S.H.A.P.E of Paul.pdf

S.H.A.P.E of Paul
Introduction:
God has a purpose for all of us. He has set us apart even while we were in our mother’s
womb for His purpose. God doesn’t expect us to fulfill His purpose all by ourself, instead He
has given us the spiritual gifts, instils passion in our heart, given us natural abilities, given us
a personality and unique experiences to groom us to achieve His purpose. The more we
align to His will, the more we can be used by Him.
Galatians 1:15:But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me
by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the
Gentiles
God had chosen Paul as His instrument to proclaim His name to the Gentiles, kings and
Jews. The aim of this article is to analyse the S.H.A.P.E of Paul in the light of Scriptures(
although there could have been other aspects as well), and understand how God helped him
achieve His purpose in life.
Acts 9:15:But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to
proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will
show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Acts 26: 16-18: I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of
what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from
the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness
to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Spiritual Gifts:
God has given the spiritual gifts to us according to His will.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7,11: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes
them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of
working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the
manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. All these are the work of one
and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
List of spiritual gifts:
The below verses mention the list of spiritual gifts that God has given to the church.
Romans 12:6-8: Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his
teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the
one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Corinthians 12:7-10:To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance
of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another
gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to
another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to
another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:28: And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets,
third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds
of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11-13: And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds
and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature
manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
1 Peter 4:9-11: Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a
gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks,
as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that
God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him
belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Romans 12:6-8 1 Corinthians
12:7-10
1 Corinthians
12:28
Ephesians 4:11 1 Peter 4:9-10
apostles apostles
prophecy prophecy prophets prophets
evangelists
ability to
distinguish
between spirits
utterance of
wisdom
shepherds
teaching teachers teachers speaks oracles
of God
utterance of
knowledge
encouraging
working of
miracles
miracles
gifts of healing gifts of healing
hospitality
service helping serves
leading
administrating
various kinds of
tongues
various kinds of
tongues
interpretation of
tongues

giving
faith
mercy
Spiritual gifts of Paul:
God had used the spiritual gifts of Paul to reach the Jews, Gentiles and the kings.
1.Apostle:
As an apostle, Paul planted many churches and reached many unreached people groups.
He had even risked his life for the sake of Christ while planting the churches.
Galatians 1:1: Paul, an apostle —sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and
God the Father, who raised him from the dead
1 Corinthians 9:1: Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?
1 Corinthians 15:9-10: For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be
called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am
what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of
them —yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
1 Corinthians 3:6,10:I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it
grow. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone
else is building on it. But each one should build with care.
Romans 15:20: It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was
not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.
2 Corinthians 11:22-23: Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they
Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk
like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been
flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
2.Teacher:
He spent quality time in training the disciples in the word of God.
Acts 11:25,26: Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he
brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church
and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Acts 18:11: So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of
God.
Acts 19:9,10: He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall
of Tyrannus(at Ephesus). This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks
who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
Paul was a great theologian which reflects in his epistles to Romans and Ephesians. He also
used the style of diatribe wherein he raises questions and also provides answers to the
question in his epistles(Romans 2-4,6,7).
He also preached the gospel:
Romans 15:18,19: I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has
accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and

