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Παῦλος (Paulos)

Paulos

Paul

G3972 · Greek · New Testament · 160 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
160 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

Paulos is the Greek form of the Latin name Paulus, which means "small" or "little." In the New Testament, it appears in two distinct contexts. First, it identifies Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Cyprus who encountered the apostles in Acts 13:7. Second, and far more frequently, it refers to the Apostle Paul himself, appearing over 150 times across Acts, his epistles, and even in 2 Peter.

Lexical sources note that this name likely originated from a Roman family name associated with prudence or careful management of affairs. The shift from Saul to Paul in Acts 13:9 marks a transition in the narrative as the apostle begins his mission to the Gentiles, though scholars suggest he may have held both names simultaneously as a Jew and a Roman citizen.

The name carries significant theological weight because it identifies the primary author of much of the New Testament. Its usage spans from the early church history in Acts to the foundational letters that shape Christian doctrine, making it one of the most recognizable names in Scripture.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Paulos carries a quiet dignity that speaks to the heart of the Christian journey. Originally meaning 'small' or 'little,' it reflects how God often chooses what seems insignificant in human eyes to accomplish great things. This name identifies the Apostle Paul, whose letters form a large part of the New Testament and who wrote extensively about grace, faith, and the life of the Spirit.

When you read his epistles, you are engaging with someone who understood struggle deeply. In Acts 13:46, he declares that because some rejected the message, they would turn to the Gentiles. This shift shows a resilience rooted in trust rather than personal pride. His ministry was not about status but about serving others and sharing the good news of salvation.

For your own life, this name reminds us that our value does not come from our size or influence but from our connection to Christ. Whether you feel small or overlooked, God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. The letters of Paul invite you into a relationship built on grace, encouraging you to stand firm in faith even when circumstances are difficult.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 160 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Paul120×
  • Paul;10×
  • Paul.7×
  • of Paul,4×
  • of Paul4×
  • to Paul3×
  • Paul,3×
  • after Paul2×
  • with Paul1×
  • to Paul;1×
  • to Paul.1×
  • of Paul;1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • Παῦλος70×
  • Παῦλον27×
  • Παύλου20×
  • Παύλῳ13×
  • Παῦλος·8×
  • Παύλου,5×
  • Παῦλον.3×
  • Παύλου.3×
  • Παῦλε·2×
  • Παύλῳ,2×
  • Παῦλου,1×
  • Παῦλος;1×

Key Verses

  • Acts 13:9
    But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him

    This verse marks the moment Saul is called Paul, signaling his new role as a primary witness to the Gentiles.

  • Acts 13:46
    Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from yourselves, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

    Here Paul boldly shifts his mission toward the Gentiles after facing rejection from some Jewish listeners.

  • Acts 16:9
    A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.”

    Paul receives a vision calling him to Macedonia, showing how God guided his missionary journeys.

  • Acts 14:12
    They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker.

    The crowd mistakes Paul for the god Mercury because he was the chief speaker, highlighting his leadership role.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Paulos mean?

Paulos is the Greek form of the Latin name Paulus, which means 'small' or 'little.' This meaning contrasts with the significant impact the Apostle Paul had on early Christianity.

Why did Saul change his name to Paul?

The text in Acts 13:9 notes that Saul, who is also called Paul. Scholars suggest he may have held both names as a Jew and a Roman citizen, with Paul becoming more prominent during his mission to the Gentiles.

Where does the name Paulos appear most often?

It appears frequently in the Acts of the Apostles and in the epistles attributed to him. The candidate list shows many occurrences in Acts chapters 13 through 16, detailing his missionary journeys.

Is Paulos a verb or a noun?

Paulos is a proper noun used as a personal name. It identifies specific individuals like Sergius Paulus in Acts 13:7 and the Apostle Paul throughout the New Testament.

Every Occurrence (160 verses across 15 books)

Acts 130 verses
Acts 13:7

who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to…

Acts 13:9

But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him

Acts 13:13

Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to…

Acts 13:16

Paul stood up, and gesturing with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.

Acts 13:43

Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who,…

Acts 13:45

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by…

Acts 13:46

Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since…

Acts 13:50

But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution…

Acts 14:9

He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,

Acts 14:11

When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods…

Acts 14:12

They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:14

But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes and sprang into the multitude, crying…

Acts 14:19

But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged…

Acts 15:2

Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some…

Acts 15:12

All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done…

Acts 15:22

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and…

Acts 15:25

it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and…

Acts 15:35

But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Acts 15:36

After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed…

Acts 15:38

But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and…

Acts 15:40

but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.

