Chronology of the Apostle Paul’s Life

From: The Apostle Paul: July 2007 By: Andrew Miller

• 3 min. read • grade level: 9

Approximate

Year A.D.

Conversion of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9).

3639

At Damascus: preaches in the synagogue; goes into Arabia; returns to Damascus; flight from Damascus. His first visit to Jerusalem, three years after his conversion. Thence to Tarsus (Acts 9:23-26²³And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: ²⁴But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. ²⁵Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. ²⁶And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. (Acts 9:23‑26); Gal. 1:18¹⁸Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. (Galatians 1:18)).

3940

Rest of the Jewish churches (Acts 9:31³¹Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. (Acts 9:31)).

4043

Paul preaches the gospel in Syria and Cilicia (Gal. 1:21²¹Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; (Galatians 1:21)). A period of uncertain length. During this time he may have undergone the perils and sufferings which he recounts to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 11). He is brought from Tarsus to Antioch by Barnabas and stays there a year before the famine (Acts 11:26²⁶And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26)).

Paul’s second visit to Jerusalem, with the aid (Acts 11:30³⁰Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:30)).

Paul returns to Antioch (Acts 12:25²⁵And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. (Acts 12:25)).

4649

Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas; goes to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and back through the same places to Antioch. They remain a long time in Antioch. Dissension and disputation about circumcision (Acts 13; 14; 15:12).

Paul’s third visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas, fourteen years after his conversion (Gal. 2:1¹Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. (Galatians 2:1)). They attend the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15). Return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, with Judas and Silas (Acts 15:3235).

Paul’s second missionary journey, with Silas and Timothy. He goes from Antioch to Syria, Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra, Phrygia, Galatia and Troas. Luke joins the apostolic band (Acts 16:10¹⁰And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. (Acts 16:10)).

Entrance of the gospel into Europe (Acts 16:11-13¹¹Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; ¹²And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. ¹³And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. (Acts 16:11‑13)). Paul visits Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Spends a year and six months at Corinth (Acts 18:11¹¹And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:11)). First Epistle to the Thessalonians written. Second Epistle to the Thessalonians written.

Paul leaves Corinth and sails to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19¹⁸And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. ¹⁹And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. (Acts 18:18‑19)).

Paul’s fourth visit to Jerusalem, at the feast. Returns to Antioch.

5456

Paul’s third missionary journey. He departs from Antioch; visits Galatia, Phrygia, and reaches Ephesus, where he stays two years and three months. Here Paul separates the disciples from the Jewish synagogue (Acts 19:8,10⁸And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 19:8)
¹⁰And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:10)). Epistle to the Galatians written.

Spring: First Epistle to the Corinthians written. The tumult at Ephesus; Paul leaves for Macedonia (Acts 19:23; 20:1²³And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. (Acts 19:23)
¹And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Acts 20:1)). Autumn: Second Epistle to the Corinthians written (2 Cor. 1:8, 2:13-14; 7:5; 8:1; 9:1). Paul visits Illyricum; goes to Corinth; winters there (Rom. 15:19¹⁹Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19); 1 Cor. 16:6).

Spring: The Epistle to the Romans written (Rom. 15:25-28; 16:21-23²⁵But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. ²⁶For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. ²⁷It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. ²⁸When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. (Romans 15:25‑28)
²¹Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. ²²I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. ²³Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. (Romans 16:21‑23); Acts 20:4). Paul leaves Corinth; passes through Macedonia; sails from Philippi; preaches at Troas; addresses the Ephesian elders at Miletus; visits Tyre and Cæsarea (Acts 20; 21:1-14).

5860

Paul’s fifth visit to Jerusalem, before Pentecost. He is arrested in the temple; brought before Ananias and the Sanhedrim; sent by Lysias to Cæsarea, where he is kept in bonds two years.

Paul heard by Felix and Festus. He appeals unto Cæsar; preaches before Agrippa, Bernice, and the men of Cæsarea. Autumn: Paul sails for Italy. Winter: Shipwrecked at Malta (Acts 27).

Spring: Arrives at Rome; dwells two years in his own hired house (Acts 28).

Spring: Epistles to Philemon, Colossians and Ephesians written. Autumn: Epistle to the Philippians written.

Spring: Paul acquitted and released. Epistle to the Hebrews written. Paul takes another journey, intending to visit Asia Minor and Greece (Philem. 22; Phil. 2:24²⁴But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. (Philippians 2:24)).

Visits Crete and leaves Titus there; exhorts Timothy to abide at Ephesus. First Epistle to Timothy written. Epistle to Titus written. Intends to winter at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12¹²When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. (Titus 3:12)).

6467

Visits Troas, Corinth and Miletum (2 Tim. 4:13,20). Paul arrested and sent to Rome. Deserted and solitary, having only Luke, of his old associates, with him. Second Epistle to Timothy written, probably not long before his death. These last journeys and events are supposed to cover a period of about three years.

Paul’s martyrdom.

Arranged by A. Miller

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.

The Apostle Paul: July 2007

• Chronology of the Apostle Paul’s Life

• Saul of Tarsus

• That I May Know Him

• Gospel Paul Preached, The

• Five Revelations to Paul

• Apostle Paul, The

• Apostle Paul Arrived in Rome a Prisoner, The

• Lord and Paul in Jerusalem, The

• Paul’s Prison Epistles

• Apostle Paul, The