This article was originally published on September 2, 2020 at blog.yanceyarrington.com and posted here by permission. You can read the original article here.
Let’s make this short and sweet. God didn’t change the apostle’s name from Saul to Paul when the man from Tarsus became a Christian. That’s a myth far too many Christians believe and, more unfortunately, far too many pastors have taught Christians to believe. The truth is Saul and Paul were both the apostle’s names well before his conversion to Christianity on the Damascus road.
Like Jews living in the Roman empire, Paul had two names. His Hebrew name was Saul. His Roman name (a Latinized version of Saul) was Paul. Paul likely deferred to his Roman name (e.g., in his letters) because he primarily ministered to the Roman world which included both Gentiles and Hellenistic Jews.1 He was just being a good missionary. If a Jewish name might be a potential hangup for some of his audience, then he would merely refer to himself by his other name.2It was as simple as that.
In his commentary on Acts 13 concerning the Saul/Paul element, Dr. John B. Polhill, professor of New Testament at Southern Seminary, writes:
In v. 9 Luke identified Saul by his Roman name, “who was also called Paul.” From this point on in Acts, the name Paul appears, whereas before it had been “Saul.” The only exceptions hereafter are Paul’s recounting his conversion experience when he repeated the call of Jesus to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Why did Luke change the designation at this point?…Paul was now entering Greco-Roman territory as he worked on Cyprus, no longer working primarily among Palestinian Jews. He almost certainly had both names. Paul was his Roman cognomen, and every Roman citizen had such a name. It would be the name natural to every Greek and Roman who crossed his path. Paul also had a Hebrew name, called a signum, an additional name used within his own community. It was Saul, the same name as the ancient Jewish king who was also a Benjamite. This signum “Saul” was surely that used of him in Jewish circles. Luke’s switch at this point is thus natural and quite observant of the situation. Moving into Greco-Roman territory, Paul would be the name primarily used to address him.3
Polhill clearly doesn’t say God changed Paul’s name. Why? Because Paul already was his name! Indeed, the professor points out that the author Luke is the one who changes the designation in the Acts narrative and subsequently offers the likely reason why. That’s it. The issue is fairly straightforward.
Sorry to ruin all those “New Life, New Name” sermons that get preached to unsuspecting congregations, but to say that Saul changed his name to Paul because of his coming to Jesus is attempting to fit a square peg in a round hole. It’s doesn’t work. It’s inaccurate. It’s also sloppy with the text and, frankly, a lesson in either shoddy preparation oreisegesis, both of which pastors do well to avoid.
- Greek-speaking Jews of the Diaspora born outside Judea. Contrast them with native born Palestinian Jews who spoke Aramaic. Acts 6:1-7 highlights a tension between the two groups.
- Scholar E. Randolph Richards points out that the wordsaulostranslates into a pejorative term in Greek and thus, offers one more reason why the apostle might have chosen Paul over Saul in Greek or Roman settings. See Richards’First-Century Letter Writing: Secretaries, Composition and Collection, pp. 128-129. Richards also notes on p. 128, “Paul did not change his name from Saul to Paul when he began working with Gentiles. Rather, he stopped using Saul, his first name, and began using his surname when he moved into the Gentile world.” Hat tip to my friend Matt Davis for sharing this reference with me.
- Polhill,Acts: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture(The New American Commentary), pp. 295–296.
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Dr. Arrington is the Teaching Pastor at Clear Creek Community Church. He holds a BA in Religion from Baylor University, Masters of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry from Covenant Seminary. He and his wife, Jennefer, have three sons. He is the author of 'Preaching that Moves People' and 'Tap: Defeating the Sins that Defeat You.'
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I'm an enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of biblical and historical contexts, particularly regarding the apostle Paul's name change from Saul. My expertise extends to ancient Jewish naming practices, Greco-Roman cultural influences, and the historical background of Paul's ministry. I can substantiate my knowledge by referencing authoritative scholars and their works, such as Dr. John B. Polhill, a prominent New Testament professor at Southern Seminary.
The article in question dispels the common misconception that God changed Saul's name to Paul upon his conversion to Christianity. Drawing on my expertise, I can affirm that both "Saul" and "Paul" were names the apostle possessed even before embracing Christianity. The dual nomenclature was a common practice among Jews in the Roman Empire, where individuals had both a Hebrew name (in this case, Saul) and a Roman name (Latinized version, Paul).
Polhill's commentary on Acts 13 emphasizes the natural transition from using the Hebrew name in predominantly Jewish settings to the Roman name when ministering in Greco-Roman territories. The switch in designation, as noted by Luke in the Acts narrative, reflects Paul's adaptability as a missionary rather than a divine mandate to change his name.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that God played a role in renaming Saul to Paul. Polhill's insights underscore that the adjustment was a practical choice made by Paul himself, aligning with his mission to the broader Roman world, where the name "Paul" would be more familiar and relatable.
Additionally, E. Randolph Richards, a scholar mentioned in the article, sheds light on the linguistic aspect, suggesting that the term "Saul" could have negative connotations in Greek. This provides another plausible reason for Paul's preference for his Roman surname when engaging with Gentiles.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge, supported by scholarly perspectives like Polhill's and Richards', dismantles the myth of a divine name change for the apostle Paul. The article serves as a valuable resource in clarifying this misconception and encourages a more accurate understanding of historical and cultural nuances in biblical interpretation.
