What was Paul's real name?

The individual known as the Apostle Paul had two names, reflecting his dual identity as a Jew and a Roman citizen within the Hellenistic world. His original Hebrew name was Saul (Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Sha'ul), a common name in Israel, notably borne by the first king of Israel. He was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, a Roman province, which granted him Roman citizenship. As a Roman citizen, it was customary for him to also possess a Latin name, which was Paulus. The New Testament, specifically the Book of Acts, chronicles the transition in the use of his name. He is consistently referred to as Saul up to the point of his conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) and during the initial stages of his missionary journeys among the Jews. The shift to calling him Paul occurs in Acts 13:9, during his first missionary journey on the island of Cyprus, when he confronted the sorcerer Elymas (Bar-Jesus) in the presence of the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus. From this point onward, he is almost exclusively referred to as Paul throughout the remainder of Acts and in all of his epistles. This change was not necessarily a symbolic 'conversion name change' but rather a practical and perhaps strategic adoption of his Roman name as he embarked on his mission to the Gentiles. It would have facilitated his interactions in the Greco-Roman world, making him more approachable to non-Jews. The name 'Paulus' means 'small' or 'humble' in Latin, which aligns with his later self-description as "the least of the apostles" (1 Corinthians 15:9). This dual nomenclature highlights the complex cultural and linguistic landscape of the early church and Paul's unique position as an apostle to both Jew and Gentile, embodying a bridge between these worlds through his heritage and citizenship.

During the Roman period, particularly in the Hellenistic East, it was common for individuals, especially Jews living in the Diaspora, to have both a Hebrew name and a Greco-Roman name. This practice facilitated interaction in a multicultural empire where Latin and Greek were dominant languages of commerce, administration, and everyday life. Tarsus, Paul's birthplace, was a prominent city in the Roman province of Cilicia, known for its intellectual and commercial activity. As a 'free city,' Tarsus granted certain privileges, and its inhabitants, like Saul, often held Roman citizenship. This dual identity allowed Paul to navigate both Jewish synagogues and Gentile marketplaces, leveraging his heritage and citizenship for his apostolic mission. The Roman roads, administrative structures, and common languages (Greek Koine) provided the infrastructure for the rapid spread of the Gospel, which Paul effectively utilized.

The transition in the use of Paul's name from Saul to Paul carries profound theological implications. While not a literal name change like Abram to Abraham or Jacob to Israel, the consistent use of 'Paul' after Acts 13:9 by Luke, the author of Acts, marks a significant shift in his public identity and ministry focus. It subtly underscores his divine commission to be an apostle to the Gentiles, as stated in Acts 9:15, "For he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before nations and kings and the children of Israel." The adoption of his Roman name, Paul, for this ministry demonstrated an embodiment of cultural flexibility and humility, signifying his willingness to become 'all things to all people' to win some (1 Corinthians 9:22). This exemplifies God's strategic preparation of individuals for His purposes, utilizing their background and identity to fulfill His redemptive plan.