done—from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of
Christ.
Ephesians 3:8-9: Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was
given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to
everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God,
who created all things.
1 Corinthians 9:16: For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to
preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
2 Corinthians 4:5: For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and
ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5: My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive
words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on
human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Acts 14:1,21: At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue.
There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.They
preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples.
Acts 13:44: On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the
Lord.
3.Shepherd:
The heart of the shepherd is always after the welfare of the sheep.
Paul was concerned about the spiritual needs of the church and addressed the issues in the
churches of 1, 2 Corinthians,1,2 Thessalonians, Romans.
When some from the circumcised group came to Antioch and spread false teachings, he
went to Jerusalem council to get the issue sorted out(Acts 15).
He also did a followup journey and encouraged the churches he founded during his second
and third missionary journeys.
Acts 15:36: Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers
in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
Acts 18:23: After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from
place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the
disciples.
Acts 20:1,2: When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after
encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area,
speaking many words of encouragement to the people
4.Evangelist:
God had used Paul for evangelising and spreading the gospel to Jews, Gentiles and kings.
Acts 9:15: But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to
show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Acts 13:2-3:While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart
for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had
fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
5.Prophecy:
Paul had prophesied about the future events related to the end of times.
1 Corinthians 14:22: Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers;
prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52: Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be
changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will
sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Romans 11:25-26: I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so
that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full
number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:9,10: The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how
Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that
serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They
perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
6.Utterance of knowledge:
God used Paul to reveal the mysteries to the churches. He helped the church to have a
clear understanding of the word of God. He spent his time to answer difficult questions
so that people could accept the gospel.
Ephesians 3:8-9: Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was
given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to
everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God,
who created all things.
2 Corinthians 5:11: Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade
others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5:My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive
words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on
human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Acts 17:2-4: As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days
he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah
had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,”
he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large
number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
Acts 28:23,24: They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger
numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening,
explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the
Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he
said, but others would not believe.
7.Leading:
He was a churchman(spiritual leader). He did many followup journeys and encouraged the
churches he established in the first and second missionary journeys. He also wrote the
epistles to 1 and 2 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Romans to address the issues
in the church.

1 Corinthians 4:15: Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have
many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
Paul also appointed elders to take care of the churches.
Acts 14:23: Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer
and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Paul also adviced the elders of Ephesus on how they need to conduct
themselves(Acts20:17-36).
8.Ability to distinguish between spirits:
Paul had the gift of discernment to distinguish between the spirits.
Acts 13:8-11: But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and
tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with
the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an
enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will
you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is
against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”
Acts 16:16-18: Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female
slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money
for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These
men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She
kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around
and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of
her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
9.Working of miracles:
Acts 20:9-10: Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into
a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground
from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young
man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”
Acts 19:11-12: God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs
and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured
and the evil spirits left them.
Romans 15:18,19: I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has
accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and
done— by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So
from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
10.Tongues:
1 Corinthians 14:18,22: I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is
not for unbelievers but for believers.
11.Encouraging:
Paul did followup journeys and strengthened the believers.
Acts 14:21,22: Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the
disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many
hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Acts 20:1-3: When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after
encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area,
speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,
1 Thessalonians 2:11,12: For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals
with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of
God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
12.Healing:
Acts 14:9: He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he
had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up
and began to walk.
Acts 28:8,9: His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to
see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had
happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured.
13.Helping:
Paul collected the gifts and took to the churches at Judea during the time of famine.
Acts 11:29,30: The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers
and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and
Saul.
2 Corinthians 8:19-21: What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as
we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to
show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this
liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but
also in the eyes of man.
14.Utterance of wisdom:
Paul was able to give proper guidance with God’s help during tough situations. On seeing
this the centurion and others in the ship would have understood God’s power.
Acts 27:25,26: So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just
as he told me.Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.
Paul was able to take the right decision/judgment with the help of God’s leading. On seeing
this those travelling with him would have understood God’s plan after they reached
Macedonia.
Acts 16:6-10: Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and
Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of
Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of
Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During
the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over
to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave
for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
15.Administering:
Paul split the tasks and sent people
Sent Timothy and Silas to Macedonia and Titus to Corinth.
Timothy: From Berea only Paul went to Athens because of the problem created by Jews.
Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to strengthen and encourage and to find whether
they are standing in faith.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2,5-6:So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left
by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s
service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your
faith...For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I
was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have
been in vain. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news
about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and
that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.
Silas: Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea to stabilize the new church and helped to build it up
(Acts 17:10-14). When Paul got to Athens, he sent for Silas and Timothy (Acts 17:15).
Timothy, and apparently Silas, left Athens and returned to Thessalonica to encourage
the believers there. Some have suggested Silas went on to Philippi to encourage those
believers as well and bring back a financial gift, but the Scripture is silent on this possible
visit to Philippi. What we do know is that Silas and Timothy journeyed together from
Macedonia to meet Paul in Corinth.
Titus: Titus was sent to Corinth to collect the gift.
2 Corinthians 8:6,17,18: So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to
bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. For Titus not only welcomed our
appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are
sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the
gospel.
Paul also took care of organising and collecting the gifts from Macedonia and Greece
for the churches in Jerusalem and Judea.
2 Corinthians 8:19-21: What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as
we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to
show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this
liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but
also in the eyes of man.
Paul left Timothy at Ephesus to stop false teaching
1 Timothy 1:3: As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that
you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer
Paul left Titus at Crete to appoint elders.
Titus 1:5: The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left
unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
16.Giving:
Paul was eager to help those in need.
Galatians 2:10:All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very
thing I had been eager to do all along.
Acts 11:29, 30: The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the
brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by
Barnabas and Saul.
17.Faith:
Paul stepped out in faith amidst obstacles. As he had faith in God, he risked his life for the
spread of gospel.

