English 
Arabic 
Spanish 
Portuguese 
Chinese 
Russian 
French 
Italian 
German 
Japanese 
Dutch Saul to Paul: Discovering Your God-Given Identity!
Have you ever wondered about the story of a man who went from being known as Saul to one of the most incredible figures in history, the Apostle Paul? This amazing man of God spread the Good News far and wide, and his letters are a precious part of our Bible. People often ask, “Was his name Saul, or was it Paul? When did that change happen, and why?” Get ready to be encouraged, because we’re going to explore these questions in a way that’s easy to understand and uplifts your spirit!
When Did “Saul” Start Being Called “Paul” in the Bible?
God has a perfect timing for everything, and the Bible shows us exactly when the name “Paul” stepped onto the main stage for the man we first knew as “Saul.”
A Clear Moment in Scripture
This first big mention is right there in Acts 13:9. The Word says, “Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.” Isn’t that something? This happened on the beautiful island of Cyprus, during Paul’s very first missionary journey – and this was a good while after his incredible, life-changing encounter with Jesus! 1 The writer of Acts, Luke, tells us that “Saul, who
also is called Paul,” showing us that both names were part of who he was. But from this point forward, as Paul stepped into his destiny, Luke almost always calls him Paul.¹
Before the Big Shift
Before this moment, the Book of Acts always called him “Saul.” He was “Saul” when Stephen, a man full of faith, was martyred (Acts 7:58). It was “Saul” who was trying to stop the church in Acts 8:1-3, and “Saul” who had that amazing, course-correcting meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. So, when we see the shift in Acts 13:9, it really stands out! It happened when he was talking with a very important Roman official, Sergius Paulus, and a sorcerer. This setting, right at the start of his mission to share the Good News with people who weren’t Jewish (the Gentiles), is a big clue.
A Sign of a New Season
The way Luke wrote it in Greek, Saulos de ho kai Paulos (“Saul, who also is Paul”), was a common way back then to say someone had two names.² It’s like Luke was putting up a little sign for us readers, saying, “Get ready, something new is happening!” It signaled that this was how this hero of faith would mostly be known from then on. More than that, it showed a shift in who he was reaching and the amazing, wide-open scope of his ministry. Luke used “Saul” when he was ministering to Jewish people or in Jerusalem. But introducing “Paul” right when he’s with a Roman leader and starting his big mission to the Gentiles shows that Luke was highlighting the name that fit this new, exciting chapter. It means Paul already had this name, and it became front-and-center to show that the Gospel is for everyone, everywhere! So, the timing was all about his mission unfolding, not something like his conversion.
Did God Officially Change Saul’s Name to Paul, Like He Did with Abraham?
That’s a wonderful question, and so many faithful people ask it! We see in the Bible how God sometimes gave people new names for a special reason. Think about Abram, whose name God changed to Abraham, meaning “father of a multitude,” when He made a powerful promise to him (Genesis 17:5). And Jacob became Israel, “he strives with God,” after that famous wrestling match (Genesis 32:28). Jesus Himself changed Simon’s name to Peter (which means “rock” in Aramaic), showing his strong role in the Church (Matthew 16:18).³ These were big, God-given moments that showed a new identity or a new purpose.
A Different Kind of “Change”
But here’s the thing: the story of Saul and Paul is a little different. The Bible doesn’t actually say that God or Jesus ever officially renamed Saul to Paul.⁴ Like we saw, Acts 13:9 says, “Saul, who
also is called Paul,” which really tells us he already had both names.² It wasn’t God saying, “You’re not Saul anymore, now you’re Paul.” Instead, it was more about which of his names he started using more, especially as his ministry grew.
Let’s look at it this way:
| Individual (Original \-\> New) | Who Made the Change? | Why Was It Significant? | Key Scripture(s) |
|
|---|
A New Identity in Christ
Many people think God changed his name because Paul’s own transformation was so huge and powerful! 7 And because name changes in the Bible often mean something big, it’s natural to think that way. But the Bible shows us something a bit more practical here: Paul already had both names. The real “new identity” he got was his identity “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17). That didn’t need a big renaming ceremony from God it did mean using everything he had, including his names, to serve the Lord and share the Gospel.⁸ Knowing this helps us see just how thoughtful and strategic Paul was in his ministry, which went hand-in-hand with his amazing spiritual turnaround.
