Παῦλος

The name Paulos, or Paul, is most prominently associated with the apostle to the Gentiles. While born Saul of Tarsus and a persecutor of Christians, his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus transformed him into a zealous missionary for Christ. His adoption of the Roman name Paulos, meaning "little" or "small," is often seen as reflective of his humility and his self-identification as "the least of the apostles" (1 Cor. 15:9). This name also facilitated his ministry among Gentiles, as it was a common Roman cognomen. His theological contributions, particularly on justification by faith, the nature of the church, and Christian ethics, have profoundly shaped Christian thought.

Paulos is used to refer to the apostle in the book of Acts, where his missionary journeys and encounters with both Jews and Gentiles are chronicled. He is depicted as a bold preacher, a tireless traveler, and a pastor deeply concerned for the welfare of the churches he founded. Beyond Acts, the name Paulos introduces his numerous epistles, which comprise a significant portion of the New Testament. These letters, such as Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and Ephesians, offer deep theological insights, practical instruction for Christian living, and encouragement to believers facing various challenges. The consistent use of "Paulos" at the beginning of these epistles affirms his apostleship and authority to address the specific congregations.

The only other occurrence of Paulos in the New Testament is in Acts 13:7, where it refers to Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul of Cyprus, who was converted under Barnabas and Paul's ministry. The apostle's adoption of the name Paul is often linked to this event, as he is first called Paul in the narrative immediately after Sergius Paulus' conversion. The prominence of the apostle Paul’s writings and his foundational role in the spread of the early Christian church make this name synonymous with faithful Christian witness and theological depth.