Few figures in Western history have shaped a global religion quite like Paul the Apostle. A Roman Jew from Tarsus who started out persecuting Christians, he ended up writing nearly half the New Testament and spreading the faith across the Mediterranean.

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Born: c. 5 AD, Tarsus (modern-day Turkey) ·
Death: c. 64–67 AD, Rome ·
Feast Day: June 29 (with Saint Peter) ·
Canonization: Pre-congregation ·
Patronage: Writers, journalists, evangelists, tent-makers ·
Scriptural Contributions: 13–14 letters in the New Testament

Quick snapshot

1Early Life
2Conversion
3Missionary Work
  • Three missionary journeys across Mediterranean (Vatican News (official Catholic media))
  • Established churches in Asia Minor and Greece (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))
  • Wrote letters to early Christian communities
4Death and Legacy
  • Imprisoned in Rome (Britannica Kids (educational resource))
  • Martyred c. 64–67 AD (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))
  • Canonized as Saint
  • Patron of many professions

Eight key details, one pattern: Paul’s identity is unusually well-attested for a first-century figure.

Attribute Detail
Full Name Saul of Tarsus; later Paul the Apostle
Born c. 5 AD, Tarsus, Cilicia (modern-day Turkey)
Died c. 64–67 AD, Rome, Italy
Cause of Death Martyrdom by beheading (Vatican News (official Catholic media))
Feast Day June 29 (with Saint Peter)
Major Shrine Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome
Patronage Writers, journalists, evangelists, tent-makers, Roman Catholic Diocese of Rome
Scriptural Writings 13–14 letters in the New Testament (Epistles)

What is Saint Paul known for?

Role as the Apostle to the Gentiles

  • Paul is considered the most important figure after Jesus in Christian history (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference)).
  • He deliberately focused his missionary work on non-Jews, arguing that Gentile converts did not need to follow Jewish law (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference)).
  • This theological shift helped separate Christianity from Judaism as a distinct faith.

The pattern: Paul’s mission strategy directly shaped the religion’s rapid expansion across the Roman Empire.

Authorship of New Testament epistles

  • Paul authored 13–14 letters (the Pauline Epistles), making up nearly half the New Testament (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference)).
  • These include Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, 1–2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews (disputed).
  • His letters are among the earliest Christian writings, predating the Gospels.
The upshot

Paul’s epistles are the primary direct source for first-century Christian theology—and for reconstructing his own biography.

Significance in Christian theology

  • Paul’s teachings on justification by faith (Romans 3:28) became central to Protestant Reformation theology.
  • He framed the concept of grace versus works, a debate that persists across denominations.
  • His influence extends beyond religion; Western ethics and philosophy have repeatedly engaged with his writings.

The implication: Paul’s theological contributions are so foundational that every major Christian movement has had to interpret (or reinterpret) his letters.

Did Paul ever meet Jesus?

The conversion on the road to Damascus

  • Paul did not meet the historical Jesus during Jesus’ ministry (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference)).
  • His conversion occurred around 33–36 AD when he experienced a vision of the risen Christ while traveling to Damascus (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference)).
  • This event is recorded three times in the Book of Acts (chapters 9, 22, and 26).

The catch: Paul never claimed a physical meeting; his authority rested on a visionary encounter.

Paul’s claims of visionary encounter

  • In Galatians 1:11-12, Paul insists his gospel came directly from revelation, not human instruction.
  • He lists his encounter with the resurrected Christ as the basis for his apostleship (1 Corinthians 15:8).
  • Modern scholars accept that Paul believed genuinely in the vision, even if its nature is debated.

Absence of physical meeting during Jesus’ ministry

  • The Gospels record no interaction between Paul (Saul) and Jesus during the latter’s lifetime.
  • Paul was likely in Tarsus during Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and Judea.
  • After conversion, Paul spent three years in Arabia before meeting Peter and James in Jerusalem (Encyclopaedia Britannica summary).

Why this matters: Paul’s claim to be an “apostle” rests on this visionary experience, not on having walked with Jesus—a distinction that shaped early church authority structures.

When was St. Paul put to death?

Circumstances of Paul’s martyrdom

  • Paul was executed in Rome under Emperor Nero (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference)).
  • As a Roman citizen, he was beheaded rather than crucified (Vatican News (official Catholic media)).
  • The traditional site of execution is the Via Ostiense, now marked by the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

Traditional date and location

  • Vatican News gives June 29, 67 AD as the traditional date of the martyrdom of Peter and Paul (Vatican News (official Catholic media)).
  • Most scholars place the event between 64 and 67 AD, with 64–65 being a common range (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference)).
  • Exact details of Paul’s death are unknown, but tradition holds that he was beheaded (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference)).