Why Did Saul Have Two Names, Saul and Paul, to Begin With?
It’s fascinating, isn’t it? Saul having two names, Saul and Paul, tells us so much about his unique background. He was a Jewish man, born in a Roman city, and he was a Roman citizen!
His Hebrew Roots: Saul
His Hebrew name was Saul (שָׁאוּל, Sha’ul). His loving Jewish parents gave him this name. It’s a special name in Israel’s history – Israel’s very first king was named Saul, and just like the apostle, he was from the tribe of Benjamin.² This name, “Saul,” was what his family called him, what he used in the synagogue, and with his fellow Jewish people.
His Roman Connection: Paul
His Roman name was Paul (Latin: Paulus). This was likely his cognomen, a third name that Roman citizens often had, kind of like a family name or a special nickname.² Paul was born in a city called Tarsus in Cilicia (Acts 21:39, 22:3), which was a big deal city in a Roman area.⁹ And here’s something important: Paul said in Acts 22:28 that he was “born a citizen.” That means he got Roman citizenship from his family, and that came with a lot of rights and protections all over the Roman Empire.¹⁰ So, it’s very likely he had the Roman name “Paulus” right from when he was a baby or a little boy because of this.⁸
A Common Practice in a Diverse World
Having two names wasn’t strange back then, especially for Jewish people living in cities with a lot of Greek influence, or for those who, like Paul, were Roman citizens.² Many people moved between different cultures and found it helpful to have a name for each one. Think of John Mark, who wrote the Gospel of Mark – he had a Jewish name, John, and a Roman name, Marcus. Old writings from that time show many Jewish people with both a Jewish name and a Greek or Latin name.¹²
So, Paul’s two names show us how his Jewish heritage and his life in the bigger Roman world came together. This wasn’t just a small detail; it showed the exciting, mixed-up world he lived in. Jewish people living outside their homeland, like Paul’s family in Tarsus, had to figure out how to keep their traditions while being part of this larger Greek and Roman society. Having a Roman name like “Paulus” and a Hebrew name like “Saul” would have made it easier to connect with everyone. This two-part identity, shown in his names, was something God would use in a mighty way for his special mission to share the Gospel with all kinds of people. His birth in Tarsus and his Roman citizenship were why he had the name “Paulus” from the start, and this name became a powerful tool for his ministry.
What Do the Names “Saul” and “Paul” Actually Mean?
It’s always interesting to know what names mean, and “Saul” and “Paul” come from different languages and have their own special meanings.
Saul: A Desired Child
“Saul” is a Hebrew name. Scholars tell us that שָׁאוּל (šʾwl in Hebrew, or Saulos or Saoul in Greek) means “the child asked for” or “prayed for.” 2 This beautiful meaning suggests a child who was deeply wanted by his parents, or maybe one they dedicated to God from a young age. It connects him to his Jewish faith and his tribe, Benjamin, which, as we said, also gave us King Saul, whose name meant the same thing.
Paul: Small in Stature, Great in Spirit
“Paul,” or Paulus in Latin (Παῦλος, Paulos, in Greek), comes from Latin. It means “small” or “little.” 2 “Paulus” was a common Roman cognomen (that third name we talked about).
It’s also interesting that the Greek way of saying “Saul” (Σαῦλος, Saulos) might have sounded a bit odd to Greek speakers. The word σαῦλος (saulos) could mean “girly” or “stuck-up,” or even describe a funny way of walking.² While this probably wasn’t the main reason he preferred “Paul,” it might have been a little something that made “Paul” a better, more comfortable choice when he was talking to Greek-speaking people.