Galatia: Acts 14:19-22: Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the
crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The
next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the gospel in that city and won a
large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go
through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Jerusalem: Acts 21:10-13: After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named
Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands
and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem
will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to
Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am
ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus.”
Rome: Philippians 1:21: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
18.Hospitality
Acts 28:30: For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and
welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about
the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
19.Mercy:
Paul prayed for others so that their physical and spiritual needs can be met.
1 Thessalonians 3:10: Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again
and supply what is lacking in your faith.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12: With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may
make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every
desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name
of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon 6: I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening
your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
Philippians 1:3-6: In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your
partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who
began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Colossians 1:3-6: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we
pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have
for all God’s people — the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in
heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has
come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole
world —just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood
God’s grace.
Ephesians 1:18-19: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you
may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his
holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 3:16-19: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power
through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all
the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of
all the fullness of God.
20.Interpretation:
Paul asks us to pray for the interpretation of tongue when we have the gift of tongues. The
Bible doesn’t say if Paul had a gift of interpretation or not.
1 Corinthians 14:13: For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they
may interpret what they say.
2.Heart’s Passion:
God works in our hearts to will and to act accordingly to His purpose.
Philippians 2:13: for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his
good purpose.
To identify Heart’s Passion:
1. Who do you love serving?
2. What needs do you love meeting?
3. What challenges or cause do you love conquering?
1.Who do you love serving?
Age group of people:
● 0-5 years
● 6-12 years
● 13-17 years
● 18-22 years
● 23-26 years
● 27-40 years
● 41-60 years
● 61-70 years
Economic status of people
● Upper middle class
● Lower middle class
● Middle class
2.What needs do you love meeting?
● Spiritual needs
● Physical needs
● Relational needs
● Emotional needs
● Educational needs
3.What challenges or cause do you love conquering? (Need to sync with website)
● poverty/hunger of poor
● farmers plight
● alcoholism/drug addiction-families affected by this evil

● poor education quality
● social injustice, decaying justice system
● environmental issues
● decaying politics, political policies
● Deceived youngsters
● unhealthy entertainment through cinema and social media
● child labour and child abuse
● orphan/homeless children
● differently-abled persons
● marriage/family issues
● health and nutritional issues in the society
● Christian parenting
● unreached people groups of India/Tamil Nadu
● languages where there are no bibles yet
● sinful lives of believers
● Politics and casteism in church
● visionless churches
● believers without sound biblical knowledge
● ignorance of people from other religions-apologetics
● villages without churches
● various creative arts such as music, writing, media, plays etc
● others
Heart’s Passion of Paul:
Paul had a passion for God. He was ready to even die for God
Acts 21:10-13: After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came
down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it
and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the
owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to
Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am
ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus.”
Paul knew God’s passion for souls as he knew the character and goodness of God. Hence
Paul had a burden for souls.
Paul passionately preached gospel to the unreached places:
Paul was not just passionate to spread the gospel till Rome, but he also wanted to travel
even farther West to Spain. History says that he even reached till Britain.
Romans 15:20,24: It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ
was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. I plan to do
so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me
on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
● He did all that he could so that somehow the gospel will be preached: 1
Corinthians 9:19-23: Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a
slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew,
to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I
myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having

