Paul at the end was single-minded, whether in serving God or loving his neighbor. First, there is the matter of the historical context. Few would question the lasting value of St. Pauls contribution to the content of our faith. This is a common and ancient assessment of Paul from specialists of every (or no) persuasion who have extensively studied his writings. A suggestion thus was made that the two missionaries, in the company of several other brothers, should proceed to Jerusalem and inquire there of the apostles and elders about this matter (v. 2). They refused to yield to the heretical cliqueeven for a moment (v. 5, ESV; cf. In that context, Paul did not hesitate to purify himself in the temple in order to ameliorate the Jerusalem Jews and create a friendlier environment for the spread of the gospel in the holy city. Ruth It may be that he had sent forth an appeal to brethren for character witnesses, but, for fear of their lives, many had turned away from him (cf. to me, that just screams 3 bc hermione is way more focused on achievements, "we could have been killed, or . Paul went blind, quite a trial! Such a view would disregard other passages of emphatic import (Luke 17:3; Acts 8:22; 1 John 5:16). Omissions? This was not the last time that this gracious servant of Christ would yield in a matter of expediency for the sake of his kinsmen in the Lord (cf. Their marked differences in personality and in methods of thought make a comparison of the types which they represent at once a difficult and a fascinating task. More specifically, Paul states that he saw the Lord (1 Corinthians 9:1), though Acts claims that near Damascus he saw a blinding bright light. Sign up for our newsletter to receive your free 36 lesson Bible study E-book of Revelation. The Enneagrama personality assessment toolhas gotten a lot of press lately. Such was Paul. vet. Special traits: (1) Poor eyesight? But as he prayed in the temple, the Lord appeared to him and told of the immediate plan to send his apostle far hence unto the Gentiles (22:21). He asks that Onesimus might be received, just as Paul would be, should he make the journey (v. 17). Mordecai and Haman Whole-hearted- Paul was an all-or-nothing kind of guy. Greek influence can also be perceived in early Christian reflections on the physical appearance of Paul. He led by example and by service. St. Paul the Apostle, original name Saul of Tarsus, (born 4 bce ?, Tarsus in Cilicia [now in Turkey]died c. 62-64 ce, Rome [Italy]), one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians, often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity. De physiog. Peter's name is mentioned far more in the New Testament than. Perhaps God has a steady home, job, and marriage planned for us, but if He doesnt, we should still follow Him wholeheartedly. But Paul, and those who supported his leadership, would not stand for this defection from the truth. It is scarcely necessary to argue the case for Pauls courage, and this quality cannot be passed over in silence. Great work about Paul character study blessings keep it up Revd.Simon Bashir Quetta Balochistan Pakistan. myers briggs bible characters FINAL.jpg. The militant apostle was scarcely dry from his immersion when be began his preaching to the Jews of Damascus (Acts 9:20), with no apparent success entered into the record. Over their history, the Pharisees had many martyrs, as they single-mindedly defended the tradition of Yahweh against threats from without and within Israel. A portion of that defense is found in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. ?? Galatians 1:17). The others come from followers writing in his name, who often used material from his surviving letters and who may have had access to letters written by Paul that no longer survive. Paul was a chosen vessel, a willing vessel, who tried tirelessly to give to others, to anyone, what God had given him and who ultimately, like every human being, longed to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection, to be conformed to his death if somehow I may attain to unending life (Phil 3:10). 3:4-6) He admitted: "I am the least of the apostles, and I am not worthy of being called an apostle." (1 Cor. Humanistika Vetenskaps-Samfundet i Uppsala. He was a skillful writer, debater, and public speaker. Did Christ Undermine His Own Credibility? Conybeare, F. C., The Apology and Acts of Apollonius and Other Monuments of Early Christianity (New York: Macmillan, 1894) 62.Google Scholar, 36 Cf. 381/61. Please do not feel obliged to give. It disturbed him seriously when people gave glory to him instead of God. His epistles (letters) have had enormous influence on Christian theology, especially on the relationship between God the Father and Jesus, and on the mystical human relationship with the divine. And Paul was conscientious to see that this responsibility be fulfilled. He called himself the least of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9). Tweet. All rights reserved. It is doubtful that his family was wealthy or aristocratic, but, since he found it noteworthy that he sometimes worked with his own hands, it may be assumed that he was not a common labourer. ISTJ. To settle the issue, Paul returned to Jerusalem and struck a deal. F.F. Pauls letters occasionally communicated decisions that do not touch the essence of Pauls witness to the saving death and resurrection of Jesus. 