Why is Paul (Saul) of the Bible Hated?

Question

Especially by Muslims.

Answer 1

Many of the answerers here are confused about Paul, so we must first clear up the confusion:

1) Saul/Paul was NOT a tax collector, that was Matthew. Saul was a rabbinical student under the great teacher, Gamaliel (Acts 22:13). To support himself, Paul was a tentmaker by trade (Acts 18:3).

2) Paul was never in the Sanhedrin, since he was never married (1 Cor. 7:7), which was required in order to be nominated. Also, the Sanhedrin was reserved for only the most learned scholars, who tended to be elderly. Paul was still a relatively young man when he is first mentioned in Acts.

Saul was rightfully hated because he betrayed his fellow Jews to the authorities because of their belief that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Many of these people were killed, beaten, and persecuted in other ways.

When Saul became Born Again, he was cleansed by the saving blood of Jesus Christ. He changed his name as a symbol of puting on a "new man" (Eph. 4:17-24). Just as we have been forgiven, we should forgive Paul. There is no Scriptural reason why anyone should continue to hold his sins against him.

With regard to Muslims, many of Paul's teachings can be used to easily prove Islam is a false religion, lead by a false prophet. For this reason, I can understand why Muslims would hate Paul. But everything Paul wrote was "God-breathed," and fully the truth, whether Muslims like it or not.

Peace.

Answer 2

Saul Paul Bible

Answer 3

Saul/Paul, was hated because he was originally a Roman Tax Collector! This was sort of the lowest of the low in Israel, and that is what he did. As to why he is hated by Muslims I have no idea, except that Paul was responsible for the growth of early Christianity more than any other disciple of Jesus, so that might have something to do with it.

Answer 4

While I neither hate Paul nor am I a Muslim, I do think he took this very simple, beautiful message of Jesus and turned it right back into the same legalistic sort of religion that Jesus had come to tear down. I don't think he did this on purpose; Paul's epistles were directed at addressing problems in individual churches, not to be laid down as law, but when the Bible was later assembled by council, they were added and have ever since generally been taken as rules for Christians to follow.

Answer 5

Saul was a man who killed Christians and was blind by the SON light. He then became a follower of JESUS and started to spread the GOSPEL of JESUS. We do not know why he changed his name to Paul. Now that I said a little back ground on Paul(Saul) then I believe they hated him is because he share the Gospel to people.

Answer 6

Thanks for telling me that. I didn't know Saul of Tarsus was hated by Muslims.

And just to correct the errors of a couple other posters. Saul was not a tax collector. That was Matthew.

Saul, was part of the Sanhedrin and was charged with wiping out the early Christians. And was doing a good job of that until he saw the light (literally) on the road to Damascus. His name was changed to Paul at this time.

After that there was a lot of apprehension by early Christians because of his actions before his conversion. But I was unaware that was hatred and that it carried on until today. I'm not a bog fan of his writings because they seem to be used to strictly to me.

Answer 7

For clarity, Matthew was a tax collector, (Matt 9:9,10)
Saul/Paul was a Jew who was bent on destroying the church, (Acts 8:3) was there when Stephen was stoned. (Acts 7:58-8:1) He was converted when Christ came to him on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9)

I don't know if Muslims hate Paul - but wanted to clarify the tax collector thing.

Answer 8

I noticed some saying Paul teaches hate.

I put an article in the newspaper about homosexuality, and that idea about Paul was given to me by a few who had a say about my article.

Well, Paul recorded the admonitions according to God, but those that choose the promiscuous life reject that.
They accuse Paul of teaching hate, and go on sinning with no shame.

If they reject Paul, they reject Jesus Christ, but when they decide to pick and choose the scriptures they want to live by, how can we help save them?

Answer 9

He started out as a tax collector and a none believer. He went about trying to disprove Jesus, was struck blind, God spoke to him in his blind traveling state
told him to go to an man in the next town that believed, he would heal him of
his blindness. His name was Saul the Tax collector. after he was healed he
was Paul a Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, a Believer

Answer 10

I believe someone is confused about what Saul did before he was converted