Original Word: Παῦλος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Paulos
Pronunciation: PAU-los
Phonetic Spelling: (pow'-los)
KJV: Paul, Paulus
NASB: Paul, Paul's, Paulus
Word Origin: [of Latin origin]

1. little
2. Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle
{remotely derived from G3973, meaning the same}

Paul, Paulus.

Of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of pauo, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle -- Paul, Paulus.

see GREEK pauo

Word Origin
of Latin origin
Definition
(Sergius) Paulus (a Rom. proconsul), also Paul (an apostle)
NASB Translation
Paul (152), Paul's (5), Paulus (1).

STRONGS NT 3972: Παῦλος

Παῦλος, Παύλου, ὁ (a Latin proper name, Paulus), Paul. Two persons of this name are mentioned in the N. T., viz.:

1. Sergius Paulus, a Roman propraetor (proconsul; cf. Σέργιος, and B. D., under the phrase, Sergius Paulus), converted to Christ by the agency of the apostle Paul: Acts 13:7.

2. the apostle Paul, whose Hebrew name was Saul (see Σαούλ, Σαῦλος). He was born at Tarsus in Cilicia (Acts 9:11; Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3) of Jewish parents (Philippians 3:5). His father was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6) and a Roman citizen; hence, he himself was a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:28; Acts 16:37). He was endowed with remarkable gifts, both moral and intellectual. He learned the trade of a σκηνοποιός (which see). Brought to Jerusalem in early youth, he was thoroughly indoctrinated in the Jewish theology by the Pharisee Gamaliel (Acts 22:3; Acts 5:34). At first he attacked and persecuted the Christians most fiercely; at length, on his way to Damascus, he was suddenly converted to Christ by g miracle, and became an indefatigable and undaunted preacher of Christ; and the founder of many Christian churches. And not only by his unwearied labors did he establish a claim to the undying esteem of the friends of Christianity, but also by the fact, which appears from his immortal Epistles, that he caught perfectly the mind of his heavenly Master and taught most unequivocally that salvation was designed by God for all men who repose a living faith in Jesus Christ, and that bondage to the Mosaic law is wholly incompatible with the spiritual liberty of which Christ is the author. By his zeal and doctrine he drew upon himself the deadly hatred of the Jews, who at Jerusalem in the year 57 (or 58 according to the more common opinion; yet see the chronological table in Meyer (or Lange) on Acts; Farrar, St. Paul, ii. excurs. x.) brought about his imprisonment; and as a captive he was carried first to Caesarea in Palestine, and two years later to Rome, where he suffered martyrdom (in the year 64). For the number of those daily grows smaller who venture to defend the ecclesiastical tradition for which Eusebius is responsible (h. e. 2, 22, 2) (but of which traces seem to be found in Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 5, 7 [ET]; can. Murator. (cf. Westcott, Canon, 5th edition, p. 521f)), according to which Paul, released from this imprisonment, is said to have preached in Spain and Asia Minor; and subsequently, imprisoned a second-time, to have been at length put to death at Rome in the year 67 or 68, while Nero was still emperor. (On this point cf. Meyer on Romans, Introduction, § 1; Harnack on Clement to the Romans, the passage cited; Lightfoot, ibid., p. 49f; Holtzmann, Die Pastoralbriefe, Einl., chapter iv., p. 37ff; references in Heinichen's note on Eusebius, h. e. as above; see Hofmann, Die heilige Schrift Neuen Testaments. 5ter Theil, p. 4ff; Farrar, St. Paul, vol. ii. excurs. viii.; Schaff, History of Apostolic Christianity (1882), p. 331f) Paul is mentioned in the N. T. not only in the Acts and in the Epistles from his pen, but also in 2 Peter 3:15. (For bibliog. references respecting his life and its debatable points see the article Paulus by Woldemar Schmidt in Herzog edition 2 vol. xi., pp. 356-389.)

