Your Bible trivia questions answered by Phil Logos...

What tribe is Paul from?

Answer: Benjamin.

Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus, was a Jewish man born in the ancient city of Tarsus (located in modern-day Turkey). He inherited Roman citizenship from his birth, which was a significant advantage at the time as it granted him various rights and privileges. Paul’s father belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and Paul was born into this tribe as well.

Paul received a strong Jewish education under the guidance of Gamaliel, a highly respected Pharisee and scholar of Jewish law. As a devout Jew, Paul initially opposed the early Christian movement and passionately persecuted its followers. He was well-known for his zealous efforts to suppress the spread of Christianity.

However, Paul experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, where he encountered a vision of the risen Jesus Christ. This event led him to change his name from Saul to Paul and completely transformed his life’s mission. No longer an enemy of Christians, Paul became a devoted follower of Christ and one of the most influential apostles.

Paul’s original trade was as a tentmaker, which was a common occupation in his time. After his conversion, though, he dedicated his life to spreading the message of Christ throughout the Roman Empire. He travelled extensively, founding churches and teaching about Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles. His missionary journeys took him to places like Cyprus, Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), Greece, and eventually Rome.

Paul’s writings, which include letters to various churches and individuals, make up a significant portion of the New Testament. His teachings have had a lasting impact on Christian theology and practice, particularly in areas such as justification by faith, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of unity among believers.

In summary, Paul was a Jew from Tarsus who inherited Roman citizenship and was educated as a zealous Jew by Gamaliel. Initially a persecutor of Christians, Paul experienced a life-changing conversion and became one of the most important apostles in the early Christian church. As a tentmaker turned apostle, he dedicated his life to spreading the message of Christ throughout the Roman Empire.