Why was Paul called Saul?
BREAKDOWN
The individual known as Paul was originally named Saul. This duality of names reflects a common practice in the Hellenistic world, particularly for Jews who also held Roman citizenship. 'Saul' (שָׁאוּל, Sha'ul) was his Hebrew name, linking him to his Jewish heritage and specifically to the first king of Israel, King Saul, who was also from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5). This name underscored his identity as 'a Hebrew of Hebrews,' zealous for the Law, as he describes himself. The biblical narrative in the Book of Acts consistently refers to him as Saul until a pivotal moment during his first missionary journey. Acts 13:9 states, 'But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him.' From this point forward, the narrative almost exclusively uses 'Paul.' This transition is significant, not as a name change in the sense of a divine renaming like Abraham or Jacob, but rather as the adoption of his Roman *cognomen* or family name, 'Paulus,' for his primary identity in his ministry to the Gentile world. His Roman citizenship, as highlighted in Acts 22:25-28, afforded him specific legal protections and facilitated his travels throughout the Roman Empire, making his Roman name more practical and acceptable in that context. The choice to emphasize 'Paul' rather than 'Saul' after Acts 13 is often interpreted as symbolic of his mission shift and theological humility. While 'Saul' evokes the image of a powerful, albeit flawed, king and a persecutor of the Church, 'Paul' (from Latin *Paulus*) means 'small' or 'humble.' This linguistic nuance aligns with Paul's own self-description as 'the least of the apostles' (1 Corinthians 15:9) and 'less than the least of all saints' (Ephesians 3:8). The consistent use of 'Paul' signals his primary identity as the Apostle to the Gentiles, a role divinely appointed at his conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:15). It allowed him to bridge the cultural gap between Jewish and Gentile worlds, proclaiming the universal message of Christ without being exclusively identified by his former Jewish zeal or regal Hebrew name.
KEY TERMS
Saul
The Hebrew name of the Apostle Paul, linking him to his Jewish heritage and the first king of Israel.
Paul
The Roman name of the Apostle, from Latin 'Paulus' meaning 'small' or 'humble,' which he adopted for his Gentile ministry.
Roman citizenship
A legal status in the Roman Empire that granted specific rights and protections, which Paul possessed by birth in Tarsus.
Hellenistic world
The period and cultural sphere influenced by Greek civilization after Alexander the Great, characterized by the blending of Greek and local cultures.
Gentile world
Refers to the non-Jewish nations and peoples, whom Paul was specifically called to evangelize.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Philippians 3:5
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as concerning the law, a Pharisee;
Acts 13:9
But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,
Acts 22:25
As they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not condemned?”
Acts 22:26
When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, “Watch what you are doing, for this man is a Roman citizen!”
Acts 22:27
The commanding officer came and asked him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” He said, “Yes.”
Acts 22:28
The commanding officer answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money.” Paul said, “But I was born a Roman citizen.”
1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.
Ephesians 3:8
To me, who am less than the least of all saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before nations and kings and the children of Israel.
INTERLINEAR ANALYSIS
Interlinear Greek
Acts 13:9ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
שָׁאוּל
Saul
DefinitionAsked for, prayed for
Παῦλος
Paul
DefinitionSmall, humble
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it was common for individuals in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially those with dual cultural identities, to possess multiple names. Jews living in the Diaspora, particularly those with Roman citizenship, often adopted a Roman *praenomen* (first name), *nomen* (family name), and *cognomen* (clan name or nickname) alongside their Hebrew names. Tarsus, Paul's birthplace in Cilicia (modern-day Turkey), was a prominent city in the Roman Empire, known for its intellectual life and as a center of commerce. It was granted Roman citizenship privileges by Augustus. Therefore, Saul's Roman name, Paulus, would have been part of his birthright as a citizen of Tarsus. This dual naming convention facilitated interaction across diverse cultural and administrative spheres, allowing individuals to navigate both their local ethnic traditions and the broader Roman imperial system. The shift from 'Saul' to 'Paul' in the biblical narrative marks not a supernatural renaming, but a practical and symbolic embrace of the name most suitable for his mission to the *goyim* (Gentiles), given his Roman identity and the widespread use of Greek and Latin in the Empire.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
The transition from Saul to Paul carries profound theological weight, symbolizing a radical transformation and a new divine appointment. Prior to his conversion, Saul was a fervent persecutor of the nascent Christian church, embodying zealous adherence to Jewish law that blinded him to the truth of Christ. His encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus Road fundamentally reoriented his identity and purpose. The adoption of 'Paul' for his Gentile ministry underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, moving beyond the ethnocentric focus of his former life. It reflects the inclusivity of the Gospel message, which breaks down 'the middle wall of partition' between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14). The name 'Paul,' meaning 'small,' also prefigures the Apostle's consistent emphasis on grace over works, and humility in service, embodying the paradoxical strength found in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This shift signifies not merely a change in nomenclature but a profound theological statement about the nature of the New Covenant and the global reach of Christ's church.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Henry notes that Saul's conversion was a profound turning point, and his use of the name Paul, meaning 'small,' could reflect a humble spirit, in contrast to the regal implications of 'Saul.' He suggests that 'Paul' became his more common name among the Gentiles, indicating his designated ministry.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin observes that it was common for individuals to have different names, one Hebrew and one Roman, for different contexts. He suggests that Paul likely chose to use his Roman name, Paul, when engaging with the Gentile world to better facilitate his evangelistic mission among them, signaling his transition from a Jewish zealot to an apostle to the nations.
Rambam (Maimonides) (Jewish)
While Maimonides did not comment on Paul directly, Jewish tradition (as seen in figures like Abraham and Jacob) often attributes profound significance to name changes or having multiple names. A name often reflects one's essence or destiny. Thus, 'Saul' (Sha'ul) meaning 'asked for' or 'prayed for' could refer to the people asking for a king, or the parents praying for a child, connecting him to the legacy of King Saul, and his initial prominence before his transformation.
John Chrysostom (Early Church Father)
Chrysostom highlights the divine wisdom in the narrative's timing of the name change. He explains that God did not change his name, but that Luke, the author of Acts, began to use his Roman name, Paul, precisely when he embarked on his Gentile mission, signifying that he was leaving his Jewish past behind to become an apostle to the nations.
The Didache (Early Church)
Though not directly commenting on Paul's name, the Didache emphasizes the universal nature of the church and the spread of the Gospel 'from the ends of the earth.' This early Christian document underscores the context in which Paul's Gentile mission, and thus his Roman name, would become prominent and instrumental for proclaiming Christ beyond Jewish confines.