7. There is no stiff upper lip for them; you have to make room for this often intense expression of this personality type if you deal at length with a person like Paul. Thus, about half of the New Testament stems from Paul and the people whom he influenced. Tradition says he was beheaded. It is important to remember that when we meet these church communities in his letters, they are only between five and 10 years old. 9. Actually, the letters in many instances were only a stop-gap; Paul implicitly hoped to meet his communities again, at which time he would try to handle problems with greater polish and study, and with a charitable, frank exchange of opinions. This unpleasant situation does have a couple of happy footnotes. Dissimulation derives from the Greek, hupokrisisthe basis of the English, hypocrisy (cf. He even commanded the Corinthians to follow his example of following after God (1 Co 11:1). There, Onesiphorus sees Paul 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 appeared like a man, and now he had the face of an angel., 1 The material is conveniently gathered by von Dobschtz, E., Der Apostel Paulus: II. While Onesimus had received pardon from the Lord, he still had a moral obligation to his master, Philemon. The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians, the Letter of Paul to the Colossians, the Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, both Letters of Paul to Timothy, the Letter of Paul to Titus, and the Letter to the Hebrews are of uncertain authorship. Here again the Jews sought to kill him (Acts 9:29). Many of his ministry methods are still followed today. 14:12-20) Paul never tried to get credit or glory for himself. We suggest taking the free version of the Myers Briggs (MBTI Personality Type) test here. (Acts 26:4, 5; Phil. The seven undoubted letters constitute the best source of information on Pauls life and especially his thought; in the order in which they appear in the New Testament, they are Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Paul was compelled to struggle, therefore, to establish his own worth and authority. Their personality is gentle and calming. 2 Acta Pauli et Theclae 3 (AAA; reprinted Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 1959) 1.Google Scholar 237 lines 69. Jesus miraculously intervened in his life to save him and transform him completely. As such, it afforded the young Paul access to some of the profound philosophies of his time, attendant with methods and argumentation practiced in the philosophical schools and circles. When left to himself to decide matters, especially from a long distance, Paul often fell back on his Jewish, Pharisaic training. Daniel What a spiritually rewarding experience it would be to have a complete album of character snapshots of Paul, the apostle who has forever left his image upon the world. Spirit-filled. Biblically speaking, I think the apostle Paul was an example of a powerful orator (Acts 17:22-31). She would be happy about having a ferry named after her, said Robert Steed, a former Catholic Worker and editor of The Catholic Worker newspaper, adding, maybe even more so than being canonized., A Reflection for Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, by Jill Rice. He founded churches in Galatia as well as the towns of Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus and Colossae. If youre already a subscriber or donor, thank you! Tarsus was loosely akin to a university town. Worse, it can stand in the way of appreciation of what the Spirit says through him. 1. Training and occupation: Paul was a Pharisee (Php 3:5-6). To understand these letters well, one must understand the circumstances that led Paul to compose them, for this will help to appreciate their tone. Philemon 18). Many of Pauls decisions were framed so as to bring to an immediate halt whatever was eroding the communities; the tone of his letters seems to have been secondary to him. This person genuinely cares and has a sincerity that cannot be denied. It is worth noting that Paul was also a mentor and guide to Titus and Timothy; to them, too, he sent three letters. Pharisees never made up a large percentage of Israelites. Peacocks Mrs. Paul the Apostle John D. Rockefeller Famous 1w2s: Emma Watson Anne Hathaway Diana Ross Greta Thunberg . Everyone they meet feels loved. Although frequently useful, the information in Acts is secondhand, and it is sometimes in direct conflict with the letters. The