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by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

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The Traditional (but Inaccurate) Division of Paul's Travels:

People usually talk about "Paul's Three Missionary Journeys" (each beginning and ending in Antioch),
followed by "Paul's Voyage to Rome":

1. Acts 13–14: Journey through Cyprus, Pamphylia, and Pisidia (today's South-Central Turkey).
2. Acts 15:39–18:22: Journey through Macedonia and Achaia (modern Greece) and Asia Minor (Western
Turkey).
3. Acts 18:23–21:16: Another Journey through Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Achaia, ending in Jerusalem.
4. Acts 22–28: After being arrested in Jerusalem and imprisoned in Caesarea, Paul is taken by ship to
Rome.

For some online maps of this traditional understanding of Paul's "three missionary journeys", see the Good News Christian Ministries
or the Maps Related to the Life of Paul by Nancy Carter; see also the larger list of Ancient World Maps by Dr. Mark Goodacre.

Problems with this schema:

Paul is not in charge during the first journey; rather, Barnabas is the leader and Paul is his assistant
(see Acts 9:27; 11:25-30; 13:1-3; 14:12).
After Paul and Barnabas go their separate ways, Paul never travels or works alone but always has a
number of assistants (esp. Timothy; see Acts 15:39-40; 16:1-3; and the beginnings of most of his
letters).
The so-called second and third "journeys" are not really circle-trips departing from and returning to
Antioch (see Acts 18:18-23).
Rather, Paul makes a definite break with Barnabas and the Church at Antioch (see Gal 2:11-14;
Acts 15:39-40).
Then, he spends several years preaching and establishing Christian Churches in Macedonia and
Achaia, esp. in the city of Corinth.
After leaving Corinth, he makes the city of Ephesus, in Asia Minor, his main base of missionary
operations for several more years.
If Paul ever returned to Antioch, it was probably only for a brief visit (see Acts 18:22-23); he is no
longer commissioned by the community there.

A More Accurate and More Comprehensive Overview: Five Main Phases of Paul's Life
The following chronology is based on a combination of evidence from Paul's own letters and from the Acts of
the Apostles, since neither gives us a complete picture, and there are some points of tension between them.
(See the maps in the back of any good Study Bible; see also my New Testament Geography webpage for more background on the
Roman PROVINCES and their Capital Cities).

0) Pre-Christian Phase (ca. AD 10–35)

A. Paul was a Jew who was born in Tarsus, the capital of CILICIA (Acts 9:11, 30; 11:25; 21:39), but
possibly also lived and received part of his education in Jerusalem, "at the feet of Gamaliel" (Acts
22:3).

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B. He was a Hebrew, born of Hebrew parents (Phil 3:5; 2 Cor 11:22), but probably also a Roman
citizen (Acts 22:25-29; 23:27).
C. Thus, he was bi-lingual (Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek) and bi-cultural (Jewish and
Hellenistic/Greek), making him an ideal "transition figure" for the spread of early Christianity
from its beginnings in Palestine to the rest of the Roman empire.
D. He was originally named "Saul" (Acts 7:58–13:9; 22:7; 26:14) but later (as a Christian) changed his
name to "Paul" (Acts 13:9ff and in all the Epistles).
E. Raised as a Pharisee, he was very zealous for the Torah & Jewish Traditions (Phil 3:5; Acts 23:6-9;
26:5).
F. He begins persecuting the followers of Jesus, because he considers belief in Jesus as Messiah to
be incompatible with Judaism (Gal 1:13-14; Phil 3:5-6; 1 Cor 15:9; Acts 7:58; 8:1; 9:1-2; 22:3-5; 26:4-12).

