Σαῦλος

Saul, the apostle

Definition

Σαῦλος is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Saul, referring to two primary individuals in the New Testament. First, it refers to Saul of Tarsus, the zealous Pharisee who persecuted the early church (Acts 8:3, 9:1) before his dramatic conversion and transformation into the Apostle Paul (Acts 13:9). Second, it refers to Saul, the first king of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, who is mentioned by Paul when discussing his own heritage (Romans 11:1, Philippians 3:5). In the New Testament, the name is used exclusively for the apostle until Acts 13:9, after which he is primarily called Paul.

Biblical Usage

The name Σαῦλος is used 17 times, exclusively in the book of Acts (e.g., Acts 7:58, 8:1, 9:1-22). It is used in contexts describing his identity as a persecutor of Christians, his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his early ministry immediately following his conversion. The usage pattern shows a clear transition; after Acts 13:9, when he begins his major missionary journeys, he is consistently referred to as Παῦλος (Paul).

Etymology

Σαῦλος is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name שָׁאוּל (Sha'ul, H7586), meaning 'asked for' or 'prayed for.' It was a common Jewish name, famously borne by the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 9:2). The apostle, being a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5), bore this name from birth, connecting him to the tribe's most famous king.

Semantic Range

The shift from 'Saul' to 'Paul' in Acts 13:9 symbolizes a profound theological transition from a Jewish persecutor operating under the Law to an apostle to the Gentiles operating under grace. His Hebrew name (Saul) connects him to his heritage and his former life of zeal without knowledge (Romans 10:2), while his Roman name (Paul) signifies his new identity and mission to the Gentile world. Understanding this highlights the transformative power of the gospel and God's purpose in redeeming and repurposing a life.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, many Jews had both a Hebrew/Aramaic name and a Greek or Roman name for use in broader society. Saul (Σαῦλος) was his Jewish name, used among fellow Jews. The switch to Paul (Παῦλος), a common Roman cognomen, was culturally strategic for his mission to the Gentile world, reflecting a practical and identity-shifting decision for his apostolic calling.

Παῦλος (Paulos, G3972) — The Greek (Roman) name for the same apostle, used after Acts 13:9 and throughout his epistles.

Word Details

Scripture References