major testimonies are Galen in Hippocr. They feel much more emotion though than appears on the surface. For some he was Paul the tentmaker. Second, it is clear that when this valiant brother was brought before the authorities in the initial segment of his trial procedure, no oneavailable and in a position to do sowas willing to stand with him. Paul was a "stick-tight" who could not be budged from his resolute course. Principles of Interpretation: The Expansion Concept. Annales Societatis Litterarum Humaniorum Regiae Upsaliensis, The Apology and Acts of Apollonius and Other Monuments of Early Christianity. See Tarditi, Giovanni, Archiloco (Rome: Ateneo, 1968) 116.Google Scholar, 21 See Malherbe, A. J., Antisthenes and Odysseus, and Paul at War, HTR 76 (1983) 14373.Google Scholar. Later Christian tradition favours the view that he was executed there (1 Clement 5:17), perhaps as part of the executions of Christians ordered by the Roman emperor Nero following the great fire in the city in 64 ce. 12 Ramsay, Church in the Roman Empire, 381ff. And I do all things for the gospels sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof. But this is not true. Paul and John represent the two most distinctive types of apostolic doctrine. He spoke of himself as the mother, the father, the brother of these communities. However, only seven of these are accepted as being entirely authentic: Letter of Paul to the Romans, both Letters of Paul to the Corinthians, Letter of Paul to the Galatians, Letter of Paul to the Philippians, First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, and Letter of Paul to Philemon. Accordingly, the apostle prepared a short letter to Philemon (to be delivered by Onesimus). Conversion (Acts 9) Paul was a zealous persecutor of Christianity. When Paul, Barnabas, and Titus went to Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1), some misguided members of the congregation there secretly brought in false brothers. These propagators of error attempted to bind the law of Moses as an appendix to the gospel. Until about the midpoint of his life, Paul was a member of the Pharisees, a religious party that emerged during the later Second Temple period. Philippians 1:15ff). Paul faced the same things we face. He says that God sent a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble (2 Co 12:7). The Jews opposed him every step of the way, often stirring up riots, throwing him in prison, getting help from the local authorities in persecuting Paul and his companions, and forcing them from town to town. Humanistika Vetenskaps-Samfundet i Uppsala. Contentment (Acts 16:19-31, Philippians 4:11-13, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28) Paul faced more persecutions and difficulties than any other believer in history that I can think of. 4. . if you are trying to comment, you must log in or set up a new account. Occasionally Paul corrected authorities when he thought it necessary. Had a blessed time studying the character Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles par excellence, so much so that the church became predominantly Gentile by the end of the first century (Ferguson 2005, 37). Among the New Testament writings are eight letters written to communities Paul founded (he did not found the church at Rome). Amidst the mystery of this passage, a few facts seem plain. Somehow, likely under the Hand of Providence (v. 15), the servant had come into contact with the noble apostle to the Gentiles, and Paul converted him (v. 10). 1. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. The phrase tent-making comes from Pauls ministry. Further, Pauls letters (except possibly Romans) were written to deal with particular historical situations. 13 E.g., Harnack, A., Geschichte der altchristlichen Literatur bis Eusebius (Leipzig: Hinrichs, 1897) 2.1, 505Google Scholar; Findlay, A. F., Byways in Early Christian Literature: Studies in the Uncanonical Gospels and Acts (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1923) 335Google Scholar n. 226; NTApoc, 2. Sarah The emperor Nero was rumored to have set the blaze to cover his own ineptness as an administrator. The authorship of the others is debated and may have come from followers writing in Pauls name. Once he started following Jesus, he gave up his murderous ways. The apostle Paul takes the Christian understanding of the moral life to an entirely new level, in part because he was engaged with and shaped by his society, his culture. A self-proclaimed lover of the Law and a Pharisee, enforcer of the "right way," even to the point of murder. They might well have taken a more direct route, thus avoiding the dangerous cities visited earlier. 1245.Google Scholar. There was much dissension and questioning about this issue, and the peace of the church was in jeopardy. And how can students most benefit from the extensive studies on Paul available today? He witnessed and supported Stephens stoning. We want to help you study the Bible, obey the Bible, and teach the Bible to others. 