the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law
but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I
became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by
all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel,
that I may share in its blessings.
● He was eager to preach the gospel as he was obligated. He argued with the Jews
proving Jesus is Christ and he apologetically argued with Gentiles so that gospel
would be spread. Romans 1:14: I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks,
both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel
also to you who are in Rome.
● He took the longer route to spread the gospel from Salamis to Paphos at Cyprus:
Acts 13:6:They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos.
● He was ready to even risk his life for the sake of the gospel: During the first
missionary journey, Paul was stoned at Lystra, yet went back to the city. On his way
back, he went again to the city to strengthen the believers. Acts 14:19-22: Then
some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned
Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the
disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city...They
preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they
returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and
encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many
hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Paul had a burden that his sheep would be nurtured and protected from being led
astray:
● He appointed leaders in Galatian churches: Acts 14:20-23: Then they returned to
Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to
remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of
God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church
and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their
trust.
● He advised elders of Ephesus to take care of their flock(Acts 20:16-35)
● Paul left Timothy at Ephesus to stop false teaching: 1 Timothy 1:3: As I urged you
when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command
certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer
● Paul left Titus at Crete to appoint elders: Titus 1:5: The reason I left you in Crete
was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every
town, as I directed you.
● During the second missionary journey, he did followup journey and went again to
see the churches on how they were doing although they persecuted them when he
was there earlier: Acts 15:36:Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back
and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord
and see how they are doing.”
● When some from the circumcised group came to Antioch and spread false teachings,
he went to Jerusalem council to get the issue sorted out(Acts 15). This shows how
much he was concerned about false teaching getting spread among his sheep
● Paul rebuked Peter when he stood up while he was eating with Gentiles when people
from James came. This shows how much he was concerned about his sheep.

● He addressed the issues in the church in his epistles: 1 and 2 Corinthians, 1 and
2 Thessalonians, Romans, Philemon
Paul majorly focused on meeting the spiritual needs of the people, no matter what the age
was(Bible is silent if he reached kids), whether they were a Jew or a Gentile, or a rich or a
poor person, or a man or a woman, Paul reached all kinds of people even the elite sections
of the society. He had a burden for souls and so God helped him reach Jews, Gentiles,
governors, officials, centurions, Kings. Also God used him for the weak as well.
His heart’s passion was to meet the below needs:
● He focussed on inculcating sound knowledge to the believers
● He reasoned with the Gentiles
● He planted churches
● He focussed on reaching unreached people groups
● He addressed the sin issue in the lives of believers which separated them from God
● He addressed issues in the church such as divisions in the church.
● He appointed elders and advised them so as to avoid visionless churches
3.Abilities:
Natural abilities and talents:
Christians belittle the natural abilities or talents given by God. They in fact even consider
education and intelligence not worthwhile and think that God gives only spiritual gifts to us.
Some verses given to support this argument are:
1 Corinthians 1:27: But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God
chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 2:13: This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but
in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
2 Corinthians 10:4,5:The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On
the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and
every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every
thought to make it obedient to Christ.
But we need to understand the fact that the context of the above verses are not related to
natural abilities and talents. Also the Bible doesn’t deny the fact that God has given abilities
to all of us. On the other hand, we see incidents in the Bible to prove that God used the
natural abilities of people:
● Moses was trained in Egypt to lead the people of Israel
● David had written Psalms
● Isaiah had poetic skills
● Solomon had wisdom
However, we should ensure that we don’t rely on ourselves.
All of our abilities come from God. Since our natural abilities are from God they are just as
important as our spiritual gifts.
● Administration
● arts/crafts
● athletics/sports
● audio/visual
● adapting

● analysing
● library science
● maintenance/repairs
● musical: vocal
● musician: instrumental
● decorating
● performing arts/drama
● planning trips/events
● plan implementation
● project management
● event management
● evaluation skills
● counselling
● sales
● hospitality
● electrical
● floral arranging
● food preparation
● graphic design
● cake decorating
● computer skills
● sewing
● vehicle maintenance
● videography
● drawing
● photography
● organising
● analytical skills
● coordination
● planning
● writing
● marketing
● gardening
● electronics
● programming
● public speaking
● puppets
● catering
● secretarial assistance
● Soundsystem
● cooking
● painting
● desktop publishing
● business
● web design
● networking
● managing
● listening