1) First Phase of Paul's New Christian Life: in the EAST (ca. AD 35–49)

A. Jesus "reveals" himself to Paul (traditionally called Paul's "conversion") while Paul is traveling on
the road to Damascus in southern SYRIA (Gal 1:11-12, 15-16; 1 Cor 15:8-10; Acts 9:3-30; 22:6-21;
26:12-18 - for these texts, see below).
B. Paul begins preaching around Arabia, Damascus, Syria, and Cilicia, despite some opposition (Gal
1:17-24; 2 Cor 11:23-33).
C. Barnabas takes an interest in Paul, guides and protects him, and introduces him to other
Christians (Acts 9:26-30; 11:25-30; 12:25).
D. Commissioned by the church of Antioch, in Northern SYRIA, Barnabas and Paul go on their
first missionary journey to Cyprus, Pamphylia, and Phrygia (Acts 13–14); Barnabas is clearly the
leader, with Paul as his assistant (see esp. Acts 14:12, in which Barnabas is called "Zeus," the king of the
Greek gods, while Paul is called "Hermes," the Greek messenger god).
E. Barnabas and Paul participate in the "Council of Jerusalem" (ca. AD 49; Gal 2:1-10; Acts 15 - note that
many scholars think this council was slightly later, ca. AD 51).

2) Early Independent Missionary Phase: in MACEDONIA & ACHAIA (ca. AD 50–52)

A. Paul breaks with Barnabas due to the "Incident at Antioch" (contrast Gal 2:11-14 with Acts 15:36-41).
B. Paul travels with Silas & Timothy through ASIA and crosses over to MACEDONIA, where they
establish small Christian churches, esp. in Philippi & Thessalonica, possibly also in Beroea
(Acts 16:1–17:15).
C. After getting kicked out of one Macedonian city after another, the three missionaries go down to
ACHAIA; Paul alone briefly visits Athens, but his preaching is not very successful there (Acts
17:16-34).
D. They move on to Corinth, the capital of ACHAIA, where they stay for over 18 months (Acts
18:11, 18); they meet Prisca & Aquila in Corinth soon after Emperor Claudius had expelled Jews
from Rome in AD 49 (Acts 18:2).
E. Paul is brought to trial before the Proconsul Gallio (Acts 18:12-17), who was in Achaia only in AD
51–52; this fact gives us the only fixed date in the chronology of Paul's life, from which all other
dates are calculated backward or forward.
F. From Corinth, Paul & his companions write 1 Thess, and probably also 2 Thess (see 1 Thess 3:1-6).

3) Mature Missionary Leadership Phase: in ASIA (Minor) (ca. AD 53–57)

A. Paul travels through Asia, then to Syria (including brief visits to Jerusalem and Antioch), and
back again to Ephesus, the capital of ASIA (Acts 18:18–19:41).
B. He remains in Ephesus for at least 27 months, probably longer, preaching and strengthening the
churches (Acts 19:8, 10, 22); Ephesus becomes his "missionary headquarters" with more and more

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associates over time.

C. Paul travels personally and sends & receives messengers and letters back and forth from Ephesus
to Macedonia, Corinth, various parts of Asia Minor, and possibly other regions (1 Cor 16:5-12; 2 Cor
8-9; Phil 2:19-30; 4:10-20).
D. He and his associates found other Christian communities in and around Asia Minor, e.g.,
Epaphras establishes a church in Colossae (Col 1:7).
E. Paul encounters opposition from Jews and Gentiles, and is blamed for a riot caused by some
silversmiths in Ephesus, since he preached against the "idolatry" of worshipping pagan gods (see
Acts 19:26); he probably spends some time in prison in Ephesus.
F. From Ephesus, Paul & his companions write 1 Cor, 2 Cor, Phil, Phlm, and probably Gal (see 1
Cor 15:32; 16:8; 16:19).

4) Final Missionary Travel Phase: to the WEST (ca. AD 58–62/64)

A. Paul wants to go West to Rome and Spain, but first to collect & deliver money for poor
Christians in Jerusalem (1 Cor 16:1-4; Rom 15:22-32; Acts 19:21); he stays in Corinth three more
months (Acts 20:3), and writes Rom from there (Rom 16).
B. Paul and some associates deliver this collection to Jerusalem; soon he is arrested in the Temple
(Acts 20–21).
C. Paul is held under arrest for about two years in Caesarea; at his trial he appeals to Caesar and
is taken to Rome, where he remains under house-arrest for another two years (Acts 22–28);
possibly writes Col from prison in Caesarea (or later from Rome).
D. We cannot be sure what happened next, since nothing else is written in Acts: either he was tried,
found innocent and released, in which case he might have gone to preach in Spain, as he had
planned; or he was tried, found guilty, and executed.
E. Early Christian tradition agrees Paul was executed during the reign of Emperor Nero; but we
cannot be sure whether it was at the end of his first Roman imprisonment (AD 62), or after his
return from Spain (AD 64), since his death is not recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.

