Paul - By All Means - Introduction

A few days before Easter 2001, I arrived in Greece for the first time since having left nearly two years earlier. I was looking forward to seeing my wife’s family, along with many brothers and sisters in Christ, plus some real good friends. As you can imagine, I was excited and anxious to do and see everything and everyone all at once. After all, I had spent nearly 9 years of my adult life and until two years earlier, all of my married life, in this rugged and beautiful country.

Accompanying me, (or should I say I was accompanying him) was a relatively new friend and laborer for the Lord, Rev. Tim Sullivan. Tim was there to present his class, “The Weapons of Our Warfare,” on the island of Thasos. Thasos was the place where I had spent the last four years of my life prior to leaving Greece and returning to the United States to continue a course of Biblical studies.

For one day before the Easter Holidays, then 3 days after Tim’s week-long seminar, we had planned to follow the Apostle Paul’s journey through Greece as he answered what has been referred to as “the Macedonian call.” Having previously been to all the places we would visit made me the likely choice to act as tour guide. A job I was more than willing to do, given that I had had the opportunity on more than a few occasions to show visitors from various European countries, not to mention the United States, around most of the sites on our itinerary.

What truly amazed me was that when I reached my in-laws house and saw my loved ones, my wife’s uncle presented me with a newly published book. To my great surprise, I saw that the subject of the book was the apostle Paul and his travels through Greece. The author of the book is a professor of Theology in Athens named Georgios Galitis. The book is entitled, “Paul, the apostle of the Greeks.” It contains many historically accurate details regarding Paul’s travels and the establishment of the Christian faith on European soil. In addition, the book contains many fine photographs of the various places Paul visited while working to bring the gospel to the gentile world. Something the book alluded to, which I had never really considered before, were the facts regarding Paul’s upbringing and the three-fold background he had had.

The first thing we should know regarding Paul’s background is the fact that he was a Jew by religion. By all accounts, he was raised in and lived according to one of the strictest sects of his religion. While making his defense to King Agrippa one day, the apostle says the following with regard to his upbringing.

I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. Acts 26:2-5

Apart from his upbringing as a Jew, he profited in this religion above his peers as an adult.

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. Gal: 1:13,14

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: Acts: 23:6a

In fact, it is as Saul of Tarsus, exceedingly zealous Pharisee and son of a Pharisee, that we are introduced to this man in the Scriptures at the brutal death of Stephen the Martyr.

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. Acts: 7:58-60

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

And Saul was consenting unto his death. Acts: 8:1a

Though not much (at least to my knowledge) has been written regarding this incident just imagine the impact this must have had on young Saul’s life. To watch a man being stoned to death, cry out for the forgiveness of his murderers! This incident does show how all of our background can and is used by the Lord to further His purposes. One need only read the seventeenth chapter of the book of Acts to see the apostle use a well-known Greek poet to present the Gospel message unto the Athenians. This brings us to the second part under consideration in Paul’s threefold background.

Paul was raised in Tarsus, a Hellenistic city located in the southern Asia Minor province of Celicia which dates to antiquity. The Hellenistic (Greek) culture was the prevalent culture of the day. Philosophy, poetry, mathematics, medicine and science were all heavily influenced by, if not dominated by, the Greeks prior to the time of Paul’s birth. Nearly three hundred years before, Alexander the Great and his armies conquered this, and many other provinces, spreading eastward and subduing all that rose to meet them. The former pupil of Aristotle, Alexander’s quest included conquering the mind as well as the heart of those he battled. To Alexander, the establishment of the Hellenistic culture was an important part of his military victories. Thus, Tarsus was as Greek as Athens or Corinth in that its people spoke Greek, worshipped Greek gods and studied the Greek philosophers. The evidence of Paul’s familiarity with the Greek language being equal to that of a native speaker is convincing. The eloquence and flow of the language in his epistles indicate more than an adequate knowledge for daily purposes. They offer an example of proficiency not to be found apart from the greatest works of literature. Moreover, Paul’s repeated reference to, and quote of, the Septuagint in his various epistles indicate his familiarity and study of the Old Testament in the Greek language.

The third element that made Paul a unique vessel for the Lord was the fact that he was a Roman citizen. On the surface this may not seem important but on more than one occasion Paul’s citizenship in the Empire of Rome was to prove extremely important in his making known the gospel of our Lord. In fact, there were times when his being a Roman citizen actually saved his life. What privileges were afforded Paul as a citizen of Rome? First and foremost, citizens were free to travel throughout the empire. In addition, Roman citizens were protected from illegal imprisonment or punishment without a trial. It was considered an insult to the Roman government if the rights of its citizens were not defended and upheld. This would explain the fear the magistrates in Philippi had when they learned that Paul and company were Roman citizens.

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. Acts 16:37,38

Such infractions were considered to be a capital crime for those who violated the rights of a Roman citizen. Paul’s insistence that the magistrates come and release them from prison themselves, was in fact a public witness to their innocence of any wrong doing. On another occasion, when his rights as a citizen of Rome were not upheld, the outcome was somewhat different.

The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

Once again Paul was illegally treated under Roman law and once again those who had violated the law were afraid of the consequences that might befall them. From the Scriptures we learn that Paul was a Roman citizen, “free born.”

When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. Acts 22:24-29

Moreover, citizens had the right to appeal to the high court of the Emperor himself from the rulings of the provinces. In fact, it was by virtue of his Roman citizenship that Paul ended up in Rome on an appeal to Caesar.

Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. Acts: 25:10,11

Through his Roman citizenry and by virtue of his appeal to Caesar, Paul was able to fulfill the will of the Lord for his life.

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. Acts: 23:11

Had he not appealed to Caesar (which only citizens could do) he probably would have been let go free with over forty men banded together and out for his blood.

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. Acts: 23:12,13

It is remarkable to see how Paul’s imprisonment was in fact part of God’s plan for his life. After all, it is in jail at Rome that Paul pens some of the greatest words ever put to paper in the epistles written to the Churches. In his second letter to Timothy (written while in prison at Rome) we read of Paul’s end and his departure from this life. What a truly glorious account it is!

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2Tm:4:6, 7

“I have finished my course,” said the apostle Paul. “I have kept the faith.” Fine words indeed! Additionally, he writes a final exhortation to all who have ears to hear.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2Tm:4:8

So we see the three-fold background of the apostle Paul and the role it played in the furtherance of the Gospel. Perhaps like no other is Paul an example of a vessel yielded unto the Lord and made “meet for the Masters use.” (2 Tim 2:21) In Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) we can see the necessity of every member in the Body of Christ. How precious and valuable each and every member is!

One final thought. Though this work examines in detail Paul’s answer of “the Macedonian Call,” it is in no way intended to magnify or exalt him beyond that which he has been exalted by God Almighty Himself. Paul’s life and ministry stand as a witness to the goodness and faithfulness of our God in so many ways. What I hope we learn from this study, is how to better imitate Paul in bringing the message of Salvation to a lost and dying world.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 1 Cor. 9:19-22

“By all means,” was Paul exemplary in the fulfillment of the Great Commission given the Church by its Head and Lord, Jesus Christ. May we learn from Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles and wise master builder, in order that we too, “might by all means,” save some.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:15-20

© Copyright 2002 Rev. Todd W. Pekel