The Bible does not give an exact date for the birth of Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus. However, we can estimate the approximate time period based on some details provided in Scripture about Paul’s life and ministry.
We know that Paul was active as a persecutor of the early Christian church prior to his dramatic conversion described in Acts 9. The stoning of Stephen, which Paul consented to, is generally dated around 34-35 AD (Acts 7:58-8:3). So Paul must have been old enough to be an active participant in the persecution of Christians at that time. Most scholars believe Paul was probably born sometime in the first decade AD.
In Philemon 1:9, Paul calls himself an “old man” (Greek “presbytes”). This epistle is typically dated around 60-62 AD, meaning Paul was probably at least in his 50s when he wrote it. Going back around 20-30 years from that would put Paul’s birth sometime in the 10s AD. Galatians 1:13-14 indicates that Paul was advancing in Judaism beyond many of his contemporaries when he was persecuting the church. So he was likely not extremely young, but rather in his late teens or twenties.
In Acts 7:58, Paul is called a “young man” (Greek “neanias”) at the stoning of Stephen. The word can refer to someone in their 20s or 30s. Taking into account Paul’s apparent maturity and zeal for Judaism, he was likely in his late 20s or early 30s, meaning a birth date in the first decade AD.
Additional evidence comes from Paul’s statement in Philemon 1:9 that he was “an old man and now also a prisoner.” This implies that he had been imprisoned multiple times. Paul’s first imprisonment that we know of was around 60-62 AD in Rome. If he had previous imprisonments, it further confirms an earlier birth date.
Most scholars conclude Paul was probably born sometime between 5 and 10 AD in Tarsus, located in modern day Turkey. This would make him around 30 years old at his conversion and in his 50s to early 60s at the time of his later epistles and martyrdom.
Some key events providing evidence for Paul’s birth date:
- Paul’s participation in Stephen’s stoning around 34-35 AD (Acts 7:58)
- Paul called a “young man” at this time (Acts 7:58)
- Paul called an “old man” around 60-62 AD (Philemon 1:9)
- Paul has multiple imprisonments by 62 AD (Philemon 1:9)
- Paul was advancing in Judaism as a persecutor (Galatians 1:13-14)
- Paul’s maturity implies he was not extremely young in the mid 30s AD
By working backward from these events, most scholars conclude Paul was likely born in the first decade of the first century AD. The exact year is unknown, though a date between 5-10 AD seems most plausible. This would make Paul around 30 at his conversion and in his 50s nearing the end of his ministry as he wrote his later epistles.
While we don’t have definitive information, the Scriptural evidence provides a reasonable estimate for when the apostle Paul was born. Most scholars place Paul’s birth in the first decade AD, making him one of the earliest instrumental leaders of the New Testament church.
Additional details pointing to Paul’s birth date in the early first century AD:
- Paul was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29). Roman citizenship was granted to Jews in the region around 1 AD.
- Paul studied under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), who died around 50 AD. Paul must have studied under him at a younger age.
- Paul participated in the binding and stoning of Stephen around 34 AD (Acts 7:58). His age would likely have been around 30.
- Paul quotes Greek poets (Acts 17:28, 1 Cor. 15:33, Titus 1:12). His education implies he was born after Tarsus came under Greek influence around 10 BC.
- Paul had a married sister and nephew (Acts 23:16) indicating he was old enough to have generational family members.
Taking all available information into account, most scholars estimate Paul’s birth between 5-10 AD in the city of Tarsus. This would make him around 30 years old at his conversion to Christianity and in his 50s to early 60s at the time of his later epistles and martyrdom under Nero around 65 AD.
While we can never be certain exactly when Paul was born, the Scriptural and historical evidence point to the first decade of the first century AD as the most likely time period. This birth date range fits with the chronology of Paul’s early persecuting activity, conversion, and later ministry as one of the most influential early Christian leaders.
Some additional analysis of clues about Paul’s birth date:
- Paul claims to be a Hebrew, Israelite, of the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5). This means he was born of Jewish parents.
- As a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29), he would have been granted citizenship rights either under Augustus’ reign (27 BC – 14 AD) or Tiberius’ reign (14 – 37 AD). This fits a birth date in the early first century AD.
- Paul’s family were Greek-speaking diaspora Jews living in Tarsus (Acts 21:39). Tarsus became part of the Roman empire in 64 BC.
- Paul was born a Jew but raised in a Hellenized (Greek cultural influence) environment in Tarsus.
- Paul wrote high-quality Greek, indicating he had a good Hellenistic education, likely between 10 and 15 years old.
- Paul quotes several Greek writers – Epimenides, Aratus, Menander (1 Cor 15:33; Titus 1:12; Acts 17:28). This was part of his Greek education.
- As a Roman citizen, Paul had the name Saul (Hebrew name) and Paul (Roman name) (Acts 13:9). Saul was his Jewish name, Paul his Gentile name.
These details provide further cultural and historical context pointing to Paul being born in the early first century AD in the Roman province of Cilicia, in the city of Tarsus. He was born into a Jewish family but brought up with Greek cultural influences. This background and education prepared him for his later ministry as the “Apostle to the Gentiles.”
In conclusion, while we do not have an exact birth date for Paul, the evidence strongly indicates he was born within the first decade AD in Tarsus. This would make him around 30 years old when he encountered Christ and commenced his missionary activity planting churches throughout the Roman world. The approximate time frame of 5-10 AD fits well with the biblical narrative and historical record of the remarkable impact this former Pharisee made on the early Christian movement.