461/63. My best advice for anyone struggling with prayer: Make a morning offering. The apostle Paul. When and where he lived: Paul lived during the time of the early church. Paul was a Greek-speaking Jew from Asia Minor. Martha Jonathan (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Elisha Watchman Nee describes the soul as the mind, will and emotions. This doctrine, so adverse to the message that Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed in their previous preaching, required a response. After this meeting he began his famous missions to the west, preaching first in his native Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:1724). Paul was stoned, dragged outside the city, and left for dead. This is where your personality lives and operates from. If only we can get a good job, if only we can finish school, if only we can get a good marriage or home, then we can be happy. He traced the steps of the noble missionary throughout the ancient Mediterranean world, and todays New Testament student is indebted to his research in numerous particulars. Wondering why we ask for your email, or having trouble registering. Paul of Tarsus was an undeniably forceful presence in the early Christian church, instructing fledgling congregations of believers throughout the Mediterranean in person and by letter and authoring about half of the New Testament in the process. It appears the apostle had been brought to trial initially, but was cleared of a preliminary charge. The messiah was to build the Third Temple (Ezek. Feature Flags: { He did it even in prison in the middle of the night! Pharisees were very careful students of the Hebrew Bible, and Paul was able to quote extensively from the Greek translation. 33233. 35 Cf. He gathered disciples, worked with them, trained them, and sent them out. For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. People are interested in it; they're taking online tests, listening to podcasts and buying books (For example, The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, released at the end of 2016 and sold over 100,000 copies in just a little over a year). First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:2-15:35), Pauls First Missionary Journey Created By Study and Obey With Accordance Bible Software, Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22), Pauls Second Missionary Journey Created By Study and Obey With Accordance Bible Software, Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:14), Pauls Third Missionary Journey Created By Study and Obey With Accordance Bible Software. Jacob 1 Corinthians 4:1ff), the apostle was forced to defend himself against malicious charges hurled against him. Samson 811a3638; Anon. Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews. At the end of the test, you will be given 4 letters which best . But he could still write, God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesusyou, my brothers and sisters whom I love and long for (Phil 1:8). Pauls education was lengthy and profound, a measure for his genius; it was also exceptionally broad. Patient The thought of Paul's patience may not readily enter one's mind due to his more dominant qualities that easily engage one's attention. Paul kept a clear focus in his life on what was really important. 29 E.g., Pindar Isthm 3.53; cf. Taught everyoneboth Jews and Gentiles (21). Fear can cause one to panic under extreme conditions, which might not be the case under less stressful circumstances. Logging in will also give you access to commenting features on our website. He calls himself "of the people of Israel.". Biblical Figures. Awesome info shared in one place -Thank You! I have discussed this text in my book, Before I DiePauls Letters to Timothy and Titus, and for convenience sake, reproduce that material here. It does appear that in this situation, the apostle at least sees the possibility that God will extend mercy on account of the human element (see Psalm 103:13-14). He was a missionary to the Gentiles, yet deeply loved his brethren. 2. He thus became a slave of Jesus Christ! Paul's fictional Christ had done none of this! According to the introduction to personality types written by Isabel Briggs Myers, the attributes of the ENTJ include: Frankness, decisiveness, assuming leadership readily Quickly seeing illogical and inefficient procedures and policies Developing and implementing comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems He says he is "of the tribe of Benjamin.". 5. 