Sources for Paul’s Life

For an idea of the life and work of the apostle Paul we are dependent on two sources: his own letters and the book of Acts. In addition there are a number of later Apocryphal books in which we find stories about Paul, most of which seem to be made up.

Between AD 50 and 60 Paul wrote a number of letters. The letters which most biblical scholars regard as genuine letters of Paul are: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians and Philemon.
In these letters Paul emerges as a committed preacher of the gospel. He never gives up, despite opposition and danger to his own life (1 Corinthians 4:9-13; 2 Corinthians 11:23-29). And Paul also defends himself strongly against personal attacks by Christians and colleagues from Jerusalem who do not think he is a good apostle.

In the case of a number of letters that are attributed to Paul, for various reasons biblical scholars doubt whether he is the real author. The letters in question are: Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus.
In these letters Paul emerges as an apostle campaigning against all sorts of erroneous theological views. At the same time he tries to bring a firm structure to the congregations, by means of “bishops”, “elders” and “deacons”.

About 30 to 40 years after Paul’s death, the writer of Acts devotes a large part of his book to Paul’s life and work. Biblical scholars have doubts about the historical reliability of his account.
The writer sketches Paul as someone who travels from city to city to preach the gospel. As he does so, Paul always addresses Jews first. It is only when they refuse to convert that he turns to non-Jews. He has good relations with the apostles and the Jewish followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. He also performs a number of miracles.

In a number of later Apocryphal writings, Paul is described as a great man. He performed many miracles and died in Rome as a martyr under Emperor Nero around AD 60.