X) After Paul's Death: his legacy continues (AD 60's - 90's and beyond)

A. Paul's associates continue to preach, gain new converts, build up Christian communities,
address problems, write letters, etc.
B. 1 Tim, 2 Tim, Tit, and Eph are probably pseudepigraphic (i.e., letters written in his name
by his followers after his death).
C. Ephesus and Colossae remain strong centers of Pauline-style Christianity, possibly led by
Timothy and Onesimus, respectively.
D. Someone begins collecting (and editing) Paul's letters (cf. 2 Pet 3:15-16); by the end of the
first century, about 10 letters are circulating together (not yet including 1 Tim, 2 Tim, or Tit), with
Ephesians possibly functioning as an introduction or "cover letter."
E. Eventually, thirteen letters attributed to Paul are recognized as "canonical" (i.e., accepted as
part of the NT; in some phases of Christian history, the "Letter to the Hebrews" was also thought to be written
by Paul, although most scholars and church leaders today agree that it is not Pauline).
F. Other legends about Paul develop and are recorded in non-canonical works (e.g., the "Acts of
Paul" and the "Acts of Paul and Thecla").

Compare this chronology also with that of Pheme Perkins (Reading the NT, 139) or William Baird's article on "Paul" (HCBD,
814-22).

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[better described as the "Revelation" of Jesus to Paul]

In Paul's Own Words:

"For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human
origin; / for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a
revelation of Jesus Christ. / You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently
persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. / I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my
people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. / But when God, who
had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased / to reveal his Son to me,
so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, / nor did I go up to
Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards
I returned to Damascus. / Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him
fifteen days; / but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother." (Gal 1:11-19)

"Last of all, as to one untimely born, he [Jesus] appeared also to me. / For I am the least of the apostles,
unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. / But by the grace of God I am what I
am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of
them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." (1 Cor 15:8-10)

"This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— / for surely you
have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, / and how the mystery was
made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words." (Eph 3:1-3, probably deutero-Pauline)

"It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. /
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or
out of the body I do not know; God knows. / And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of
the body I do not know; God knows— / was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told,
that no mortal is permitted to repeat." (2 Cor 12:1-4, probably referring to himself, but maybe to a different later
"revelation")

The Three Accounts in Acts:

Acts 22:6-21 Acts 26:12-18

Acts 9:3-30
Paul's Speech to the Jews in Paul's Defense before King
Luke's Initial Narrative Account
Jerusalem Agrippa
1 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and 4 "All the Jews know my way of life
3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia,
murder against the disciples of the Lord, went from my youth, a life spent from the
but brought up in this city at the feet of
to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to beginning among my own people and
Gamaliel, educated strictly according to
the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found our ancestral law, being zealous for in Jerusalem. 5 They have known for
any who belonged to the Way, men or women, God, just as all of you are today. 4 I a long time, if they are willing to
he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. persecuted this Way up to the point of testify, that I have belonged to the
death by binding both men and women strictest sect of our religion and lived
3 Now as he was going along and as a Pharisee...
and putting them in prison, 5 as the high
approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from priest and the whole council of elders 9 Indeed, I myself was convinced that
heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the can testify about me. From them I also I ought to do many things against the
ground and heard a voice saying to him, received letters to the brothers in name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And
"Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 He Damascus, and I went there in order to that is what I did in Jerusalem; with
asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, bind those who were there and to bring authority received from the chief
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 them back to Jerusalem for punishment. priests, I not only locked up many of
But get up and enter the city, and you will be the saints in prison, but I also cast my
told what you are to do." 7 The men who were 6 While I was on my way and vote against them when they were
traveling with him stood speechless because approaching Damascus, about noon a being condemned to death. 11 By
they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul great light from heaven suddenly shone punishing them often in all the

