macedonia. It is also a Roman colony. We spent several days there.
They passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens. He sent orders to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as soon as possible.
Paul stayed many days. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria. Also with Paul were Priscilla and Aquila. Paul clipped this hair short in Cenchreae because of a vow. They traveled to Ephesus where he left them. Paul entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay longer he declined.read more.
I will return again to you if it is God's will, Paul said. Then he set sail from Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he greeted the congregation and traveled to Antioch.
After spending some time there he departed through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia strengthening all the disciples.
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them: Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They said: We have never even heard of a Holy Spirit. Paul asked: What kind of baptism did you get? They replied: It was the baptism John taught.read more.
Paul said: John baptized with the baptism of repentance. He told the people they should believe in Jesus, the one who came after John. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul laid his hands on them and Holy Spirit came upon them. They spoke with tongues and prophesied. There were twelve men in all. He entered the synagogue and spoke boldly reasoning and persuading about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months. Some were obstinate and publicly maligned The Way before the crowds. He departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This continued for two years so that all who lived in this part of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 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.
If I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage was it to me if the dead do not rise? Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.
I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door that leads to activity is opened to me. Yet there are many people working against me.
In this confidence I was willing to come to you first that you might have a second benefit. To pass by you to Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be helped by you on my journey to Judea.
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears. Not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have more abundantly for you.
I told you in advance as if I were present the second time. Being absent now I write to those who have sinned and to all others. If I come again I will not spare you.
After the uproar ceased Paul sent for the disciples. He encouraged them. Then he left for Macedonia. He went to Greece after traveling through the area giving encouragement. After three months he set sail for Syria. He decided to return through Macedonia. He left there because the Jews formed a plot against him.read more.
Those who accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. They left early and were waiting for us at Troas. We sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread. Five days later we met them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Now when I came to Troas for the good news of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord, I had no relief for my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother: but leaving them, I went to Macedonia.
We sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread. Five days later we met them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
After we parted from them we set sail with a straight course to Cos. The next day we went to Rhodes and then to Patara. We went aboard a ship sailing to Phoenicia. We passed to the south of Cyprus and sailed to Syria. We landed at Tyre where the ship unloaded it's cargo.read more.
Having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days. Guided by the Spirit the disciples urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. When the time came we left there and went on our journey. All the disciples, their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach and prayed, and said goodbye. We went on board the ship as they returned home. We traveled from Tyre to Ptolemais where the brothers greeted us and we stayed with them one day. The next morning we left for Caesarea where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist and one of the seven.
Now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the holy ones. It pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor holy ones in Jerusalem.
When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple stirred up the entire crowd and laid hands on him. They shouted: Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and defiled this holy place. They had previously been with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the Temple.read more.
The entire city was aroused, and the people ran together from all directions. They laid hold on Paul and dragged him out of the Temple. Immediately the doors were shut. They were seeking to kill him when tidings came to the military commander of the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion. At once he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When they saw the military commander and the soldiers they quit beating Paul. Then the military commander came near and laid hold on him. He commanded that he be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another. The commander could not find out the facts because of the uproar so he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.
When day arrived some of the Jews came together and united with an oath saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty involved in this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said: We have united with a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.read more.
Now therefore you, with the Sanhedrin, inform the commander that he bring him down to you tomorrow. You say you would inquire some more regarding him. We are ready to put him to death before he comes near. Hearing about the ambush, Paul's sister's son entered the barracks and reported to Paul. Paul called one of the centurions and said: Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him. The officer took him to the commander, and said: The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to say to you. The commander took him by the hand and led him off by himself, and asked: What do you have to tell me? He said: The Jewish authorities have agreed to ask you tomorrow to take Paul down to the Council. They want you to pretend the Council wants to get more accurate information about him. Do not give in to them. There are more than forty men lying in wait for him. They are united with an oath that they will neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready and looking for a promise from you.
He called two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea. Also prepare seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night. Provide some horses for Paul to ride and get him safely through to Governor Felix. Then the commander wrote a letter that went like this:read more.
Claudius Lysias to His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings. The Jews seized this man and were about to kill him. I learned that he is a Roman citizen, so I went with my soldiers and rescued him. I took him to their council to find out of what they accused him. I found that he did not do a thing for which he deserved to die or be put in prison. The accusation against him had to do with questions about their own law. When I was informed that there was a plot against him, I decided to send him to you. I told his accusers to make their charges against him before you. The soldiers carried out their orders. That night they took Paul as far as Antipatris. The next day the foot soldiers returned to the fort and left the horsemen to go on with him. They took him to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor. Then they turned Paul over to him. The governor read the letter and asked Paul what province he was from. When he found out that he was from Cilicia, he said, I will hear you fully when your accusers arrive. He commanded him to be kept in the praetorian of Herod.
