Introduction
Apart from Christ Paul is the next major character in the New Testament writings. His character and presence tower over all other disciples and individuals. We learn much about him from his own words and writings. Especially Philippians, Galatians, and First and Second Corinthians. We are given three accounts of Paul's conversion and the book of Acts give more background information on his life.
Paul was a Jew, born of Jewish parents in the city of Tarsus, in the province of Cilicia, and was known in his early years as Saul of Tarsus.
Appearance
As to what Paul looked like there is only obscure allusive data from the New Testament. His Hebrew name Saul means 'asked for' while his Roman equivalent Paulos means 'little'. As his name suggests he was probably of small stature and build Acts 14:12; 2 Corinthians 10:10 Also there were two matters which must have reflected on his appearance.
First he had a 'bodily ailment' which he recognized as a trial to his converts and prayed for deliverance. Galatians 4:13-15; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Secondly there was the 'marks of Jesus' left on his body which were probably the marks of physical abuse suffered as a minister of the Gospel. 'Sacred Brands' Galatians 6:17
He also recognized that he wasn't the greatest preacher. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 10:10; 11:6 However this does not mean that Paul was not an wise and intelligent servant of God. He displayed a strong character and infectious spirit in the ministry.
A Bishop in the province of Asia during the second century described him as 'a man small of stature, with a bald head and crooked legs, in a good state of body, with eyebrows meeting and nose somewhat hooked, full of friendliness: for now he appears like man and now he had the face of an angel '(Acts of Paul and Thessal 3).
Education
Little is known about his family. Probably he came from a well-to-do home, because he was a Roman Citizen from birth. The fact that he was a Roman Citizen implies that his parents possessed some wealth and position. Acts 16:37,38
Jewish law prescribed that a boy begin the study of the scriptures at five years of age and the study of the legal Jewish traditions at age ten. (Josephus and Philo) According to his own testimony he was a Pharisee, as his father had been before him Acts 23:6, spoke Aramaic (a Hebrew of the Hebrews), and was taught the trade of tent making in his youth. Acts 18:13 The Jew was taught that manual labour was good, maintaining that intellectual ability and physical activity go hand in hand. Tent making was a noble trade, clean and respected in Paul's day.
Also, he was of the tribe of Benjamin. Philippians 3:5 Historically the Benjamites were fighters, and Paul seems to give evidence of an abundance of zeal in all his endeavours, especially in the persecution of the Church. Galatians 1:13
At thirteen a Jewish Boy becomes a Bar Mitzvah 'son of the commandment' and take upon themselves the full obligation of the law. Those who show exceptional ability are directed into rabbinical schools with special teachers. At an early age he went to Jerusalem, and probably lived with the married sister spoken of in Acts 23:16 and according to his recorded testimony in Acts, studied under the noted Rabban Gamaliel I, leading teacher of the School of Hillel (22:3). (The Rabbinical school of Hillel allowed his students greater freedom in their education than Shammai. They were even allowed to read the Greek writers.) Paul says in Galatians that he had advanced in the Jew's religion' beyond many of his contemporaries 'being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers' (1:14).
Marital Status
It will probably never be conclusively settled whether Paul was ever married or not. Some argue that he had to be married to be a member of the Sanhedrin. But this was instituted later in the order. 1 Corinthians 7:8 states that Paul is single by implication. Probably Paul remained single throughout his life to minister to the people. This does not mean that others apostles were not married. Peter was married according to Mark 1:30.
Conversion
The beginning of Saul's campaign to exterminate the Church coincided with the murder of Stephen. Acts 7 Not only did he persecute 'both men and women' in Jerusalem, but, with letters of arrest from the high priest (Joseph Caiaphas), he went to other cities as well to carry on his work. Acts 26:10,11 It was on one such mission that Saul of Tarsus met Jesus and was dramatically converted.
The account of Paul conversion can be found in Acts 9 and Galatians 1:11-19. Paul had denied the Christian claim that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. He was present the day Stephen was stoned and stood by consenting to his death.
It is hard to describe the details of the conversion of Saul. But we do know that he had a life changing encounter with the Lord of Glory. Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:7ff., 2 Corinthians 5:14-19. While the experience was sudden and dramatic, the effects were enduring. It brought about great psychological and intellectual changes besides the spiritual transformation. This may explain his time spent in Arabia and Damascus before his first visit to Jerusalem. Galatians 1:16-19 Then he went back to his home territory and for a period of eight to ten years little is known of his activities. Gal. 1:23 hints at a preaching ministry. Paul leaves us in no doubt, however, that Christ had both appointed him an apostle and revealed the Gospel to him, so that 'he might preach it among the Gentiles.' Galatians 1:1-20
Ministry
With the invitation of Barnabas to join him at Syrian Antioch he started his missionary labours. For the next twenty years or so Paul carries on a vast missionary activity throughout the whole Mediterranean. His journeys took him to Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia Minor to mention only a few. Here he founded, and organised churches in all these areas.
Together with Barnabas, Peter, James, and other leaders of the Church, Paul had a major part in resolving the problem of the basis of Gentile salvation and the matters of fellowship between Jew and Gentile. Paul's concern that the Gospel might reach out to all the world triumphed over the narrower view of the Jerusalem Apostles. He had truly caught the vision of his Lord that the message should go out to all nations. Matthew 28:18-20
For Further Study See Missionary Journey's