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got up from the ground, and though his eyes about me. 7 I fell to the ground and synagogues I tried to force them to
were open, he could see nothing; so they led heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, blaspheme; and since I was so
him by the hand and brought him into Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 8 I furiously enraged at them, I pursued
Damascus. answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then them even to foreign cities.
he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth
9 For three days he was without sight, and whom you are persecuting.' 9 Now 12 With this in mind, I was traveling
neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a those who were with me saw the light to Damascus with the authority and
disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord but did not hear the voice of the one commission of the chief priests, 13
said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He who was speaking to me. 10 I asked, when at midday along the road, your
answered, "Here I am, Lord." 11 The Lord said 'What am I to do, Lord?' The Lord said Excellency, I saw a light from
to him, "Get up and go to the street called to me, 'Get up and go to Damascus; heaven, brighter than the sun,
Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a there you will be told everything that shining around me and my
man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is has been assigned to you to do.' 11 companions. 14 When we had all
praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man Since I could not see because of the fallen to the ground, I heard a voice
named Ananias come in and lay his hands on brightness of that light, those who were saying to me in the Hebrew
him so that he might regain his sight." 13 But with me took my hand and led me to language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you
Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from Damascus. persecuting me? It hurts you to kick
many about this man, how much evil he has against the goads.' 15 I asked, 'Who
done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he 12 A certain Ananias, who was a devout are you, Lord?' The Lord answered,
has authority from the chief priests to bind all man according to the law and well 'I am Jesus whom you are
who invoke your name." 15 But the Lord said to spoken of by all the Jews living there, persecuting. 16 But get up and stand
him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have 13 came to me; and standing beside me, on your feet; for I have appeared to
chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and he said, 'Brother Saul, regain your sight!' you for this purpose, to appoint you
kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I In that very hour I regained my sight and to serve and testify to the things in
myself will show him how much he must suffer saw him. 14 Then he said, 'The God of which you have seen me and to those
for the sake of my name." 17 So Ananias went our ancestors has chosen you to know in which I will appear to you. 17 I
and entered the house. He laid his hands on his will, to see the Righteous One and to will rescue you from your people and
Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, hear his own voice; 15 for you will be from the Gentiles—to whom I am
who appeared to you on your way here, has sent his witness to all the world of what you sending you 18 to open their eyes so
me so that you may regain your sight and be have seen and heard. 16 And now why that they may turn from darkness to
filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and light and from the power of Satan to
immediately something like scales fell from his have your sins washed away, calling on God, so that they may receive
eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up his name.' 17 "After I had returned to forgiveness of sins and a place
and was baptized, 19 and after taking some Jerusalem and while I was praying in the among those who are sanctified by
food, he regained his strength. temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw faith in me.'
Jesus saying to me, 'Hurry and get out of
For several days he was with the disciples in Jerusalem quickly, because they will not 19 After that, King Agrippa, I was not
Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to accept your testimony about me.' 19 And disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20
proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that but declared first to those in
is the Son of God." 21 All who heard him were in every synagogue I imprisoned and Damascus, then in Jerusalem and
amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made beat those who believed in you. 20 And throughout the countryside of Judea,
havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked while the blood of your witness Stephen and also to the Gentiles, that they
this name? And has he not come here for the was shed, I myself was standing by, should repent and turn to God and do
purpose of bringing them bound before the chief approving and keeping the coats of those deeds consistent with repentance."
priests?" 22 Saul became increasingly more who killed him.' 21 Then he said to me,
powerful and confounded the Jews who lived 'Go, for I will send you far away to the
in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Gentiles.'"
Messiah. 23 After some time had passed, the
Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot
became known to Saul. They were watching the
gates day and night so that they might kill him;
25 but his disciples took him by night and let
him down through an opening in the wall,
lowering him in a basket. 26 When he had come
to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples;
and they were all afraid of him, for they did not
believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas
took him, brought him to the apostles, and
described for them how on the road he had seen
the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in
Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of

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Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them in

Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the
Lord. 29 He spoke and argued with the
Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him.
30 When the believers learned of it, they
brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off
to Tarsus.

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