● recruiting
● research
● encouraging
● language
● promotion
● influencing
● learning
● travelling
● mentoring
● negotiation
● pioneering
● promoting
● strategising
● teaching
● translating
● welcoming
● communicating
● competing
● connecting
Abilities of Paul:
Expert in Torah and learned in Scriptures and knew many languages, so he could
preach, write epistles and debate:
● He was learned in the Old Testament Scriptures and so he was able to prove to
the Jews that Jesus is Messiah and so he knew the Hebrew language well.
● He knew Aramaic language and used it at the right time in front of Jews to silence
them. Acts 21:40-22:2: After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on
the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in
Aramaic: “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they heard him
speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.
● He knew Greek language and culture and this was useful in debating even with
the Greek philosophers: Acts 17:13
● He wrote 13 epistles in the New Testament(Romans-Philemon).
● He had the communication skills and knew when to say what with the guidance
of God.
● He revealed that he was a Jew:Acts 21:39-22:3:Paul answered, “I am a Jew,
from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the
people.” After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps
and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in
Aramaic: “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they heard
him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.
● He revealed that he was a Roman citizen: Acts 22:25-26,29: As they
stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it
legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found
guilty?” When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and
reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman
citizen.” Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately.

The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put
Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.
● He was able to grab the attention of governors and kings(Acts 26)
Ability to exert physically and do manual labour:
● He was a tentmaker and so not a financial burden to the churches as he worked and
spread the gospel: Acts 18:3: because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed
and worked with them.
● He had the ability to travel from Syria till Spain and Britain and spread the
gospel.
● He had the ability to adapt to any kind of situation so that the gospel of God could
be spread.
● He was able to endure persecution. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28: Are they servants of
Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,
been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to
death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus
one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I
was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly
on the move. I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers,
in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in
danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false
believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known
hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Paul didn’t take pride in his abilities but instead used all the abilities God had given him for
the advancement of the gospel and for the glory of God.
4.Personality:
God has woven us in a particular manner so that His purpose could be achieved in our lives.
Some examples of the personalities:
● Extrovert or Reserved
● High Risk or Low Risk
● Peace Maker or Challenger
● People Driven or Project Driven
● Follower or Leader
● Team or Solo
● Routine or Variety
Paul’s personalities:
Extrovert: Paul easily mingled with all including people he met for the first time.
● Acts 17:17:So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing
Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be
there.
● Acts 17:17,18:So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing
Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to
be there.A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him.
Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He

seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching
the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
● Acts 17:22: Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People
of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
● Felix:Acts 24
● Festus, King Agrippa:Acts 25
● Sanhedrin: Acts 23
● Acts 28:23: They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger
numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till
evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from
the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus.
Bold:
● 2 Thessalonians 2:1,2: You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not
without results. We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi,
as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the
face of strong opposition.
● 2 Corinthians 10:10-11:For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in
person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” Such people
should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our
actions when we are present.
● Acts 26:26,27: The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to
him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not
done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
● Praetorian guards were guarding Paul during the 2 years of house arrest. They were
an elite unit of Roman army who were personal body guards for high profile people.
The Roman soldiers were under the Roman government, but Paul preached about
kingdom of God in front of them. Although they were always with Paul, Paul didn’t
hesitate to share the gospel, but shared with boldness and without hindrance. Acts
28:16,30,31:When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a
soldier to guard him.For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house
and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and
taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
● He was bold that nothing could separate him from the love of God: Romans 8:38-39:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the
present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else
in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
Caring:
● 1 Thessalonians 2:6-8: We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or
anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.
Instead, we were like young children among you.Just as a nursing mother cares for
her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted
to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
● Galatians 4:19,20: My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth
until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone,
because I am perplexed about you!

