Paul, Name of: Why do you call Rav Shaul the Apostle Paul?
Paul, or Paulos (Paulo), as it appears in the Greek, is the name that the Apostle most frequently calls himself in his letters. Shaul (lWav) or Saul was the original name given to this Jew who was born in the city of Tarsus. Like many Jews of the First Century, he was given two names: one Hebrew or Aramaic, and then another Greek or Latin. This is plainly attested by Acts 13:9 which speaks of Saul, who was also known as Paul (NASU). It is not incorrect to refer to the Apostle Paul as Shaul, but we refer to him as the Apostle Paul because this is what he calls himself, as the vast majority of his audience was Greek-speaking. There are Messianics, and Messianic Bible translations, which fail to recognize the First Century reality of Shaul or Saul having two names. The first edition of The Scriptures (1993), a Sacred Name Only Bible, states, Who changed the name of Shaul to Paul (Paulus)? We find no evidence in Scripture as to why, when, and by whom this change of his name was instigated.
Paul, or Paulos (Paulo), as it appears in the Greek, is the name that the Apostle most frequently calls himself in his letters. Shaul (lWav) or Saul was the original name given to this Jew who was born in the city of Tarsus. Like many Jews of the First Century, he was given two names: one Hebrew or Aramaic, and then another Greek or Latin. This is plainly attested by Acts 13:9 which speaks of Saul, who was also known as Paul (NASU). It is not incorrect to refer to the Apostle Paul as Shaul, but we refer to him as the Apostle Paul because this is what he calls himself, as the vast majority of his audience was Greek-speaking. There are Messianics, and Messianic Bible translations, which fail to recognize the First Century reality of Shaul or Saul having two names. The first edition of The Scriptures (1993), a Sacred Name Only Bible, states, Who changed the name of Shaul to Paul (Paulus)? We find no evidence in Scripture as to why, when, and by whom this change of his name was instigated.
