COGaIC: Name of Paul

COGaIC’s Peter Nathan wrote:

The New Testament records in Acts 13 that Saul changed his name to Paul. Why did he do this? Many commentators have sought to find the answer in the help that Sergius Paulus, governor of Cyprus, provided to Saul and Barnabas on their first journey there. While it is possible that respect and gratitude inspired Saul to take the governor’s name, it seems unlikely based on a number of other intersecting facts…

This chapter contains the only reference in the New Testament to Israel’s first king, Saul, the son of Kish…

King Saul persecuted David, whom God had anointed to replace him. In a similar way, Saul persecuted the one he later understood to be the true Son of David. By changing his name from Saul to Paul, he distanced himself from the actions and mindset of his namesake.

The choice of the Latin name “Paulus” is instructive as well. The word means “little” or, when referring to a person, “short.” Whether this is a description of Paul’s physical characteristics is not stated, but it has an application to both King Saul and King David. When chosen to be king, Saul was known to stand head and shoulders above his compatriots. But his physical stature was of no consequence to his ability as king. He was only effective in that role when he was “little in [his] own eyes,” or opinion (1 Samuel 15:17). When David was anointed king, his father, Jesse, referred to him as “the youngest” (1 Samuel 16:11). The Hebrew word used here is the same one used earlier to describe Saul’s initial view of himself as “little.”

More on the Apostle Paul can be found in the articles:

The Apostle Paul He was a later apostle, but also an early Christian leader.

Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
Joyce’s Photos of Areopagus Rock In the Book of Acts, Paul made his famous “Men of Athens” speech on Areopagus Rock (called Mars Hill in the KJV).
Joyce’s Photos of Ancient Athens In the Book of Acts, Paul made his famous “Men of Athens” speech. Paul is believed to have visited Athens during his second missionary journey (which was with Silas) around 49-52 A.D.
Joyce’s Photos of Corinth The Apostle Paul not only preached in Corinth for about six months (Acts 18:8-11), he also wrote two letters to the brethren there (1st and 2nd Corinthians).
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.