The Holy Bible Verses

50 Bible Verses About Paul

Explore the transformation of Paul from persecutor to apostle, his writings, and his relentless pursuit of God's purpose in Philippians 3:14.

By The Editorial Team

Verses sourced from the World English Bible (public domain). Selection follows our editorial policy. Last reviewed 2026-04-23. See all sources.

Paul, formerly a persecutor of Christians, experienced a profound transformation on the road to Damascus, becoming a devoted apostle of Christ. His letters, including Philippians, reflect his relentless pursuit of God's purpose, as he emphasizes pressing toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly calling in Philippians 3:14.

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 3:14 WEB

Paul’s life is a testament to transformation and purpose. Known initially as Saul, he consented to the death of Stephen, a devout follower of Christ, as noted in Acts 8:1. This marked the beginning of a great persecution against the early Christians. Saul’s zeal for his beliefs led him to pursue and persecute the followers of Jesus. Yet, this same passion, once directed against Christians, became the driving force for spreading the Gospel after his conversion. God chose Saul as His instrument, as highlighted in Acts 9:15, to carry His name to the nations, kings, and the children of Israel.

Paul’s journey from persecutor to apostle illustrates the power of God’s calling. His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was a pivotal moment. Ananias, sent by the Lord, restored Saul’s sight and filled him with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). This transformation propelled Paul toward his mission, which he embraced with determination. He pressed on, as he later expressed in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” This verse encapsulates Paul’s unwavering commitment to his faith and purpose, inspiring us to pursue our own spiritual journeys.

50 verses

  1. 1

    “Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;”

  2. 2

    “Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.”

  3. 3

    “Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.”

  4. 4

    “But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.”

  5. 5

    “Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.””

  6. 6

    “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.”

  7. 8

    “Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.”

  8. 9

    “who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.”

  9. 10

    “But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,”

  10. 11

    “Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.””

  11. 12

    “Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.”

  12. 13

    “Following Paul and us, she cried out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation!””

  13. 14

    “Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,”

  14. 15

    “But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.”

  15. 17

    “Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.” and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.”

  16. 18

    “Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.”

  17. 19

    “While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples.”

  18. 21

    “Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.””

  19. 22

    “After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.”

  20. 23

    “For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.”

  21. 24

    “Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.””

  22. 25

    “One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus,”

  23. 26

    “After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,”

  24. 27

    “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God,”

  25. 28

    “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,”

  26. 29

    “Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.””

  27. 30

    “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?”

  28. 31

    “For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you fleshly?”

  29. 32

    “Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?”

  30. 33

    “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren’t you my work in the Lord?”

  31. 34

    “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:”

  32. 35

    “Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.”

  33. 36

    “Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),”

  34. 37

    “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:”

  35. 38

    “For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,”

  36. 39

    “Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers or, superintendents, or bishops and servantsOr, deacons:”

  37. 40

    “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

  38. 41

    “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,”

  39. 42

    “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus ChristNU reads Christ Jesus and omits the Lord. our hope;”

  40. 43

    “to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

  41. 44

    “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,”

  42. 45

    “For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”

  43. 46

    “persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all.”

  44. 47

    “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”

  45. 48

    “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,”

  46. 49

    “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,”

  47. 50

    “yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.”

For your week

Reflect

Paul's transformation shows that no past can hinder God's plans. Reflect on how God can use your life for His purposes, just as He did with Paul.

Pray

Heavenly Father, guide me to embrace Your purpose for my life. Fill me with Your Spirit as You did with Paul. Use my life for Your glory. Amen.

Apply

This week, reflect on your goals and align them with God's calling. Write down one action you can take to pursue a deeper relationship with Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Paul?

Paul, originally named Saul, was a fervent Jewish Pharisee who initially persecuted Christians. Acts 9 recounts his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, where he encountered Jesus. After this, he became one of the most influential apostles, spreading the Gospel across the Roman Empire. His missionary journeys and letters to early churches form a significant portion of the New Testament. Paul’s life exemplifies transformation and dedication to the Christian faith.

Why did Paul persecute Christians?

Paul, as Saul, was a devout Pharisee who believed the early Christian movement threatened Jewish law and tradition. Acts 8:1 shows Saul's approval of Stephen's martyrdom, reflecting his commitment to upholding Jewish teachings. His actions were driven by zeal for his faith. However, after his encounter with Christ (Acts 9:4-5), his perspective changed dramatically, and he became a devoted follower of Jesus, spreading the message he once tried to suppress.

What did Paul write?

Paul authored several New Testament epistles, addressing early Christian communities and leaders. His letters include Romans, Corinthians (1 and 2), Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians (1 and 2), Timothy (1 and 2), Titus, and Philemon. These writings cover theology, ethics, and practical church matters. Philippians 3:14 reflects his encouragement to strive for spiritual maturity. Paul's epistles remain foundational for Christian doctrine and practice today.

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