Encouraging:
1 Thessalonians 2:11,12: For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals
with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of
God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Determined and Ready to take risk:
He was determined. He made every effort to spread gospel even amidst persecution.
● New mission fields: Romans 15:20:It has always been my ambition to preach the
gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone
else’s foundation.
● Die for the Lord: Acts 21:13: Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and
breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem
for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Adaptable:
He was people focussed. He became Jew for a Jew and gentile for a gentile so that
somehow gospel will be preached:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23: Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave
to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.
To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the
law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not
having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win
those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all
things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the
sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
He was skilled to handle various kinds of people, places and situations:
Could handle learned Jews, philosophical Greeks, elite Gentiles and women, Roman
Jailor(Acts 16) and Roman centurions(Acts 22-24,27), Roman governors Festus and Felix,
King Agrippa, Bernice.
Pioneered and mentored: Pioneered, guided and led on how things need to be done
Timothy, Silas and Titus
● Paul split the tasks and sent people. Sent Timothy and Silas to Macedonia and
Titus to Corinth.
○ Timothy: From Berea only Paul went to Athens because of the problem
created by Jews. Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to strengthen and
encourage and to find whether they are standing in faith. 1 Thessalonians
3:1-2,5-6:So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by
ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker
in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and
encourage you in your faith...For this reason, when I could stand it no
longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the
tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. But
Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about
your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories
of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

○ Silas: Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea to stabilize the new church and
helped to build it up (Acts 17:10-14). When Paul got to Athens, he sent for
Silas and Timothy (Acts 17:15). Timothy, and apparently Silas, left Athens
and returned to Thessalonica to encourage the believers there. Some
have suggested Silas went on to Philippi to encourage those believers as
well and bring back a financial gift, but the Scripture is silent on this possible
visit to Philippi. What we do know is that Silas and Timothy journeyed
together from Macedonia to meet Paul in Corinth.
○ Titus: Titus was sent to Corinth to collect the gift.2 Corinthians 8:6,17,18: So
we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to
completion this act of grace on your part. For Titus not only welcomed our
appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own
initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all
the churches for his service to the gospel.
● He advised the elders of Ephesus to take care of their flock(Acts 20:16-35)
● Paul left Timothy at Ephesus to stop false teaching: 1 Timothy 1:3: As I urged you
when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command
certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer
● Paul left Titus at Crete to appoint elders: Titus 1:5: The reason I left you in Crete
was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every
town, as I directed you.
● He told Titus to come to him after he sent Artemas or Tychicus to replace Titus at
Nicopolis: Titus 3:12: As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your
best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
● He instructed people even when he was not with them. He asked Timothy to come to
Rome along with Mark. He sent Tychicus to Ephesus to replace Timothy’s place: 2
Timothy 4:9,11-13: Do your best to come to me quickly.Only Luke is with me. Get
Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent
Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at
Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
Team player: travelled in missionary journeys together: Acts 20:4: He was accompanied by
Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius
from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
Also he could handle situations alone as well as in Athens(Acts 17)
He challenged the Jews and debated with Gentiles
Acts 17:17,18:So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing
Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A
group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them
asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating
foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and
the resurrection.
Peacemaker:
● Addressed division in church:1 Corinthians 1:10-11:I appeal to you, brothers and
sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in
what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly

united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household
have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
● Tried to reconcile Onesimus with Philemon: Philemon 17: So if you consider me a
partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
Ready to repay what Onesimus owed to Philemon:
Philemon 18-19: If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I,
Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me
your very self.
Forgiving: Although Mark had deserted during the first missionary journey, and he didn’t
want to take him on the second missionary journey, later he was ready to take Mark as he
was useful in ministry.
Acts 15:37-39: Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not
think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not
continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted
company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus
2 Timothy 4:11: Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my
ministry.
5.Experiences:
God uses the negative and positive experiences we had undergone for fulfilling His purpose
in our life.
Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose
Experience of Paul:
1.Was a Jew born at Tarsus which was specialised for learning:
Acts 22:3: Then Paul said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this
city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was
just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
Philippians 3:5-6: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal,
persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
As Paul was a Jew, he could gain the attention of Jews.
Acts 21:39-22:2: Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary
city. Please let me speak to the people.” After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul
stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in
Aramaic: “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they heard him speak to
them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.
As he was born in Tarsus, he was learned.
2.Free Roman citizen:
As he was born in Tarsus, Paul was a free Roman citizen by birth.
Acts 22:28: Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.” “But
I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.
Being a Roman citizen,

