Bible scholars...is there evidence that the Apostle Paul was married before he converted to Christianity?

Question

I've heard there is but am not sure. If so, could you please sight some references? Thanks!! God Bless!

Answer 1

Was The Apostle Paul Married

Answer 2

I can't say that Paul was married but there is a verse in Scripture where he asks is he not allowed to lead about a sister a wife and as the brethren of the Lord and of Cephas? 1 Coronthians 9:5 this verse seems to imply Peter had a wife. I just stumbled across another verse I have read but never seen before of similar interest. Mathew 8:14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house he saw his wifes mother laid and sick with a fever. Again thisimplies Peter had a wife and mother-in-law. Just to add on the speculatin of Paul being gay. No evidence he was gay or that he was against women. he said many things that were especially in those times quite pro women. Such as Husbands love your wives even as Christ the church. And there is neither male nor female greek ...in Christ

Answer 3

No - there is no evidence that Paul was ever married. Maybe you are confusing notes on a 2nd century apocryphal work titled "The Acts of Paul and Thecla" which narrates how a young aristocratic girl (virgin) named Thecla became an ardent Christian after hearing Paul preach in Iconium. Tertullian thought that the "Acts of Paul and Thecla" was forged by a Presbyter in Asia who produced the work in honor of the Apostle Paul. Be that as it may, the work actually praises the celibate way of life.
When recommending that each man "have his own wife", Paul expressed the wish that everone could be like him - celibate (1 Cor. 7: 7)

1 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:
It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Paul would hardly say that if he were married. Rememebr, he just advised the married Christians "not to deprive one another."

Hope this helps you

Answer 4

The evidence that he was married is based on the assumption that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling body. This is gathered from the fact those stoning Stephen laid their garments at his feet. If this was the case then he apparently was married as this was one of the requirements of being a member of that ruling body. I base my answer on recollections of things I have heard taught by others. As a reliable source of information on Jewish customs at the time of Jesus and the apostles I would recommend to you the writings of the Messianic Jewish scholar Alfred Edersheim.

Answer 5

Claim CG001:
Darwin renounced evolution on his deathbed.
Source:
Enoch, H., 1916. Darwin's final recantation. Bombay Guardian, 25 March 1916, quoted at http://www.forerunner.com/forerunner/X0724_Darwins_Final_Recant.html
Response:

1. The story of Darwin's recanting is not true. Shortly after Darwin's death, Lady Hope told a gathering that she had visited Darwin on his deathbed and that he had expressed regret over evolution and had accepted Christ. However, Darwin's daughter Henrietta, who was with him during his last days, said Lady Hope never visited during any of Darwin's illnesses, that Darwin probably never saw her at any time, and that he never recanted any of his scientific views (Clark 1984, 199; Yates 1994).

2. The story would be irrelevant even if true. The theory of evolution rests upon reams of evidence from many different sources, not upon the authority of any person or persons.

Answer 6

Bible scholars...is there evidence that the Apostle Paul was married before he converted to Christianity?

Yes-and AFTER TOO!

Answer 7

Paul, or Saul, as he was know then, was a member of the Jewish ruling body called the Sanhedrin. One of the requirements of the Sanhedrin was to be married.

Answer 8

According to Corinthians 1 7:7 he was single.But he often talks about "the thorn in his side"..!

Answer 9

Paul said that he was not married.
1 Cor 7:8 Now I say to those who are not married and to widows. It is better to stay unmarried, just as I am.

Answer 10

To the contrary:
I Corinthians 7:1-8 also makes it clear that Paul was not married. "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I."