Historical evidence and scholarly debate

  • The earliest extra-biblical reference to Paul’s execution is from Clement of Rome (c. 96 AD), who mentions martyrdom but not details.
  • No Roman records of Paul’s trial survive, so the exact year is inferred from the Neronian persecution (after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD).
  • The lack of a precise date is a well-known gap in the historical record.

The trade-off: Christians worldwide celebrate June 29 as a feast day, but historians caution that the date is traditional, not documented.

What did Saint Paul suffer from?

The “thorn in the flesh”

  • Paul described a “thorn in the flesh” in 2 Corinthians 12:7 (Bible, 2 Corinthians 12:7).
  • He called it a “messenger of Satan” to torment him, but never identified it specifically.
  • This passage has generated centuries of speculation among readers.

Scholarly theories on Paul’s affliction

  • Proposed identifications include epilepsy, malaria, vision problems, a speech impediment, and migraines.
  • No definitive diagnosis exists in historical records (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference) notes uncertainty).
  • Some scholars suggest it was a metaphor for persistent spiritual opposition.

Effects on his ministry

  • Paul himself said the affliction kept him humble (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
  • It did not prevent him from traveling thousands of miles on foot and ship.
  • His letters occasionally reference physical weakness (Galatians 4:13-14), possibly related to this condition.
The paradox

The medieval and modern fascination with Paul’s “thorn” may tell us more about our own need for a medical explanation than about what he actually endured.

What this means: We cannot identify Paul’s ailment with certainty, and it may not have been a single, consistent condition.

What were Paul’s final words?

Last recorded statements in 2 Timothy

  • Paul’s final written words are in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (Bible, 2 Timothy 4:6-8).
  • He writes: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
  • This letter is traditionally believed to have been written from a Roman prison shortly before his execution.

Context of his final imprisonment

  • Paul was held in Rome for two years under house arrest (Acts 28:30), then later rearrested and sentenced to death.
  • During the second imprisonment, conditions were harsher (2 Timothy 1:16-18).
  • Unlike his first Roman captivity, he expected death.

Legacy of his farewell message

  • The phrase “I have fought the good fight” has become a classic Christian expression of faithful endurance.
  • Its placement at the close of the Pauline corpus gives it a canonical sense of finality.
  • Whether Paul uttered those exact words before his beheading is unknown; they are his last literary words.

The pattern: Paul’s final writing project his legacy not as a founder of institutions but as a faithful witness.

What is St Paul’s background and education?

Family background and Jewish heritage

  • Paul was born as Saul in Tarsus, a Roman city in Cilicia (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference)).
  • His family were Pharisees, a Jewish sect known for strict observance of the Law (Acts 23:6).
  • He later described himself as “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin” (Philippians 3:5).

Education under Gamaliel

  • Paul claimed to have studied under Rabbi Gamaliel, a highly respected teacher in Jerusalem (Britannica Kids (educational resource)).
  • This education gave him expertise in Jewish law and scriptural interpretation.
  • It also explains his ability to debate scripture with both Jews and Gentiles.

Roman citizenship

  • Paul had Roman citizenship from birth (Britannica Kids (educational resource)).
  • This status granted him legal protections and the right to appeal to Caesar (Acts 22:25-29).
  • It also allowed him to travel freely through Roman provinces and avoid crucifixion.
What to watch

Roman citizenship and Pharisaic training gave Paul a dual identity that few other apostles possessed—he could move between Jewish, Greek, and Roman worlds with uncommon authority.

The implication: Paul’s background was exceptionally suited for building a movement that crossed ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Why was St. Paul called Pig’s Eye?

  • The nickname “Pig’s Eye” refers to a fur trader named Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant, not to the apostle (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference) notes this is a misconception).
  • The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, was originally called Pig’s Eye because of Parrant’s tavern, before being renamed after the apostle.
  • This is a common historical misconception unrelated to the biblical Paul.

The catch: The confusion arises from the shared name “St. Paul” in the city name—the apostle himself has no connection to livestock.