● He could appeal for large trial before someone can punish
● He couldn’t be tortured
● He couldn’t have death penalty unless he was guilty of treason.
● He could travel to any part of the world as Rome ruled the entire world.
God prepared Paul to be a Roman citizen even before his birth and it was helpful in
preaching to a wide range of places/audience/elite groups (highly educated and
learned). Because Paul was arrested, he could talk to officials, governors, kings and even
Caesar.
Acts 25:12-14: After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have
appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!” A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice
arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days
there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom
Felix left as a prisoner.
Paul couldn’t have imagined to talk to governors, king and Caesar without his Roman
citizenship - this was the plan of God. In certain places he got beatings without revealing his
citizenship(Acts 16). In certain places he revealed his citizenship before being beaten.
Acts 22:25,29: As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing
there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”
Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself
was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.
Governor Festus discussed this case with King Agrippa and he wanted to hear from him.
Because of the enquiry with King Agrippa, all who were gathered knew Jesus that day. This
was God’s plan.
Acts 25:13,14: A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay
their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed
Paul’s case with the king.
Acts 25:22,23: Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He
replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great
pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the
prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
All those who heard Paul understood that he was not guilty of even being in prison. Paul
would have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar. But because Paul had appealed
to Caesar, he could preach the gospel in Rome also. Paul was determined to go to Rome
and testify before Caesar and was ready to even face death.
Acts 26:31,32: After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not
doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” Agrippa said to Festus, “This man
could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
God even had a plan for the soldiers and officials who Paul met on the way to Rome
and in Rome. All this was possible because he was a Roman citizen.
Paul was handed over to the captain of imperial regiment who are an elite group of
soldiers. The incidents on the way to Rome would have had an impact on them as well.
Acts 27:1: When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners
were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.

Praetorian guards were guarding Paul during the 2 years of house arrest. They were an elite
unit of Roman army who were personal body guards for high profile people.
Acts 28:16,30,31:When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier
to guard him.For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and
welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught
about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
When Paul was in house arrest, he had spread the gospel to many high profile
people(Caesar’s household) who belonged to the imperial civil service.
● People administrating Caesar’s government
● Palace officials
● Secretaries
● People those who were incharge of imperial revenues
● People those who were incharge of day-to-day administration of the Roman empire
Philippians 4:22: All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to
Caesar’s household.
Paul was able to travel farther West from Rome to Spain and even to Britain. All this
was possible because he was a Roman citizen.
God saw all these events even before the birth of Paul and none of the events was on the
spot event. God had originated, ordained and orchestrated everything according to his plan.
God has protected him all along and thereby the prophecy to Ananias was fulfilled.
show him how much he must suffer for my name.
God also fulfilled what He spoke to Paul.
3.Learnt Greek philosophy, culture and language:
As he was born in Tarsus(known for learning and schools), he was learned in Greek
philosophy, culture and language.
This was helpful in debating with the philosophers.
Acts 17:18:A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him.
Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to
be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news
about Jesus and the resurrection.
4.Studied under Gamaliel:
At age 14, studied under Gamaliel. He was learned in Scriptures and it was useful for Paul
to prove to the Jews that Jesus is Messiah.