805a; cf. St. Paul was a founder of churches. He learned and then taught; undeterred by persecution, he defended and offered Christ to anyone who would listen. His birthplace, Tarsus, was a major city in eastern Cilicia, a region that had been made part of the Roman province of Syria by the time of Pauls adulthood. for this article. He gently reminded his friend that he was indebted to him as well (v. 19). Apparently they worked in Derbe for some time, for many disciples were won for the Lord. [1] Paul sets out his emphasis on the character of those who follow Christ by listing virtues and vices. It is hard to imagine a Pharisee to be other than stubborn, ready to make great sacrifices, able to go it alone if necessary. He traveled extensively, spreading the gospel and establishing churches. Leader/strategizer Paul was a great leader. He also was disrespectful of the high priest (Acts 23:3). His looming fate seems fairly certain in his mind (2 Timothy 4:6). (3) Roman citizen. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The following day he and Barnabas left the city, proceeding toward Derbe some sixty miles to the southeast. He is prac-ticed in analysis and argument. By his own account, Paul was the best Jew and the best Pharisee of his generation (Philippians 3:46; Galatians 1:1314), though he claimed to be the least apostle of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:223; 1 Corinthians 15:910) and attributed his successes to the grace of God. But what defense? 9:30). While we rightly speak of him as apostle to the Gentiles (though his letters readily show him an apostle to the Jews, too), Paul founded a number of Christian communities. In addition to his extensive theological contributions, St. Paul played a crucial role in the development of Christianity away from its Jewish parent. He received from Jesus the . The short list I have chosen to survey is by no means exhaustivemerely illustrative. Timothy. During the course of his missions, Paul realized that his preaching to Gentiles was creating difficulties for the Christians in Jerusalem, who thought that Gentiles must become Jewish in order to join the Christian movement. Therefore he was highly educated in that time period. This is where all that thinking happens. 37:26-28), gather all Jews back to the Land of Israel (Isa. When the militant persecutor of Christ was brought to the Lord by means of the gospel (see the accounts of his conversion in Acts 9, 22, and 26), he was informed that he would be an instrument of mercy to all men, especially to the Gentiles (9:15; 22:15; 26:17). Seine Stellung in der Kunst (Halle: Buchhandlung des Waisenhauses, 1928)Google Scholar; Ricciotti, Giuseppe, Paul the Apostle (trans. But who was this powerful personality? 1w2. When coping with a stubborn, anti-Paul faction within the church at Corinth (cf. There, Onesiphorus sees Paul 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 appeared like a man, and now he had the face of an angel." Type Research Article Information Harvard Theological Review, Volume 79, Paul was a small man, not handsome and not a great orator. Devoted to teaching God's Word regardless of the venue (20). Reflect upon this remarkable man with us in this brief study. It is unrealistic to imagine that Paul was never afraid. I myself am an apostle of Christ, and not a whit behind any of the others [cf. What little is known about Paul the Pharisee reflects the character of the Pharisaic movement. You can also manage your account details and your print subscription after logging in. On the one hand, Paul sat in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel, the greatest Jewish teacher of the first-century A.D. From this man Paul would have learned the most abstruse meanings of Jewish tradition and the varied and complicated methods of Jewish interpretation of their Scriptures. Once you enter the page, press "Click Here To Start.". He would have become very adept at arguing over the significance of scriptural texts. Paul also faced many false teachers who spoke out against his teachings and criticized him behind his back. We can't do it without youAmerica Media relies on generous support from our readers. The only thing that should offend them is Christ in us, and Christ preached through us. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. He was highly educated and could have done many other things, but he gave his life to Christ. 2023 Fortify Your Faith Foundation. His surviving letters, however, have had enormous influence on subsequent Christianity and secure his place as one of the greatest religious leaders of all time. James Stalker, a close student of Paul, would write that the apostle was one of the most influential teachers of mankind, multitudes in every century adopting from him their way of conceiving all the greatest objects of human concern (Hastings 1926, 155). It was unjust. If we do have these things, will we realize they are from God and will we still set our heart on Him rather than earthly things? From this it may be inferred that he was born about the same time as Jesus (c. 4 bce) or a little later. (The verb is in the optative mood; it does involve a wish, a request.) He tells his readers that he is "a Hebrew of Hebrews.". Support, Thank you so much sir/madam. He then returned to Damascus, and three years later he went to Jerusalem to become acquainted with the leading apostles there. 