Timeline signal

  • c. 5 AD: Born as Saul in Tarsus, a Roman city in Cilicia (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))
  • c. 33–36 AD: Conversion on the road to Damascus; vision of the risen Christ (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))
  • c. 47–49 AD: First missionary journey with Barnabas, to Cyprus and Asia Minor (Vatican News (official Catholic media))
  • c. 49–52 AD: Second missionary journey; establishment of church in Philippi (Vatican News (official Catholic media))
  • c. 53–57 AD: Third missionary journey; writing of major epistles (Romans, 1–2 Corinthians) (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))
  • c. 57–59 AD: Arrest in Jerusalem; imprisonment in Caesarea (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))
  • c. 60–62 AD: Voyage to Rome; house arrest while writing Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians
  • c. 64–67 AD: Martyrdom in Rome under Emperor Nero (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))

Confirmed facts

  • Paul was a historical figure (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))
  • He was born in Tarsus (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))
  • He wrote multiple New Testament epistles
  • He was martyred in Rome under Nero (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference))

What’s unclear

  • Exact year of birth and death (Kurt Willems (independent scholar) notes chronological uncertainty)
  • Precise date of his conversion (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference) gives a range)
  • Whether Paul personally met Jesus’ earthly apostles beyond what Acts records
  • The precise nature of his “thorn in the flesh” (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative reference) notes uncertainty)
  • Full extent of his missionary journeys in Arabia (Galatians 1:17)

Quotes from Paul himself

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

— Paul, 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (the New Testament)

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

— Jesus, as recorded by Paul in Acts 9:4-5 (the New Testament)

“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”

— Paul, Romans 1:14-16 (the New Testament)

These three passages—spanning Paul’s final reflection, his conversion moment, and his mission statement—encapsulate his life in a few dozen words.

Additional sources

scribd.com, europe.factsanddetails.com, youtube.com, britannica.com, e360bible.org, kids.britannica.com, facebook.com

For a deeper look at Pauls letters and missionary journeys, this comprehensive profile offers additional insights into his writings and travels.

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Frequently asked questions

Did Paul write all of his letters alone?

No. He often used scribes (Romans 16:22 mentions Tertius) and sometimes co-authors like Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Seven letters are universally accepted as authentic; the authorship of Hebrews, Ephesians, Colossians, and the Pastorals is debated among scholars.

What languages did Paul speak?

Paul likely spoke Greek (the lingua franca of the eastern Roman Empire), Hebrew/Aramaic (for Jewish audiences), and possibly some Latin as a Roman citizen. His letters are written in Hellenistic Greek.

How many missionary journeys did Paul take?

Traditionally three major journeys are counted, plus a final trip to Rome as a prisoner. Some scholars add a possible fourth journey after his release from house arrest, but evidence is thin (Vatican News (official Catholic media) describes three).

What is Paul’s connection to the Apostle Peter?

Paul met Peter three years after his conversion (Galatians 1:18) and later clashed with him at Antioch over table fellowship with Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-14). Despite disagreements, they were both martyred in Rome; their feast day is shared on June 29.

Why did Paul change his name from Saul?

The name change from his Jewish name Saul to the Roman name Paul is not explained in the Bible. He continued to use both; in Acts, the shift occurs after his first missionary journey (Acts 13:9). It may reflect his mission to Gentiles.

What is Paul’s role in the Council of Jerusalem?

Paul and Barnabas attended the council in Jerusalem around 49 AD to debate whether Gentile converts needed to follow the Law of Moses. The council ruled that Gentiles did not need circumcision (Acts 15), a decision Paul later championed.

Did Paul visit Spain before his death?

Paul expressed a desire to go to Spain (Romans 15:24-28), but no ancient source confirms he ever made the trip. Some scholars speculate he may have gone after his first Roman imprisonment, but it remains unverified.

What is the “thorn in the flesh” that Paul mentioned?

It is an unidentified affliction Paul described in 2 Corinthians 12:7. Scholarly guesses range from epilepsy to migraines to spiritual opposition, but no consensus exists. Paul himself said it taught him humility.

For anyone exploring the origins of Christianity, Paul the Apostle remains an unavoidable figure. His letters give us the earliest window into the beliefs and struggles of the first Christian communities. What we know with confidence—his Tarsus origin, his Damascus road experience, his three missionary journeys, and his execution in Rome—rests on a mix of biblical testimony and early church tradition, with just enough gaps to keep historians debating. For the student of history, the trade is clear: accept the broad contours, acknowledge the uncertainties, and recognize that a first-century tent-maker from Tarsus changed the world more than most emperors did.