WHY IS ST. PAUL A HERO OF A GENTILE LIKE ME?

Toronto, Canada, Jeffrey Suresh Ram, Editor, ReformAdvocate.Com 

July 22, 2026

Statue of Apostle Paul in front of St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City (Rome, Italy)

Introduction

Every Christian has heroes of faith. Some admire Abraham for his unwavering faith, Moses for leading Israel out of Egypt, David for his courage, or Peter for his boldness. As a Gentile Christian, however, one biblical figure stands out in a unique way—St. Paul the Apostle.

Without St. Paul's faithful ministry, the Christian faith might have remained largely within the Jewish community during its earliest years. Under God's guidance, Paul became the great missionary who carried the message of Jesus Christ across cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and geographical boundaries. Through his preaching, teaching, church planting, and inspired writings, countless Gentiles—including millions living today—came to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

That is why St. Paul is one of my greatest heroes.

1. St. Paul Brought the Gospel to the Gentiles

Jesus originally ministered among the Jewish people, fulfilling God's promises to Israel. Yet God's plan had always included the salvation of all nations.

Paul understood this divine purpose clearly.

On the road to Damascus, the risen Jesus called Saul—the persecutor of Christians—to become Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).

From that moment, his life changed completely.

Instead of persecuting Christians, Paul devoted his life to proclaiming Christ among non-Jews throughout the Roman Empire.

The Apostle Paul visited the following modern-day countries during his missionary journeys:

• Turkey: The hub of his ministry, including key cities like Tarsus, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Ephesus, and Troas.

• Syria: Home to the early Christian base in Antioch, as well as Damascus.

• Greece: Including prominent cities like Athens, Corinth, and Thessalonica.

• Cyprus: He visited cities such as Salamis and Paphos on his first journey.

• Israel: His starting and ending points for several journeys, including Jerusalem and Caesarea.

• Malta: Paul was shipwrecked here while en route to Rome.

• Italy: He spent over two years under house arrest in Rome. 

Without Paul's obedience, many Gentile communities might not have heard the Good News during the first century.

2. Paul Declared That Salvation Is for Everyone

One of Paul's greatest contributions was his bold declaration that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ—not through ethnicity, nationality, or keeping the ceremonial Law of Moses.

He wrote:

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." (Romans 3:23)

And:

"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Notice the word everyone.

Paul repeatedly emphasized that God's grace is offered equally to Jews and Gentiles.

This was revolutionary.

In a world divided by race, religion, and social class, Paul proclaimed a Kingdom where all believers stand equally before God.

As a Gentile Christian today, I rejoice because Paul helped make this truth known.

3. Paul Defended Gentile Freedom

One of the greatest crises in the early Church concerned whether Gentile converts had to become Jews before becoming Christians.

Some believers insisted that Gentiles must first be circumcised and obey the entire Mosaic Law.

Paul courageously opposed this teaching.

He argued passionately that salvation comes through God's grace alone.

The issue was finally addressed at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), where the apostles affirmed that Gentiles need not become Jewish proselytes to follow Christ.

This decision changed world history.

Had Paul remained silent, Christianity might never have become a truly global faith.

Millions of believers—including myself—owe deep gratitude for his courage.

4. Paul Showed That God's Grace Can Transform Anyone

Paul openly admitted his past.

He had persecuted Christians.

He approved of Stephen's execution.

He tried to destroy the Church.

Yet God forgave him.

Paul later wrote:

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." (1 Timothy 1:15)

His life demonstrates that no one is beyond God's mercy.

His transformation gives hope to every sinner.

If God could transform Saul the persecutor into Paul the Apostle, He can transform anyone today.

5. Paul Suffered for Christ Without Giving Up

Paul's ministry was marked by extraordinary hardship.

According to 2 Corinthians 11:23–28, he endured:

• imprisonment

• beatings

• shipwrecks

• stoning

• hunger

• sleepless nights

• dangers from robbers

• persecution from enemies

• betrayal by false believers

Yet he never abandoned his mission.

Near the end of his life, Paul wrote:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

His perseverance inspires Christians facing trials and persecution today.

6. Paul United People Across Divisions

The ancient world was deeply divided.

There were tensions between:

• Jews and Gentiles

• slaves and free people

• men and women

• rich and poor

• Greeks and Romans

Paul proclaimed a radically different vision.

He declared:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

This teaching laid an enduring foundation for the Christian understanding of the equal dignity of all believers before God.

Although social inequalities persisted, Paul's vision challenged barriers that separated people and continues to inspire efforts toward unity and mutual respect.

7. Paul's Letters Continue to Teach the World

Paul wrote thirteen New Testament letters traditionally attributed to him.

These include:

• Romans

• 1 & 2 Corinthians

• Galatians

• Ephesians

• Philippians

• Colossians

• 1 & 2 Thessalonians

• 1 & 2 Timothy

• Titus

• Philemon

These letters explain:

• salvation by grace

• Christian faith

• love

• forgiveness

• holiness

• church leadership

• family relationships

• spiritual gifts

• Christian hope

Nearly two thousand years later, believers across the world continue to read and study these writings. Paul's letters remain central to Christian theology and spiritual formation.

8. Paul Demonstrated the Importance of Mission

Paul did not wait for people to come to him.

He went to them.

He crossed cultures.

He learned local customs.

He reasoned with philosophers in Athens.

He met people where they were.

His missionary example continues to inspire churches to share the Gospel with people of every nation and culture.

9. Paul's Vision Changed World History

The influence of Paul extends far beyond the Church.

His teachings have shaped:

• Western civilization

• ethics

• education

• charity

• human dignity

• law

• literature

• music

• philosophy

Many hospitals, schools, universities, and charitable organizations were founded by Christians inspired by biblical teachings that Paul helped explain and spread.

His influence reaches billions of lives.

10. Paul's Life Points to Jesus, Not Himself

Perhaps Paul's greatest quality was humility.

Although he accomplished extraordinary things, he continually directed attention to Christ.

He declared:

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

He also wrote:

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Paul never sought personal glory.

His ambition was that people would know Jesus.

That is the mark of a true servant of God.

Lessons I Learned from St. Paul

As a Gentile Christian, Paul's life teaches me several enduring lessons:

• God's grace is available to everyone.

• No sinner is beyond redemption.

• Faith in Christ transcends ethnicity and social status.

• Courage is required to defend the truth.

• Christians should be willing to serve sacrificially.

• Perseverance is essential during suffering.

• The Gospel should be shared with all nations.

• True leadership points people to Christ rather than to oneself.

These lessons remain as relevant today as they were in the first century.

Conclusion

Humanly speaking, I might never have heard the Gospel were it not for the ministry that God entrusted to St. Paul.

The man who once tried to destroy the Church gave his life to building it. His ministry opened the doors of the Christian faith to people from every nation, language, and culture.

For a Gentile like me, St. Paul is a hero because he reminds me that God's love is not limited by race, nationality, or background. In Christ, all who believe are welcomed into God's family. May we imitate Paul's faith, courage, perseverance, humility, and passion for sharing the Gospel, always remembering his own words:

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Reference: The Holy Bible

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