1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, 4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house. 16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Saul was born in Tarsus in Asia Minor. His family was of the line of Benjamin and possessed Roman citizenship (Rom 11:1, Acts 25:11) by virtue of his home city. He studied the law under the tutelage of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) and learned the trade of tent-making, which he later used to support his ministry (Acts 18:3).
Saul enters the New Testament in a negative light by approving of the stoning of Stephen, having become a zealous Pharisee. After this event “he made havoc of the church,” arresting every Christian man and woman he could find (Acts 8:1-3). The Lord Jesus picked Saul as “a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
After Saul’s conversion, his name was changed to Paul (Acts 13:9). He went on to become the author of thirteen books of the New Testament, the founder of many churches in Asia Minor and Greece, a missionary to Rome, and a witness of Christ to many rulers, including the “household of Caesar.” During this time he was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and even shipwrecked. After being arrested in Jerusalem, he appealed to Caesar and was sent to Rome. After arriving in Rome, he was imprisoned again and put under house arrest, finally being released until he was arrested in the persecution of Nero. Tradition says he was beheaded by Nero and buried outside the walls of Rome.
In 2009 the Vatican announced that excavations carried out in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls had discovered a first or second-century tomb containing bone fragments, incense, and fragments of linen, which might be those of Paul.
The writings of Paul have probably influenced Christian doctrine more than any other person after Christ. His letter to the church of Rome is the first systematic presentation of theology written. Other letters include instructions for church order, familial relations, qualifications for pastors and deacons, teachings against legalism and antinomianism, and an incipient form of later Gnosticism in the second century. His letters affirm the doctrines of salvation by grace through faith and election. His life of service to the Gospel also stands as an example for all Christians.