Here’s a quick look:
| Name | Language Origin | Meaning | When He Mostly Used It |
|
|---|
Humility in a Name
Even though the name “Paul” meaning “small” was probably just a common Roman name his parents gave him, it’s so interesting how it lines up with Paul’s own heart and what he taught. He often talked about how unworthy he felt, even calling himself “the least of the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9). He always said that God’s power shows up best when we feel weak (2 Corinthians 12:9). Some smart people, like N.T. Wright, think this connection is probably just a coincidence, since he likely had that Roman name from birth because he was a citizen.¹⁴ But whether it was planned or just how God works things out, the meaning of “Paulus” fits so well with the deep humility that marked Paul’s amazing ministry. It reminds us that God often chooses what the world thinks is small or weak to do His greatest works!
What Was the Main Reason Saul Began to Use the Name Paul More Often?
The biggest reason for the shift from “Saul” to “Paul” as his main name was all tied up with his God-given calling and his smart way of being the “apostle to the Gentiles.” After that incredible turnaround in his life, Paul knew his main job was to take the Good News to people who weren’t Jewish.⁴
Building Bridges with a Familiar Name
Using his Roman name, “Paul,” when he was with Gentiles was just plain wise and practical. For people who spoke Greek or Latin, the name “Paul” would have sounded normal and right, while “Saul,” a Hebrew name, might have sounded a bit strange or even put up a little wall.⁸ This choice helped him connect with people more easily in that big Greco-Roman world. It was a thoughtful decision, showing that famous idea he wrote about in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible… I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Using his Roman name for his Gentile ministry was just like that – trying to make people comfortable and share his message in a way they could really hear.⁴
Perfect Timing for a New Focus
The timing of this shift in Acts chapter 13 really backs this up. It happens right when he’s starting his first big mission trip into places where mostly Gentiles lived. And, importantly, it’s when he’s talking with that Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, on Cyprus.¹ When you’re in the office of a Roman governor, using your Roman name “Paul” would have been the natural and respectful thing to do.² Once he really got going with his mission to the Gentiles from Cyprus on, it just made sense, both for him and for Luke telling the story, for him to be known mostly as Paul.
Wisdom in Action
Paul’s smart use of his names is like an early example of being sensitive to culture when you share your faith. He didn’t see his names as something stiff and unchangeable. He saw them as tools he could use for the bigger purpose of spreading the Gospel. This ability to adapt, without ever changing the core message, shows how well he understood that things like names can help you communicate and build relationships. It shows how important it is to be aware of who you’re talking to and to remove any unnecessary roadblocks to the Gospel. That’s a lesson that’s still so important for us today as we share our faith with all kinds of people! 14
Did Saul’s Name Change Happen When He Met Jesus on the Road to Damascus?
This is a really common idea, that Saul’s name changed to Paul right when he had that amazing, blinding-light experience on the road to Damascus. But the Bible actually shows us that’s not quite how it happened.⁵ The shift in how his name was used in the Book of Acts comes quite a bit
after that incredible event.¹
“Saul, Saul, Why Do You Persecute Me?”
Let’s think back to that powerful conversion story in Acts chapters 9, 22, and 26. Saul was on his way to Damascus, planning to arrest Christians. Suddenly, a bright light flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4).⁷ Notice that? It’s Jesus Himself calling him “Saul.” Then, when Ananias, a believer in Damascus, was sent by God to heal Saul, he greeted him as “Brother Saul” (Acts 9:17). So, all through the story of his conversion and right after, he’s still called Saul.¹⁵
A Later Shift for a Broader Mission
As we’ve seen, the name “Paul” really comes to the front in Acts 13:9, when Saul is on his first missionary trip to Cyprus. That’s some time after his Damascus road experience in Acts 9. There’s no doubt that meeting Jesus on that road changed everything for him – his beliefs, his life’s direction, his future forever! But it wasn’t the moment his name was divinely changed, or when he immediately started being called Paul all the time.
