Counting it all rubbish for the sake of knowing Him
Paul the Apostle: A Transformative Journey of Faith, Mission & Knowing God
Paul, known in his earliest years as Saul of Tarsus, was a man of outstanding education and cultural exposure, making him uniquely equipped for the influential role he would later play in early Christianity, even if he didn’t know it originally. As a Jewish scholar from Tarsus, Saul’s upbringing combined the attention of Jewish traditions with the rich cultural influences of the Greco-Roman world in which he lived.
Early Life, Education and Call
Born into a devout Jewish family, Saul learned the trade of tent-making in his youth—a skill he would later use to support his ministry (Acts 18:3). He was fluent in Aramaic, Greek, and Hebrew, the languages that bridged his Jewish heritage and the broader Mediterranean world of the time.
Saul studied Jewish law in Jerusalem under the esteemed teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), and his dedication saw him rise quickly within Jewish circles. According to Galatians 1:14, Saul was “advancing in Judaism beyond many of his own age.” He zealously followed the traditions of his ancestors, becoming a Pharisee like his father (Acts 23:6). Saul could trace his lineage back to the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5), known historically for being fighters of their faith, and he displayed this combative spirit in his relentless persecution of Christians.
Saul’s fervour for Jewish law led him to vehemently oppose the early Christian church, which he viewed as a threat to traditional worship as he had been taught. His role in persecuting Christians escalated following the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:57–8:3). With the high priest’s authority, Saul sought to arrest many followers of Jesus, not only in Jerusalem but in other cities as well. His zealous actions earned him a fearsome reputation among the early believers (Acts 26:10–11).
But, everything changed for Saul on the road to Damascus. There, he experienced a direct encounter with Jesus Christ. There, the risen Lord spoke to him, leaving Saul in no doubt that Jesus was alive and truly the Son of God. This dramatic moment marked the beginning of a profound transformation that went on to influence the gentile world. Saul’s priorities shifted entirely, and he soon began to proclaim the very message he once sought to destroy. “Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ,” Paul later reflected (Philippians 3:7).
Following his conversion, Saul spent time in Arabia and his hometown of Tarsus before beginning his public ministry (Galatians 1:16–19). These years were a period of spiritual growth and preparation for the missionary work that lay ahead. Saul, now known as Paul, embraced his calling to be an apostle to the Gentiles, as affirmed by Jesus himself (Acts 9:15). Paul even affirms that he was taught by the risen saviour personally (Galatians 1:11-12).
Paul’s cultural and educational background made him uniquely qualified for his mission; a qualification that only God could see through the zealousness and possible error that he held as Saul. He understood both Jewish and Greek cultures, spoke their languages fluently, and was familiar with Roman law as a citizen of Rome (Acts 16:37; 22:28). These attributes allowed him to connect with diverse audiences and navigate the challenges of spreading the gospel throughout the Mediterranean world.
Over the next two decades, Paul embarked on a series of missionary journeys, establishing and strengthening churches throughout regions such as Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia. His first journey, undertaken with Barnabas (Acts 13–14), began after the Holy Spirit directed the Antioch church to send them out (Acts 13:2). Paul’s work was tireless and transformative, bridging divides between Jews and Gentiles and fostering unity within the growing Christian community.
Lessons from Paul’s Life
Paul’s story is a powerful testament to God’s ability to transform lives and use individuals for His unique purposes. Paul’s qualifications as a missionary included not only his linguistic and cultural knowledge but also his humility, perseverance, and deep love for people. He famously described himself as a “servant to all” (1 Corinthians 9:19), dedicated to sharing the message of Christ. This is a huge transformation from Saul the persecutor of the church.
Paul’s enduring legacy is a reminder that spiritual growth takes time and it’s found in the sight of God. Even apostles are shaped through seasons of preparation and challenges. His life inspires believers to trust in God’s calling and faithfully serve, regardless of their background or past, whatever they may have done or beliefs that one once held.
Conclusion
Paul’s journey from a zealous persecutor to a devoted apostle underscores the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ. His ministry laid the foundation for the spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire and continues to inspire believers worldwide. Above all, Paul’s life reflects his supreme goal: to know God. He declared in Philippians 3:8 (Amplified Bible), “I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ.” This singular focus on knowing Christ defined Paul’s life and ministry. Above all else, we too must be consumed by the vision of knowing God personally which is the essence of eternal life (John 17:3).
Paul encouraged all mature believers to adopt the same mindset that he had, as he wrote in Philippians 3:15, “Let all of us who are mature pursue this same goal.” His example reminds us that spiritual maturity involves valuing Christ above all else, setting aside worldly gains, and striving continually to deepen our relationship with Him. A relationship which transcends this world and our own motivations, and is truly found when we abandon ourselves to Christ’s purpose for our lives.
Through Paul’s life, we see that no one is beyond the reach of grace and that the ultimate purpose of life is to pursue Christ wholeheartedly. Paul’s unwavering focus calls us to embrace this mindset, counting everything else as secondary to the incomparable joy of knowing and following Jesus. In that way, we ourselves can cry out, “above all else, Jesus, give us yourself”.
With thanks and acknowledgment to the faculty of the School for Ministry Development, Global University. This blog is part of the learning requirement for the course; New Testament Survey.
© 2024 NorthSaint: Darren Roy
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