Week 1 day 1

Paul nor the book of Acts really says much about who Paul was and about his family. Some scholars argue that Paul came from a wealthy family, but there is really very little evidence of that to go by. What we do know is that Paul came from Tarsus and he was in the tent making trade (Acts 18:3).
It has been asked over the years if Paul had any formal education. Hellenistic (Greek) cities like Tarsus had a long tradition of primary education. Boys that were between the ages of 6 and 14, were sent to elementary schools, where they were trained in the basic skills of reading, writing, simple arithmetic, and music. It is apparent with the writings of Paul being in a fluent, educated Greek manner that you would conclude yes he had some formal education. Back then the Greek secondary education was attended only by the rich, which could be further evidence that Paul was from a wealthy family.
Paul grew up in a world ruled by Rome. His native city Tarsus was a free city under Rome, which meant that it had a measure of independence and self-government. When Paul moved to Jerusalem, he lived in a city which was even more directly controlled by the Romans.
Paul’s Jewish pedigree included his membership in the tribe of Benjamin. Only two Jewish tribes survived the exile, Judah and Benjamin, the two tribes of the southern kingdom. The first Jewish king, Saul was a Benjamite, and Paul may have received his Jewish name in memory of him. Paul’s teacher Gamaliel was also a Benjamite. It is interesting that Paul never referred to himself as Saul in any of his letters.
Paul was a Pharisee, who were the religious, political, and social movement within Judaism that emphasized the keeping of the Jewish law; not just in written form, but also in their extensive oral tradition of interpreting it. Paul studied the law, became faultless in keeping it and passionate in his endeavor to protect it from any would be enemies.
Gamaliel was the outstanding teacher of the law in Paul’s day. There were two main schools of interpretation back then. One was Hillel, which headed the more liberal school, which emphasized flexibility and tolerance. Hillelites were more open to Hellenistic (Greek) influence and advocated cooperation with the Roman authorities. Shammai headed the more conservative, stricter school of interpretation. Shammaites were not so open to outside influences. Gamaliel was of the school of Hillel thus, how Paul received is legalistic out view.
Gamaliel is best known to New Testament students for his advice to the Sanhedrin when the apostles were hauled before that body for having preached in the name of Christ (Acts 5:27-27). Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin, which at that time was comprised of a majority which came from the Sadducees and the high priestly families.
Some people including myself have been curious about what Paul looked like but unfortunately there is very little information about what Paul looked like. Occasionally in his letters he referred to some personal characteristic. For instance in 2 Corinthians Paul noted how some had talked about the unimpressiveness of his physical presence and his speech in comparison to the power of his letters (10:10; 11:6). There was a writing that was called The Acts of Paul, which was not a totally accurate writing, but may have preserved some reliable traditions about Paul. The description is: “a man small of stature, with a bald head and crooked legs, in a good stat of body, with eyebrows meeting and nose somewhat hooked, full of friendliness.”
Was Paul married? Was Paul divorced? Was Paul widowed? It has been undetermined for sure as to what Paul’s marital status actually was. In the times of 1 Corinthians he was not married. Some have speculated that Paul was divorced and also that Paul was widowed.
Questions to reflect and to respond to
How has your background and upbringing effected your beliefs in God?
Has your belief system changed as an adult? If so, how?