The Real Transformation
Why do so many people think the name change happened then? Well, it’s such a dramatic story! A man who hated Christians becomes their biggest champion – it’s so powerful that people might naturally link the name shift to this huge turnaround, because a new name often means a new beginning. But the Bible is clear: Jesus and Ananias called him Saul after he met Christ. The real change on the Damascus Road wasn’t his name his heart, his loyalty to Jesus, and his understanding of God’s amazing plan for everyone.⁵ The later shift to using “Paul” more often was a practical step as he began the new mission God had given him.
By Using the Name Paul, Was He Trying to Hide That He Was Jewish?
Absolutely not! There’s no sign at all that when the apostle started using the name “Paul” more, he was trying to hide or run away from his Jewish identity. In fact, Paul spoke up proudly and clearly about his Jewish background many times in his ministry and his writings.⁸ His choice to use “Paul” was all about communicating effectively and being sensitive to the culture of the Gentiles he was reaching out to. It wasn’t about trying to blend in or deny his roots.
Proud of His Heritage
Paul loved his Jewish heritage and made it plain. In Philippians 3:4-6, he lists his credentials: “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee.” In Romans 11:1, he asks, “Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.” And in 2 Corinthians 11:22, when he was dealing with some people causing trouble, he declared, “Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.” those are not the words of someone trying to hide who he is!
Still Connected to His People
Even when he was known as Paul and ministering mostly to Gentiles, whenever he went into a new city, the first thing he usually did was go to the Jewish synagogue to share the Good News (like in Acts 13:14-16 in Pisidian Antioch; Acts 17:1-2 in Thessalonica; Acts 18:4 in Corinth). This shows he stayed connected to his own people and wanted them to hear about Jesus too.
A Strategic Choice, Not a Denial
His use of “Paul” was a smart choice, not a sneaky one. It was about being, as one wise person said, “in but not of” the world – keeping his strong Christian and Jewish identity while thoughtfully connecting with the Greek and Roman culture around him.¹⁴ One scholar, C.K. Barrett, even suggested that Luke first calls him “Saul” so much in the early part of Acts to really show us how deeply Jewish he was before the story moves to his wider mission to the Gentiles.² Another scholar, Michael Kruger, points out that Paul didn’t stop being Jewish (Saul) when he talked to Gentiles, and he didn’t hide his Roman side (Paul) when he talked to Jewish people. What a great example of how to connect with different cultures! 14
Paul’s ability to be both Jewish (Saul) and Roman (Paul) in such a positive and fruitful way is key to understanding his special calling. He showed us how our own unique identity, instead of being a wall, can be a bridge for a worldwide mission. He didn’t become “less Jewish” to reach Gentiles. Instead, he wisely used the parts of his amazing, multi-faceted identity that would best serve the Gospel in each situation. His deep Jewish identity gave him the understanding of the Scriptures, and his Roman identity and name opened doors and gave him tools for his Gentile mission. Both were so important and, as he believed, God had prepared him from birth for the work He called him to do (Galatians 1:15).¹⁴
What Did Early Christian Writers and Church Fathers Say About Saul’s Name Change?
Those wise early Christian writers and leaders, often called the Church Fathers, who lived in the centuries right after the apostles, did talk about the shift from “Saul” to “Paul.” They often focused on what this change symbolized, sometimes linking it more directly to his conversion or a big turning point than many of today’s scholars do. Although their ideas about how the name usage changed might be a bit different from our understanding that he likely had both names earlier, their spiritual insights are so valuable.
A Symbol of a New Life
Many of these early Fathers saw the change from “Saul” to “Paul” as a really big deal, often seeing it as a sign of his new life in Christ and a total break from his past when he was persecuting believers.¹⁴ For them, the name change was a powerful picture of his transformation.
Insights from Jerome and Augustine
For instance, Jerome (who lived around 347–420 AD), a brilliant Bible scholar who translated the Bible into Latin, suggested that Saul took the name “Paul” to honor his first important Gentile convert, Sergius Paulus, the Roman leader in Cyprus (Acts 13:6-12).² This idea directly connects the name “Paul” to a big win in his mission work, marking his success with the Gentiles.
Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD), another giant of faith, connected the name “Paul,” meaning “little” or “small,” to the wonderful quality of humility. He saw a contrast with the pride that could be linked to Israel’s first king, Saul, who was from the same tribe as the apostle. Augustine believed “Paul” showed the apostle’s changed heart, especially his humility after he met Jesus.¹⁶ He thought there was a definite name change that showed this deep spiritual shift.
Chrysostom’s Perspective
John Chrysostom (around 347–407 AD), famous for his powerful preaching (his name means “golden-mouthed”!), also talked a lot about Paul’s life in his sermons on Acts. Although we don’t have as many direct quotes from him about a specific theory on the name change compared to Jerome or Augustine, other summaries say he recognized a name change.¹⁶ He might have not focused so much on what the names meant literally but still saw importance in the shift, perhaps linking “Saul” to the king and “Paul” (little one) as having a moral or spiritual meaning.¹⁶ His sermons on Acts 9 (Paul’s conversion) and Acts 13 (meeting Sergius Paulus) really highlight the spiritual power of these events, focusing on Paul’s boldness and the impact of his ministry.¹⁷
The Heart of Their Message: Transformation
Generally, no matter exactly how or when they thought the name change happened, the Church Fathers used it to emphasize how radical Paul’s transformation was and his new mission as an apostle. They saw “Paul” as the name that stood for his new identity in Christ, his humility, and his passion for spreading the Gospel.
While today’s scholars, with more historical and language information, usually say Paul likely had both names from when he was young because of his Roman citizenship and Jewish background 2, the Fathers’ thoughts give us rich spiritual lessons. They were often less worried about the historical details of the two names and more focused on the spiritual meaning and the amazing change in the man. Their insights show us the spiritual transformation that the name “Paul” came to represent in Christian tradition, highlighting his break from the past and his new role as a humble servant and powerful apostle of Jesus Christ. This also shows how our understanding can grow over time, with new studies adding to what earlier generations saw, without taking away the spiritual value they found.
In His Own Letters in the Bible, Did Paul Ever Call Himself Saul?
When we open up the Apostle Paul’s own writings – those powerful letters he wrote to churches and people, which make up so much of our New Testament – we see something very clear about his name. In these letters, he always, always calls himself “Paul.” There’s not one time in the greetings or anywhere in his letters where he calls himself “Saul.” 2
“Paul, an Apostle”
Just look at how he starts his letters. It’s so consistent!
- Romans 1:1 begins, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle…”
- 1 Corinthians 1:1 starts, “Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus…”
- Galatians 1:1 opens with, “Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man by Jesus Christ and God the Father…”
<p> This is the pattern in all his letters that are in the Bible. He always introduces himself and identifies himself as "Paul."</p></li>
A Name for His Mission
Who was he writing to? That’s a big clue! His letters were mostly for churches in Gentile cities (like Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, Thessalonica) or to people like Timothy and Titus who were working hard in ministry to Gentile communities. In those places, “Paul” was the name that made sense, the one people knew, and the one that fit the culture. It was the name connected to his authority as an apostle and his teachings, the name the people knew and respected.
His use of “Paul” is often tied right to his calling as an apostle, a calling he knew was mainly to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8, Romans 11:13). By always using “Paul” when he wrote to these churches, he was reinforcing the identity that went with this special job God gave him. The fact that he doesn’t use “Saul” in these official and pastoral letters shows that “Paul” was, for all practical purposes, his established public and apostolic name.
This steady use of “Paul” in his own letters really drives home the point that the shift to this name as his main identifier wasn’t just a casual thing. It was a definite part of who he was as an apostle as he reached out to the wider Greco-Roman world and shared his deep, God-given wisdom with those growing Christian communities. It shows us the identity under which he fulfilled his mission and through which his amazing teachings were given and saved for us today.
What Can We Learn Today from the Story of Saul Being Called Paul?