Identity and Conversion

Born in Tarsus of Cilicia (Acts 22:3), Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5) and trained under Gamaliel in strict Pharisaic tradition. Zealous for the Law, he persecuted the church until the risen Christ met him on the Damascus road. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” (Acts 9:4). Struck blind, he surrendered to the lordship of Jesus, received baptism, and began proclaiming “that Jesus is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20).

Apostolic Commission

Ananias was told, “Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Paul later testified, “The Lord… appointed me to witness to both small and great” (Acts 26:16-23). His call was independent yet harmonious with the Twelve, authenticated by signs, sufferings, and fruitful churches (2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 2:9).

Missionary Endeavors

• First Journey (Acts 13–14): With Barnabas, Paul evangelized Cyprus and South Galatia, declaring, “Through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (Acts 13:38).
• Jerusalem Council (Acts 15): He defended Gentile freedom, insisting that salvation is by grace alone.
• Second Journey (Acts 15:36–18:22): With Silas and later Timothy and Luke, he planted churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
• Third Journey (Acts 18:23–21:17): Strengthened the churches in Galatia and Asia, spent three years in Ephesus, and raised a substantial relief offering for Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-27).
• Voyage to Rome (Acts 27–28): After arrest in Jerusalem and trials before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, he appealed to Caesar. On Malta he healed the sick (Acts 28:8-9). In Rome he preached “with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31).

The Apostle’s Theology

Paul’s letters unfold the gospel’s riches:
• Justification by faith apart from works (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16).
• Union with Christ in death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5).
• Life in the Spirit contrasted with flesh (Romans 8; Galatians 5).
• The church as Christ’s body, a mystery now revealed (Ephesians 3:6; Colossians 1:26-27).
• Future glory and the Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Timothy 4:8).

His theology is pastoral, aiming at transformed communities that “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” (Ephesians 4:1).

Relationship with the Early Church

Though once feared (Acts 9:26), Paul gained the right hand of fellowship from James, Cephas, and John (Galatians 2:9). He coordinated relief for Judea (Acts 11:29-30) and reported God’s work among the nations (Acts 21:19). His confrontation with Peter in Antioch (Galatians 2:11-14) defended gospel integrity, not personal rivalry.

Suffering and Perseverance

“Countless beatings, often near death” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28) authenticated his ministry. Imprisoned in Philippi, he sang hymns at midnight (Acts 16:25). Shipwrecked, stoned, and chained, he declared, “The word of God cannot be chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). His resilience models Christ-like endurance (Philippians 3:10).

Pastoral Heart and Discipleship

Paul fathered converts (1 Corinthians 4:15), trained co-workers such as Timothy, Titus, and Luke, and affirmed women laborers like Priscilla, Phoebe, and Euodia. His letters brim with prayer: “I kneel before the Father… that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:14-17).

Canonical Contribution

Thirteen epistles bear his name, shaping doctrine, ethics, and church order. Peter acknowledged them as Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16). The authenticity of Paul’s voice is often marked: “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand” (1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17).

Defense before Authorities

Before Felix: “I have a hope in God… that there will be a resurrection” (Acts 24:15).

Before Festus and Agrippa: “I stand testifying to both small and great… that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light” (Acts 26:22-23). His legal appeals advanced the gospel into imperial circles (Philippians 1:12-13).

Final Imprisonment and Anticipation of Glory

From a Roman cell he wrote, “I am already being poured out like a drink offering… I have fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Tradition records his martyrdom under Nero, sealing testimony with blood.

Legacy

Paul’s life displays the gospel’s power to transform a persecutor into “a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). His teaching anchors Christian orthodoxy, his example fuels missions, and his inspired letters continue to equip the saints until the Lord returns.

Παυλε Παῦλε Παυλον Παῦλον ΠΑΥΛΟΣ Παῦλος Παυλου Παύλου Παυλω Παύλῳ παύσιν Paule Paûle Paulo Paulō Paúloi Paúlōi Paulon Paûlon PAULOS Paûlos Paulou PaúlouInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts