Paul

The term that is transliterated as “Paul” in English means “little.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In American Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies the many letters he wrote. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Paul” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting putting away a sword, referring to his conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a Christian leader. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Paul (and Saul)” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that is based on contemporary depictions and refers to the presumed baldness of the top of his head. The description originates from the 2nd-century apocryphal text titled Acts of Paul and Thecla , which represents the earliest and most detailed physical characterization of the apostle in Christian tradition (see also the icon below). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Paul” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Paul,” the second part refers to “apostle” (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Following is a Georgian Orthodox icon of Paul the Apostle from the 14th century (located in the Art Museum of Georgia, Tbilisi).

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

The following is a contemporary stained glass window from the Messiah Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minnesota by Peter Dohmen. Individual glass pieces were made in Germany in accordance with Dohmen’s design, using a technique first developed by Irish monks in the 9th and 10th centuries.

Source for the image and description below: The Stained Glass Windows of Messiah Episcopal Church

“This window is dedicated to St. Paul, the great apostle and missionary, for whom our city is named. At the top of the window is a ship which symbolizes the many missionary journeys of Paul — the Church is our ship, which carries us over the way of life. In the lower section we see Paul on the road to Damascus when he saw a great light and heard our Lord’s voice, which called him to discipleship.”

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Paul (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Paul .

complete verse (Acts 18:1)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 18:1:

  • Uma: “After that, Paulus departed from the town of Atena, going to the town of Korintus.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “After that Paul left from Aten and went to the city Korinto.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “It wasn’t long, and then Paul left Athens and he went to Corinth.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When that was so, Pablo left Athens, and he went to Corinto.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “From Atenas, Pablo moved to the city of Corinto.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 18:1

Corinth was destroyed in 146 B.C., but it was rebuilt exactly a century later by Julius Caesar, and in 27 B.C. it became the capital of the province of Achaia. It was a commercial center and noted for its sexual immorality.

In some languages one cannot employ a temporal marker such as after this. Rather, it is necessary to stipulate precisely what event is referred to—for example, “after Paul had spoken at the court of the Areopagus.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:1

Section 18:1–17

Paul went to Corinth

In this section, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. He made the acquaintance of Aquila and Priscilla there. He worked with them making tents. Every Sabbath he discussed Jesus as the Christ with people. After some time Silas and Timothy came to Corinth. Then Paul stopped making tents and began preaching every day. Some of the Jews opposed Paul. So Paul began using the house of Titius Justus as a place to preach. Many people of Corinth believed in Jesus.

One night Jesus spoke to Paul and told him to speak the gospel fearlessly. So Paul stayed a year and a half, preaching and teaching. During that time, the Jews took Paul to court, but the Roman judge refused to judge the case. Then some people at the court beat Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler, because they disliked the Jews.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul preached in Corinth and stayed for a year and a half
-or-
People in Corinth hear the message
-or-
In Corinth (New International Version)

Paragraph 18:1–4

18:1

After this: Paul probably spent at least a few days teaching the new believers in Athens. Your translation should not indicate that Paul left Athens immediately after he left the council (such as with a phrase like: “That day” or “Then”). Refer generally to his time in Athens. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

After these things (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Later (New Century Version)

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth: Paul may have gone by ship or by road. It was a one day trip by ship in good weather. The road from Athens to Corinth was about 80 kilometers (50 miles). This would take two days on foot, or one day by cart or horse.

Paul left: The Greek word is literally “(he) left.” But since this verse begins a new chapter, the Berean Standard Bible uses Paul’s name here.

Corinth: Corinth was the capital city of the province of Achaia and was a center of commerce at that time. Corinth is a seaport on the Gulf of Corinth leading to the Ionian Sea.

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