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I have my grandfather's arms. I also have my father's nose and my mother's build. By now, you've figured out that I'm thinking about the characteristics I've inherited. We all have them. Perhaps you've been told that you have your mother's eyes or your uncle's curly hair. In my case, having slightly bent arms, curly hair and a "stout" build, makes me a certified member of my Ohio farmer family. Family ties become most evident for all of us when we attend family reunions. That's when you see people who not only look like you, but often, even walk and talk like you. It's a family thing. So it is also with the people of the Bible. Since we don't have pictures or detailed descriptions of these people, we are left with their writings and the few rare times that they say something about each other. Starting with this column and now and then in the future, we're going to be looking at the literary traits of the writers of the Bible with the purpose of adding personality to the person's writings. Our hope is that this will be a little like pouring water on a dry sponge and watching it take on new dimensions and a fresh color. This week we'll begin a two-part series about the Apostle Paul. By birth, religion, education, and sentiment, Paul was a Hebrew. Little is known of his family. His father was a Roman citizen (see Acts 22:28). Paul had at least one sister (see Acts 23:16). He was born in the country we now call Turkey in a city named Tarsus (see Acts 21:39). His birth date is unknown, but he is referred to as a young man in Acts 7:58. However, the term "young" could apply to anyone between the ages of 20-40. He learned tent making (Acts 18:3) and later supported himself with this craft. His total education is unstated, but as a youth in Jerusalem (Acts 26:3) he had training under the most renowned rabbi and Pharisee of his day. Paul became "an Hebrew of the Hebrews" (see Philippians 3:5,6), a strongly legalistic Pharisee and zealous persecutor of the Christian church. He probably learned ancient Hebrew but spoke Aramaic (See Acts 21:40), Greek and maybe Latin. Speaking and reading these languages would not have been unusual for a learned man of his day. Many people consider his education equal to a present-day doctor of philosophy (Ph-D) but no hard evidence exists. Paul's critics were not kind about his physical appearance. In II Corinthians 10:10 Paul quotes, "For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." He seems to have suffered some chronic health problem from which he prayed for relief at least three times (see the passage II Corinthians 12:7-10). Many hold that Paul's problem was poor eyesight because he dictated his letters to a secretary, but not enough biblical evidence is given to make a firm statement. Next week we'll look at this fascinating man whom people seemed either to love or hate. He left a fascinating "paper trail" behind that makes for very interesting and insightful study. Blessings in your study of God's Word! Marvin Hunt There is never a charge for my articles, and if you have a good reason, there is no limit to how many you may request. However, if you find them valuable you may want to order my latest book, History, Mystery and Facts About the Bible. Order at 1-800-845-7618 (ext. 301). You may also order from Amazon.com. Proceeds from the book go to support this ministry. Http://www.biblehistory.com p.s. A new column is posted weekly. Be sure and bookmark the site or put it on your favorites list. |