Acts 16:3

Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts,…

Acts 16:9

A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him and saying, “Come over into…

Acts 16:14

A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us. The Lord…

Acts 16:17

Following Paul and us, she cried out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of…

Acts 16:18

She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in…

Acts 16:19

But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the…

Acts 16:25

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Acts 16:28

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm yourself, for we are all here!”

Acts 16:29

He called for lights, sprang in, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,

Acts 16:36

The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out and…

Acts 16:37

But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison!…

Acts 17:2

Paul, as was his custom, went in to them; and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

Acts 17:4

Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas: of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the…

Acts 17:10

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish…

Acts 17:13

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came…

Acts 17:14

Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there.

Acts 17:15

But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should…

Acts 17:16

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.

Acts 17:22

Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all…

Acts 17:33

Thus Paul went out from among them.

Acts 18:1

After these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth.

Acts 18:5

When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus…

Acts 18:9

The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent;

Acts 18:12

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the…

Acts 18:14

But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked…

Acts 18:18

Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria,…

Acts 19:1

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus and found certain…

Acts 19:4

Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the…

Acts 19:6

When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

Acts 19:11

God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul,

Acts 19:13

But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of…

Acts 19:15

The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?”

Acts 19:21

Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go…

Acts 19:26

You see and hear that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away…

Acts 19:29

The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and…

Acts 19:30

When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him.

Acts 20:1

After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.

Acts 20:7

On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them,…

Acts 20:9

A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being…

Acts 20:10

Paul went down and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”

Acts 20:13

But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there; for he had so arranged,…

Acts 20:16

For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it…

Acts 20:37

They all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

Acts 21:4

Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to…

Acts 21:8

On the next day, we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the…

Acts 21:11

Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at…

Acts 21:13

Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also…

Acts 21:18

The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.

Acts 21:26

Then Paul took the men, and the next day purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment…

Acts 21:29

For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the…

Acts 21:30

All the city was moved and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the…

Acts 21:32

Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the…

Acts 21:37

As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, “May I speak to you?” He said, “Do…

Acts 21:39

But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to…

Acts 21:40

When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a…

Acts 22:25

When they had tied him up with straps, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man…

Acts 22:28

The commanding officer answered, “I bought my citizenship for a great price.” Paul said, “But I was born a Roman.”

Acts 22:30

But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds and…

Acts 23:1

Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”

Acts 23:3

Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and…

Acts 23:5

Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler…

Acts 23:6

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and…

Acts 23:10

When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the…

Acts 23:11

The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem,…

Acts 23:12

When it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither…

Acts 23:14

They came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great curse to taste nothing…

Acts 23:16

But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.

Acts 23:17

Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to…

Acts 23:18

So he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to…

Acts 23:20

He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire…

Acts 23:24

He asked them to provide mounts, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

Acts 23:31

So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

Acts 23:33

When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.

Acts 24:1

After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed…

Acts 24:10

When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this…

Acts 24:24

After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the…

Acts 24:26

Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent…

Acts 24:27

But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews,…

Acts 25:2

Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,

Acts 25:4

However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart…

Acts 25:6

When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment…

Acts 25:7

When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous…

Acts 25:8

while he said in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I…

Acts 25:9

But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be…

Acts 25:10

But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the…

Acts 25:14

As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner…

Acts 25:19

but had certain questions against him about their own religion and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to…

Acts 25:21

But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send…

Acts 25:23

So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing…

Acts 26:1

Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.

Acts 26:24

As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you…

Acts 26:25

But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.

Acts 26:28

Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”

Acts 26:29

Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might…

Acts 27:1

When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion…

Acts 27:3

The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh…

Acts 27:9

When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished…

Acts 27:11

But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things which were spoken by…

Acts 27:21

When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to…

Acts 27:24

saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Acts 27:31

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these stay in the ship, you can’t be saved.”

Acts 27:33

While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you wait…

Acts 27:43

But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim…

Acts 28:3

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and…

Acts 28:8

The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him,…

Acts 28:15

From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns.…

Acts 28:16

When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to…

Acts 28:25

When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke…

Acts 28:30

Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him,

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