The story of Saul becoming known as Paul is filled with so many encouraging lessons for us today, even though it wasn’t a divine renaming like Abraham’s. It’s a story that can build your faith and inspire you to live out your God-given destiny!
God Can Transform Any Life!
It shouts to us about transformation and a brand-new purpose. Even though “Paul” was likely a name he already had, it came to the forefront right when his new life and mission after meeting Jesus really took off. God took Saul, the one who fiercely opposed the and transformed him into Paul, the passionate apostle to the Gentiles! 5 What an amazing turnaround! It’s a powerful reminder that God can change any life, no matter what’s in your past, and redirect it for His wonderful purposes. As one person said, “no matter what rotten things you’ve done, God can still make a positive impact through you.” 7 God showed Paul mercy and gave him a new assignment as an apostle.⁵ That’s the kind of God we serve!
Wisdom to Reach Others
Paul’s willingness to use the name that best connected with his audience teaches us a vital lesson about being adaptable for the sake of the Gospel. His choice to go by “Paul” in Gentile settings shows he was sensitive to their culture and wanted to remove any unnecessary walls that might keep people from hearing the Good News.¹⁴ This idea of contextualization—becoming “all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) without ever watering down the truth—is such an important example for us as we share our faith in this diverse world. We all face questions about how to best share Jesus across different cultures, and Paul’s example gives us great wisdom.¹⁴
God Uses Your Whole Story
This story shows us that God can use every part of your identity and your background for His kingdom. Think about it: God used Paul’s entire life! His deep Jewish education and knowledge of the Scriptures (as Saul) gave him the foundation for his powerful arguments. And his Roman citizenship and the name “Paul” opened doors and helped him connect in the Gentile world. The Lord had set Paul apart “from birth” (Galatians 1:15) and was using every piece of who he was, including his two names, for His amazing plans.¹⁴ This should encourage you to see your own unique experiences, your cultural background, your skills, even your name, not as unimportant as gifts God can use!
The Power of Humility
If we think about “Paul” meaning “small” or “little,” it can remind us of the humility that should shine in our Christian service. Even if the meaning was just a coincidence, it lines up so beautifully with how Paul often spoke of his own unworthiness, calling himself “the least of the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9), and how he always emphasized that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.¹⁴ True strength is found in humility before God.
Embracing Your Unique Calling
The story of Saul being called Paul challenges us to not have rigid ideas about our identity. It encourages us to see how our faith can dynamically interact with our culture and our surroundings. Paul moved between different cultural worlds (Jewish, Greek, Roman) and didn’t see these parts of himself as clashing in a bad way. Instead, he found ways to be truly himself while adapting his approach—and which name he used—to make the biggest impact for the Gospel. This flexibility, rooted in a rock-solid commitment to Christ, is a powerful example for us as Christians living in a world with so many cultures. It tells us that our different backgrounds and affiliations don’t need to be thrown away. Instead, they can be dedicated to God and used by Him to build connections and understanding, not division, as we share the wonderful news of Jesus!
Conclusion: From Saul to Paul – A Legacy of Transformation and Mission
The journey from being known mainly as Saul to being widely recognized as Paul is so much more than just a name change. It’s a story bursting with meaning that helps us understand one of the most influential figures in Christianity. The key thing to remember is that Saul likely had both his Hebrew name, Saul, and his Roman name, Paul, from when he was young because he was born in Tarsus and was a Roman citizen. The shift to using “Paul” more, which we first see in Acts 13:9, wasn’t God giving him a new name like He did for Abraham or Peter. It was a smart and practical choice as he stepped into his special calling as the apostle to the Gentiles.¹ This happened quite a while after his incredible, life-changing experience on the road to Damascus, where he was still called Saul.⁵
The reasons for this shift are all about his mission. “Paul” was a Roman name, easier for the non-Jewish people he wanted to reach to connect with. It fit perfectly with his principle of becoming “all things to all people” so he could share the Gospel with them.⁴ He never turned his back on his Jewish identity he wisely used the name that would help him communicate best and remove cultural roadblocks in different situations.⁸ The early Church Fathers, even if they sometimes saw the change a bit more symbolically or as happening right at his conversion or after a big event like meeting Sergius Paulus, always knew it marked a huge transformation and a new direction in his life.² In his own letters, he always called himself Paul, the name that carried his apostolic authority among the churches.²
The legacy of Saul, who became known as Paul, offers us timeless lessons. It powerfully shows God’s amazing ability to completely transform a life and give it a new, powerful purpose. It models the wisdom of being culturally sensitive and adaptable as we share our faith, encouraging us to build bridges instead of walls. It also confirms that God can use every single part of who you are – your heritage, your citizenship, your education, and even your names – to advance His kingdom. Paul’s story, in all its wonderful detail, continues to inspire Christians everywhere to embrace their own unique callings with courage, humility, and a strategic heart for reaching the world with the message of hope. Believe today that God has a wonderful plan for your life, and He can use everything about you for His glory!
