Did God rename Saul as Paul? Overview The question of whether God renamed Saul as Paul often arises when studying the transition in the Book of Acts from calling him “Saul” to “Paul.” Unlike the explicit renaming of Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:5), there is no passage that directly states God changed Saul’s name. Instead, Scripture indicates that Saul was already known as Paul, and the book of Acts simply shifts from one name to the other. Below is a comprehensive exploration of the background, scriptural evidence, and context surrounding this name transition. Saul’s Early Appearances in Scripture Saul first appears at Stephen’s stoning: “Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:58) He later becomes known for his zeal against believers: “Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem…” (Acts 8:1) “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord…” (Acts 9:1) The name “Saul” is Hebrew (Shaul), reflecting his Jewish heritage. He seems to have gained prominence in religious circles due to his education under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) and his fervor in persecuting early followers of Jesus. Encounter with Christ on the Road to Damascus Acts 9 details Saul’s life-changing encounter with the risen Christ. After being blinded, Saul is led to Damascus: “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’” (Acts 9:3–4) Despite the magnitude of this event, the text does not record a new name being given. Instead, Luke continues to call him Saul through this account and even through his initial ministry after his conversion (Acts 9:19–22). Transition to the Name Paul The Book of Acts makes an abrupt but clear note in Acts 13:9: “Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas…” (Acts 13:9) From this moment in Scripture onward, Luke (the author of Acts) almost exclusively refers to Saul by the name “Paul.” The change seems to coincide with Paul’s broadening missionary work among Gentiles. It was common in the first-century Roman world for individuals, especially Jews with Roman citizenship (Acts 22:27–28), to possess both a Hebrew name (Saul) and a Latin/Greek name (Paul, from Paulus in Latin). Scripture simply acknowledges this dual naming. There is no verse that states God directly conferred a new name upon Saul. Rather, “Saul, who was also called Paul” indicates a recognition of the apostle’s Roman name, especially significant in his ministry context. Comparing Other Biblical Name Changes In several Old Testament passages, God explicitly renames an individual to denote a covenantal or identity shift: • Abram renamed Abraham (Genesis 17:5). • Sarai renamed Sarah (Genesis 17:15). • Jacob renamed Israel (Genesis 32:28). In each of these instances, Scripture explicitly states that God pronounced a renaming. That kind of direct renaming formula does not appear in the New Testament regarding Saul/Paul. Thus, it is distinct from the Old Testament patterns of divine name change. Cultural and Historical Context Many Jews in the Roman Empire held both a Hebrew name and a Greco-Roman name. External historical sources, such as the works of the first-century Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews), corroborate that it was routine for diaspora Jews to navigate both Hebrew and Hellenistic societies using dual names. Archaeological findings, such as inscriptions showing Hebrew-Greek double names, further confirm this common practice. Textual critics and manuscript evidence (including ancient codices like Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus) reveal no variant reading that would suggest a direct command from God to rename Saul. Instead, the consistent reading “Saul, who was also called Paul” appears in all major manuscript traditions, reinforcing that the biblical text itself preserves the simple reality of dual naming rather than a divine renaming event. Why the Shift in Acts 13? Acts 13 records Saul’s (Paul’s) pivotal mission to the Gentiles. The name “Paul” was likely more recognizable in Gentile territories, opening doors for evangelism and communication in a Greco-Roman world. Once Luke highlights the name “Paul” in Acts 13:9, he continues using it to emphasize the apostle’s role as the “Apostle to the Gentiles” (see Romans 11:13). The shift in name usage can also be seen as a literary device drawing attention to Paul’s broader commission (Acts 9:15) to carry the gospel “before Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.” Since that commission took a distinct Gentile-centric turn in Acts 13, calling him “Paul” fits the expanded horizon of his ministry. Key Scriptural References • Acts 7:58 – First mention of Saul. • Acts 8:1 – Saul consenting to Stephen’s death. • Acts 9:1–22 – Saul’s encounter with Christ and early preaching. • Acts 13:9 – Identification of Saul as Paul. • Romans 11:13 – Paul refers to himself as an apostle to the Gentiles. • Philippians 3:4–5 – Paul’s Jewish credentials, showing he embraced his heritage and Roman citizenship (Acts 22:27–28). Theological Implications 1. Dual Identity: Paul’s dual names highlight his unique position at the crossroads of Judaism and the Greco-Roman world. 2. Ministry Strategy: Paul’s choice of name when engaging Gentiles underscores his desire to reach diverse peoples without creating unnecessary cultural barriers (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:19–23). 3. No Direct Renaming Formula: Unlike with Abraham or Israel, Scripture does not record a divine proclamation changing Saul’s name. This absence informs a correct interpretation that God did not rename Saul in a formal sense. Conclusion The simple answer, based on Scripture and supported by historical, cultural, and manuscript evidence, is that there is no passage indicating God formally renamed Saul to Paul. Acts 13:9 makes it clear that “Saul, who was also called Paul” signals his already-existing Roman name. From that point in the narrative, the biblical text transitions to calling him Paul, reflecting his expanding mission field among the Gentiles. Thus, the name change in the biblical record is not the result of a divine decree like those in the Old Testament but rather the acknowledgment of a second, fully legitimate name that Saul already possessed. This understanding aligns with the consistent testimony of Scripture, the cultural context of the ancient Roman world, and the weight of manuscript and historical evidence. |
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