Acts 22:3: Then Paul said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I
studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just
as zealous for God as any of you are today.
5.Very zealous:
Galatians 1:14: I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people
and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Philippians 3:5,6: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting
the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
● Right from his childhood, seeds were sown in his heart and he learnt Torah by
heart.
○ Festivals like Feast of tabernacles to remember wilderness events, and
festivals like Hanukkah to remind how Judas Maccabees stood against King
Antiochus Epiphanes who desecrated the temple. This festival reminded Paul
on how to stand against someone when they stand against the Jewish
culture.
○ Paul also knew how people strayed away from God and were
destroyed/failure/ problems. God had separated Israelites using
ceremonial(clean) laws and moral and social laws, circumcision to
differentiate them and others. He must have thought that such persecution
needed to turn Israelites back to God
○ His father was a Pharisee and his family had a mentality that Torah is
important, separated from Gentiles, when things done against Jewish
customs need to stand against.They would have spoken at home and Paul
would have known.
● He would have read the Scriptures:
○ Phinehas zeal for God to kill Moabite woman and Israelite man and God’s
covenant: Numbers 25:10-13. Psalm 106:29-31
○ Elijah: 1 Kings 18:25-40. After winning, he killed 400 prophets of Baal
○ 200 years before birth of Paul, Antiochus Epiphanes(divine manifestation)
king of Syria wanted to get rid of monotheism and so used military force and
came to the temple and kept idols, sacrificed to idols, desecrated temple.
Judas Maccabees who was a priest and his brothers collected people, won
and for next 100 years established independent nation of Israel. He
rededicated temple. Paul would have read and acquired zeal to protect
individuality of Israel.
● Paul came to Jerusalem to learn. Although he was learning under Gamaliel(who had
the principle of live and let live), his principle was that if God’s kingdom need to be
established on earth then people need to be zealous for God and His word,
need to pray, and get ready for action and follow violence.
● Jews value Torah, temple and monotheism. Because Stephen followed Jesus(whom
Jews misunderstood of desecrating God and temple), Paul consented to Stephen's
death.
Paul exhibited the same zeal and passion even after he accepted Christ and he
pressed on for the sake of Christ and His gospel.
6.Pharisee:

Acts 26:4,5:The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from
the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for
a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our
religion, living as a Pharisee.
Philippians 3:5,6: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting
the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
Galatians 1:13,14: For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely
I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond
many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of
my fathers.
7.Encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus:
● While people are travelling, they usually meditate and pray on their way. Paul might
have done the same thing. When he might have looked at God, Jesus would have
appeared to him. He might have understood that he was wrong about his
opinion on Christ and also the way he understood Old Testament scriptures.
He hadn’t understood the heart of God and the word of God clearly and so he
had headed towards the wrong direction till then. But now he had the right
understanding. At this point he understood that the meeting point was not the
temple but it was a foreshadow of Christ. Paul understood that only through
Christ we can reach God. Paul saw the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ: 2
Corinthians 4:6: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light
shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in
the face of Christ. Because of this experience he understood that Jesus is Messiah
and that this is the work of God to fulfil His promises in the Scriptures and His plan.
So he started following Christ thereafter till the end of his life and was ready to
even give his life for Christ. This is why he could write 13 epistles in the New
Testament and preach the gospel to the nations of the world, established churches
and brought many souls to Christ.
8.Time spent in Arabia:
He spent 3 years in Arabia analyzing the Scriptures to see Christ revealed in the Old
Testament. This helped him to be used by God to write 13 epistles(almost half of the New
Testament)
Galatians 1:17,18: I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I
was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed
with him fifteen days.
9.Persecutor and so humble and understanding when people persecuted him.
Acts 8:1-3:And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke
out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout
Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul
began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men
and women and put them in prison.
Philippians 3:6:as for zeal, persecuting the church;

Paul endured persecutions
2 Corinthians 4:7-10: But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this
all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but
not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but
not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life
of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given
over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28: Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I
am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more
severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews
the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with
stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have
been constantly on the move. I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger
from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles;
in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false
believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger
and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything
else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Conclusion:
From the above aspects and incidents, we could see how God had planned, purposed and
orchestrated events in the life of Paul. He had given spiritual gifts to Paul, planted passion in
his heart, given him apt abilities and personalities and moulded him through his life’s
experiences. Thereby God’s commission in life was fulfilled.
show him how much he must suffer for my name.
the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
God orchestrated the events in such a way that the gospel who spread in Jerusalem, Judea,
Samaria and to the ends of the world, even to Spain and Britain(Acts1:8). This was possible
because God willed it and Paul did it.
The God who called us is faithful and can fulfil His plans and purpose in our life too.
The question is: Are we ready to be a part of this plan and be used by God?
Psalm 138:8: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me

S.H.A.P.E of Paul.pdf

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