14 NT Apoc, 2.34849; Schneemelcher, W., Die Apostelgeschichte des Lukas und die Acta Pauli, in Eltester, W. and Kettler, F. H., eds., Apophoreta: Festschrift fr Ernst Haenchen (BZNW 30; Berlin: Tpelmann, 1964) 23650.Google Scholar. 24 Cf. They sought to deprive the Jerusalem Christians of their legitimate liberty in Christ and bring them into the bondage of the Mosaic regime. Paul had a unique sense of Christian apostleship. On another occasion, when Paul was in Antioch (of Syria), Peter arrived on the scene. Paul may be compared to an "alabaster box of precious ointment" the box is valuable, but the ointment is more precious. Eventually, he was martyred. Now here is a question of interest. St. Paul had an education far beyond the normal. We ask our visitors to confirm their email to keep your account secure and make sure you're able to receive email from us. This was a common method within classical Greek philosophical schools. On the other hand, it seems that Paul did consider the neglect on the part of some as one of human weakness, rather than overt rebellion. How he died:In his last epistle, 2nd Timothy, Paul was a prisoner in Rome approaching execution. But that was not to be the end of the matter. He visited approximately fifty cities in his evangelistic endeavors (McRay 2003, 11). All Things Work Together for Good: Controversy or Comfort? There he was arrested for taking a Gentile too far into the Temple precincts, and, after a series of trials, he was sent to Rome. Perhaps this was a time of meditation, preparation, and communication with his Saviormaybe even a course in Patience 101! What courage this required on the part of the battered apostle. We need to rejoice in trials and, instead of seeking to get rid of them, try to see what God wants us to learn through them. Peter, a Jewish fisherman, was called to be a disciple of Jesus at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. When you register, youll get unlimited access to our website and a free subscription to our email newsletter for daily updates with a smart, Catholic take on faith and culture from, Were sorry registration isn't working smoothly for you. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things, and keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me (Phil 4:8-9). Paul was an adult convert. God can and does do the same today. 5w4. He persecuted believers with a vengeance. The chief purpose in life is glorifying God and Paul lived that out. De artic. Paul describes his own life in Philippians 3:5-6, where he lists seven things ascribed to him or achieved by him: He states that he was "circumcised on the eighth day.". To suggest that Paul was the epitome of humility is not to affirm that he was a pushover and a compromiser of truth. He knew how to give a good defense to others. The entry of the divine into Pauls life was most extraordinary. Meaning of name: Saul = asked. Paul = little. Spirit-Led, not led his own thoughts and plans (22). Biblical Figures. There was no petition for mercy on behalf of such a one. He did not, however, abandon his passion for a just world. Paul was a big personality and quickly became a vital force in the early church. 59 (1969) 5158Google Scholar; Cox, Patricia, Biography in Late Antiquity: A Quest for the Holy Man (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983) 1415Google Scholar; Reitzenstein, R., Hellenistische Wndererzhlungen (reprinted Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 1963) 39Google Scholar; Bieler, L., ANHP (reprinted Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 1967) 1. Perhaps we still will not like him much, but, once understood, his contribution to faith will be appreciated more than ever. ENTJ. Though we say that he is promoting a doctrine, not himself, he can still leave unfriendly impressions upon his readers, appearing pompous, cantankerous, superior, harsh and even a misunderstanding son of the presumptions of his culture. But its really about God. 43 p. 112, 1315 Nachmannson); Schol. Less well known to most students of early Christianity than the literary evidence are the artistic representations of Paul, but the curious literary portrait of Paul in the Acts of Paul and Thecla, which in some respects agrees with early Christian paintings, is well known. Bruce stated that he had spent more time studying the works of Paul than any other writer of antiquity. Boaz St. Paul is often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity. 10 June 2011, When Paul is placed in his Greek context, it is generally his thought, vocabulary, and literary style that receive attention. Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 13 are attributed to Paul, and approximately half of another, Acts of the Apostles, deals with Pauls life and works.