Character Catalog

The longest and most systematic of Paul's epistles, considered the most complete exposition of his theology. It develops the concepts of justification by faith, grace, and universal salvation open to both Jews and Greeks.

A letter addressed to the troubled community of Corinth, responding to numerous practical and theological questions. It contains the famous hymn to charity (chapter 13) and the earliest written account of the Eucharistic Last Supper.

A passionate letter defending Christian freedom against those who imposed circumcision on converts. It forcefully asserts that faith in Christ abolishes distinctions between Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and free people.

The oldest surviving letter of Paul and probably the earliest text in the New Testament. It reassures the community of Thessalonica about the fate of Christians who had died before the return of Christ.

Written from his Roman prison, this letter expresses deep joy and particular affection for the community of Philippi, the first church founded in Europe. It contains a major Christological hymn describing the humiliation and exaltation of Christ.

During his three great journeys across the eastern Mediterranean, Paul traveled more than 15,000 kilometers, founding dozens of Christian communities in Asia Minor, Greece, and the islands. This missionary endeavor stands as the most remarkable concrete achievement of his life.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus.

Three times I have been beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea.

Paul's birthplace, a major intellectual center of the ancient world in Cilicia. It was here that he received a Hellenistic education before being sent to Jerusalem to study under the rabbi Gamaliel.

The site of Paul's dramatic conversion on the road to the city, around 36 AD. He stayed there after his recovery and preached for the first time in the synagogues, to the great astonishment of the Jewish community.

Paul was trained here as a Pharisee and persecuted the early Christians in this city. He returned several times after his conversion to meet Peter and James, and was ultimately arrested during his final visit.

A cosmopolitan port city where Paul spent eighteen months and founded an important Christian community. It was from Corinth that he wrote the Epistle to the Romans, and he addressed two of his longest epistles to its community.

Capital of the Roman province of Asia, where Paul resided for more than two years during his third journey. His preaching there sparked riots orchestrated by craftsmen who sold statuettes of Artemis and feared for their livelihoods.

Paul's ultimate destination, as he dreamed of evangelizing the capital of the Empire. Imprisoned and then put to death under Nero around 66–68 AD, he was beheaded there. The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls marks the traditional site of his tomb.