Bibliography:
- en.wikipedia.org, accessed June 11, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle
- Why Was “Saul” Changed to “Paul”? – Logos Bible Software, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.logos.com/grow/hall-saul-to-paul/
- Why Are There So Many Name Changes in the Bible? | Christianity …, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/why-are-there-so-many-name-changes-in-the-bible.html
- Why Did God Change Saul’s Name to Paul? | Catholic Answers Q&A, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-did-god-change-sauls-name-to-paul#:~:text=But%20after%20his%20conversion%20Saul,typical%20of%20Paul’s%20missionary%20style.
- Saul’s Name Didn’t Change at Damascus, His Eschatology Did – Logos Bible Software, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.logos.com/grow/sauls-name-didnt-change-at-damascus-his-eschatology-did/
- The Significance of Name Changes in Scripture – Sermon Outlines, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.sermondownload.net/post/the-significance-of-name-changes-in-scripture
- The Conversion of Saul Sermon – Acts 9:1-20 – Becoming radically open – Bay Shore Church, accessed June 11, 2025, https://bayshorechurch.org/sermons/the-conversion-of-saul-sermon/
- Why Did Saul Become Paul? – Living Theologically, accessed June 11, 2025, https://livingtheologically.com/2017/03/27/why-did-saul-become-paul/
- Tarsus – BiblePlaces.com, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.bibleplaces.com/tarsus/
- The Power of Roman Citizenship in Ancient Times – Bible Pathway Adventures, accessed June 11, 2025, https://shop.biblepathwayadventures.com/blogs/news/the-power-of-roman-citizenship-in-ancient-times
- Why did Saul change his name to Paul? : r/DebateAnAtheist – Reddit, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/DebateAnAtheist/comments/1e74c3j/why_did_saul_change_his_name_to_paul/
- Jewish Names From the Roman Catacombs, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.s-gabriel.org/names/eleazar/jewishroman.pdf
- Why did 1st century Jews take Roman second names with pagan connotations? – Reddit, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1bept0k/why_did_1st_century_jews_take_roman_second_names/
- From Saul to Paul: The Truth Behind the Apostle’s Name Change …, accessed June 11, 2025, https://truthstodiefor.com/from-saul-to-paul-the-truth-behind-the-apostles-name-change/
- What happened on the road to Damascus? What is a road to …, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.gotquestions.org/Damascus-Road.html
- Origin for Saul/Paul Name Change : r/AcademicBiblical – Reddit, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/AcademicBiblical/comments/1fk00vz/origin_for_saulpaul_name_change/
- CHURCH FATHERS: Homily 20 on the Acts of the Apostles (Chrysostom) – New Advent, accessed June 11, 2025, https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210120.htm
- Acts 13 Homilies of Chrysostom – Bible Hub, accessed June 11, 2025, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/chrysostom/acts/13.htm
- From Saul to Paul: The Apostle’s Name Change and Narrative Identity in Acts 13:9 – SciSpace, accessed June 11, 2025, https://scispace.com/pdf/from-saul-to-paul-the-apostle-s-name-change-and-narrative-32rhu9lzky.pdf