He commanded a centurion to keep Paul. Allow him some freedom of custody and that some of his people should come and minister to him. A few days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ. He reasoned about righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. Felix trembled, and answered: Go your way for now. When I have time I will send for you.read more.
He hoped that Paul would give him money to free him. He sent for him frequently and conversed with him. After two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. Felix was willing to show the Jews a favor. He left Paul in prison.
Three days after arriving in the province Festus ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. The high priest and Jewish leaders brought charges against Paul. They desired favor against him that he would transfer him to Jerusalem. Then they would ambush him along the way and kill him.read more.
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he would go there shortly. He said: Let those who have authority among you go there with me to present your case against this man if there is anything out of the way about the man. After he stayed there more than ten days, he went to Caesarea. The next day he sat in judgment. He commanded Paul be brought before him. When he arrived the Jews who also came there from Jerusalem presented many grievous complaints against Paul. They could not prove them. Paul defended himself: Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I committed any sin. Festus was willing to do the Jews a favor, so he answered Paul: Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? I stand at Caesar's court, Paul replied, where I ought to be judged. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you are finding out. If I am a wrongdoer, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if charges brought against me by the Jews are not true no man has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar. Then Festus conferred with his council and answered: Have you appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go.
When it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and other prisoners to a man named Julius, a centurion of the band of Augustus. We entered a ship at Adramyttium and set sail. We intended to sail by the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica was with us. The next day we landed at Sidon. Julius treated Paul in a kind way and gave him liberty to go to his friends to refresh himself.read more.
When we set sail from there we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. When we sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy. He put us on it. We sailed slowly for many days and had problems arriving off Cnidus. The wind did not allow us to hold our course. So we sailed to the downwind part of Crete near Salmone. It was difficult to move along the coast. We came to a place called Fair Havens near the town of Lasea. Much time had been lost and sailing was now dangerous. Because the fast was over Paul admonished them, Men, I see that our voyage from here on will be dangerous. There will be great damage to the cargo and to the ship, and loss of life as well. But the army officer was convinced by what the captain and the owner of the ship said, and not by what Paul said. It was not a good harbor in which to spend the winter. Nearly everyone was in favor of putting out to sea and trying to reach Phoenix in order to spend the winter there. Phoenix is a harbor in Crete that faces southwest and northwest. A gentle wind from the south began to blow. The men thought they could accomplish their plan. So they pulled up the anchor and sailed as close as possible along the coast of Crete. Soon a very strong northeast wind blew down from the island. It hit the ship and it was impossible to keep the ship headed into the wind. We gave up trying and let it be carried along by the wind. We had shelter when we passed to the south of the little island of Cauda. There, with some difficulty we managed to make the ship's boat secure. They pulled it aboard and then fastened some ropes tight around the ship. They were afraid that they might run into the sandbanks (quicksand) off the coast of Libya, so they lowered the sail and allowed the ship be carried by the wind. The violent storm continued. The next day they began to throw some of the ship's cargo overboard. The following day they threw part of the ship's equipment overboard. The sun and stars did not appear for many days. No small tempest pressed upon us. All hope of our being saved was taken away. After they spent a long time without eating Paul stood up and said: Sirs, you should listen to me. You should not have put out to sea from Crete to sustain this damage and loss. I urge you to be of good cheer for none of you will lose your life, only the ship. Last night an angel of the God of whom I serve stood beside me. He said, Paul, do not be afraid. You must stand before Caessar and God has graciously given you the lives of you and all who sail with you. Be of good cheer. I believe God. It will happen just as he spoke to me. But we must run aground on some island. On the fourteenth night we were driven to and fro in the sea of Adria. About midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land. They sounded and found twenty fathoms. After a little space they sounded again and found fifteen fathoms.
After three months we sailed on an Alexandrian ship that wintered at the island. The ship had the gods Castor and Pollux carved on its front. We stopped at the city of Syracuse and stayed there three days. We sailed from Syracuse and arrived at the city of Rhegium. The next day a south wind began to blow, and two days later we arrived at the city of Puteoli.read more.
We came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we arrived at Rome. When the brothers had news for us they came out from town as far as Appius Forum (Market place on the Appian Road) and the Three Taverns to have a meeting with us. Paul saw them and praised God. He was encouraged. When we arrived at Rome they allowed Paul to have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.
As I urged you to stay at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that you might command certain men not to teach strange doctrines.
When you come, bring the books, parchments, and the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus.
I left you in Crete for this purpose, that you should correct the things that were defective, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave you orders.
When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, give diligence to come to me at Nicopolis where I will winter.
