Topical Bible: Malice: Jews Toward Paul

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was a pivotal figure in the early Christian Church, renowned for his missionary journeys and theological contributions. However, his ministry was often met with hostility and malice from certain Jewish groups. This animosity stemmed from various factors, including his conversion from Judaism to Christianity, his teachings that challenged traditional Jewish beliefs, and his mission to the Gentiles.

Background and Context

Paul was a Pharisee and a zealous adherent of Jewish law before his dramatic conversion to Christianity (Acts 9:1-19). His transformation and subsequent preaching of Jesus as the Messiah were perceived as a betrayal by many Jews. Paul's message that salvation was available to both Jews and Gentiles without strict adherence to the Mosaic Law was particularly contentious (Galatians 3:28).

Instances of Malice

1. Persecution in Damascus and Jerusalem: After his conversion, Paul began preaching in Damascus, where he faced immediate opposition. The Jews conspired to kill him, forcing him to escape by being lowered in a basket through an opening in the city wall (Acts 9:23-25). Upon his return to Jerusalem, he encountered similar hostility, necessitating his departure to Tarsus (Acts 9:29-30).

2. Antioch in Pisidia: During his first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas preached in the synagogue at Antioch. Initially, they were well-received, but when the whole city gathered to hear them, the Jews were filled with jealousy and contradicted Paul, leading to their expulsion from the region (Acts 13:45, 50).

3. Iconium and Lystra: In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas faced a divided city, with Jews and Gentiles plotting to stone them, prompting their flight to Lystra (Acts 14:5-6). In Lystra, Jews from Antioch and Iconium incited the crowd, resulting in Paul being stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19).

4. Thessalonica and Berea: In Thessalonica, Paul's success in converting many led to Jewish envy, resulting in a mob riot and accusations against him (Acts 17:5-7). In Berea, Jews from Thessalonica followed Paul, agitating the crowds and forcing him to leave (Acts 17:13-14).

5. Jerusalem and Imprisonment: Paul's return to Jerusalem marked a climax in Jewish hostility. Accused of defiling the temple by bringing Gentiles into it, Paul was seized and nearly killed by a mob before Roman intervention (Acts 21:27-31). His subsequent trials were marked by Jewish leaders' persistent efforts to have him condemned (Acts 23:12-15; 25:2-3).

Theological Implications

The malice of certain Jewish groups towards Paul highlights the tension between the nascent Christian faith and traditional Judaism. Paul's teachings on grace, faith, and the inclusion of Gentiles were revolutionary and often perceived as a threat to Jewish identity and religious practices. This opposition underscores the broader conflict between the old covenant and the new covenant established through Christ.

Conclusion

The hostility Paul faced from some Jewish factions was a significant aspect of his ministry, shaping his missionary strategy and theological reflections. Despite the malice directed towards him, Paul's unwavering commitment to his calling and his profound impact on Christianity remain evident throughout the New Testament.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 17:5
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took to them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
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Acts 23:12
And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
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Acts 25:3
And desired favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
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Library

Paul a Prisoner
... the heathen an asylum from the malice of the ... of Paul, not only to the unbelieving
Jews, but to ... fully surrendered their feeling of bitterness toward the apostle ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 38 paul a prisoner.htm

St. Paul's Wish to be Accursed from Christ.
... mighty Abaddan of diabolical and Jewish malice, is arrested ... fount of Science, and
learning the Jews' religion in ... the mercy which had been exercised toward him. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon ix st pauls wish.htm

Paul Before Felix.
... By this disappointment, the malice of his enemies was ... the greater part even of the
orthodox Jews, this hope ... always a conscience void of offence toward God, and ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvii paul before felix.htm

Preaching among the Heathen
... Paul's heart went out in sympathy toward the afflicted man, in whom ... and Barnabas
at Lystra were suddenly checked by the malice of "certain Jews from Antioch ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 18 preaching among the.htm

Acts XXIII
... have given Paul up to their malice, without probability ... When this order was issued,
the Jews were bitterly ... They naturally felt some ill-will toward Lysias, as ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxiii.htm

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ...
... These motives actuated the boasting Jews, who, as God ... more shameful and accursed,
when manifested toward God who ... of eternal life, terrible as such malice of the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty second sunday after trinity.htm

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Paul's Care and Prayer for the ...
... must behold such things as did the Jews who delivered ... them and heaps upon them its
malice, should they ... should have in our hearts genuine faith toward God; and ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/sixteenth sunday after trinity pauls.htm

Acts xxviii. 1
... tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome." (v ... And in all the plottings
of the Jews against him the ... in the life to come: but as to malice, the case ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily liv acts xxviii 1.htm

Easter Sunday
... The Jews had annually to partake of their offered ... By "malice" we understand the various
open vices and ... simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ." Under ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter sunday.htm

The Epistles of St. Paul
... with the miracles claimed by the Jews, and the ... in old leaven, nor in leaven of malice
and wickedness ... says, The sufferings of Christ abound toward us'; meaning ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/chapter 3 the epistles of.htm