Born as Shaul (Saul) in Tarsus, a city in the southeast of Asia Minor, around the year 10 AD. Paul was a younger contemporary of Jesus. He was born into a Jewish family living in the diaspora, surrounded by both Jewish and Greek influences. This mixed cultural heritage and his status as a Roman citizen gave Saul an ideal background to become the bearer of God’s message to the wider world.

Saul's Early Life and Formation

Young Saul likely received a solid classical education, immersing himself in the works of Greek thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Homer. However, the most significant influence on his intellectual and spiritual life was the Hebrew Scriptures. Saul's study of Scripture began in childhood and deepened when, as a teenager, he went to Jerusalem to study under Gamaliel, one of the leading rabbis of his time. 

Under Gamaliel's guidance, Saul delved into the Scriptures and took part in the Temple liturgies. While Gamaliel was known for his relatively open-minded approach to Judaism, Saul moved in a different direction, becoming what he later described as "zealous for the traditions of my ancestors." This intense zeal became a driving force in Saul's life, pushing him towards a fierce commitment to his understanding of Jewish faith and tradition, which would later make his transformation even more remarkable.

As he entered his twenties, Saul became increasingly troubled by the burgeoning Christian movement. To Saul, the claim that Jesus—a crucified carpenter—was the Messiah contradicted all Jewish expectations. Convinced that these followers of Jesus were renegade Jews spreading dangerous falsehoods, Saul dedicated himself to eradicating the Christian community. The Acts of the Apostles describes him as "breathing murderous threats" against the followers of Jesus, entering their homes to drag them away to prison. Saul's zeal was on full display at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, where he looked on approvingly.

With permission from his superiors, Saul set out for Damascus to bring more Christians back in chains. On the way, however, something extraordinary happened that changed not only Saul but the course of history. He experienced a blinding light and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" When he asked, "Who are you, Lord?", the answer came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what to do."

Transformation and Mission

Saul's encounter with the risen Jesus shook him to the core, leaving him blinded and profoundly disoriented. The experience was not only physically overwhelming but also deeply emotional, as it shattered his former convictions and forced him to confront the reality of Jesus' resurrection. This encounter marked the beginning of a dramatic transformation that would redefine Saul's entire understanding of faith, purpose, and his place in God's plan. 

He was led to Damascus, where he was baptised by Ananias, and then retreated to Arabia, returning to Damascus afterwards. For three years, Saul reflected deeply on what had happened. He had been certain of his understanding of the Law and of Israel's story—he was confident in his mission to persecute the Church—but this encounter with Jesus required him to re-evaluate everything. We often call this moment Paul's "conversion," but it wasn't simply a switch from one religion to another; it was a profound reconfiguration of everything he knew about God, Israel, and the Messiah.

After those three years of reflection, Saul was ready to share what he had come to understand. He took on a new identity, changing his name from Saul to Paul, and embraced his mission: to proclaim that Jesus, through his resurrection, was the fulfilment of all of God’s promises to Israel and the light to all nations. Paul felt personally commissioned by Christ to share this message with both Jews and Gentiles.

Paul's Missionary Journeys

Paul's first missionary journey began from Antioch in Syria. He sailed to Cyprus, preaching across the island, before continuing to Asia Minor, where he established churches in places like Perga, Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium. One of the most significant moments came when Paul was in Troas, on the northwest coast of Asia Minor. 

This vision was crucial because it marked the beginning of the spread of Christianity into Europe, expanding the mission beyond Asia and bringing the faith to a new cultural heartland. Here, Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia asking for help. This prompted Paul to cross into Europe—a journey that would ultimately spread Christianity into the heart of Western civilisation.

In Philippi, Paul's preaching led to the establishment of a Christian community, but also landed him in prison. While imprisoned, Paul and his companion Silas sang hymns until an earthquake broke open the prison doors. The jailer, terrified that the prisoners had escaped, was ready to end his life, but Paul called out to stop him. In that moment, the jailer asked, "What must I do to be saved?" and Paul replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Paul would later write to the Philippians, summarising his teaching: "Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave... God highly exalted him and gave him the name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." This message was designed to turn the world upside down—proclaiming Jesus as the true King and offering a radically new way of life.

Paul the Writer and Theologian

Paul didn't stay to govern the churches he founded; his primary role was to evangelise, to spread the Good News. He established local leadership in each community and moved on, but continued to support these early Christians through his letters. Many of Paul's letters were responses to practical questions and issues within these communities. His letter to the Romans stands out as his most comprehensive theological work—more like a treatise than a simple letter.
These letters were typically dictated to a secretary and sent to be read aloud in household churches. Despite their humble beginnings as scrolls carried by hand across the Roman Empire, Paul's letters have become foundational texts of Christian theology, shaping our understanding of Christ, salvation, and the life of faith.

Paul's Message of Love

Paul's message wasn't only about faith; it was also about love. This love continues to influence the Church today, serving as a guiding principle for how we interact with one another and live out our faith in a communal context. In his famous "hymn to love" in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes, "If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal... If I have faith enough to move mountains but have not love, I am nothing." For Paul, love is the essence of the Christian life—patient, kind, enduring, and never failing. It is this love that connects us to Christ and to each other, forming the foundation of the Church.

Peter and Paul: The Foundations of the Church

Paul and Peter together represent the heart of the early Church. While Peter embodies structure, authority, and stability, Paul represents mission, proclamation, and cultural engagement. Both are essential to the life of the Church, just as structure and mission are essential in our own faith lives. Through their shared witness, they have propelled the message of Jesus through the centuries, bringing hope and transformation to countless people.
The story of Paul's journey, from a zealous persecutor of Christians to a tireless apostle of Christ, challenges us to consider our own openness to transformation. It shows us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, and that each of us, in our own way, is called to share the Good News with others. Paul's life is a testimony to the power of Christ to turn the world upside down, beginning with our own hearts.

Reflection Questions

1. Read Acts 9:1-19. How does Saul's encounter with Jesus challenge you to be open to transformation in your own life? (Reference: CCC 1431 - The call to conversion)
2. Why was Paul's vision in Troas (Acts 16:9-10) important for the spread of Christianity? Reflect on how God might be calling you to share your faith today. (Reference: CCC 849 - The missionary mandate)
3. In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul speaks of rejoicing even in suffering. How can this help you face your own struggles with faith? (Reference: CCC 2725 - The battle of prayer)
4. Reflect on Paul's "hymn to love" in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. How can you live out this kind of love in your community? (Reference: CCC 1825 - Charity)
5. Read Galatians 2:7-9. How do Peter and Paul’s roles complement each other in the Church? What role might you be called to play? (Reference: CCC 551 - The beginning of the Church's leadership)