Paul. I would speak nothing at all of the name of Paul: seeing it is a thing of no such weight, that we should stand long upon it: and nothing can be brought, which hath not been spoken of other interpreters before: but that with small labour, I may satisfy some, without any great contempt of others, this question shall be dispatched ⟨image 15⟩in few words. Those which think the Apostle did take unto him this name, as a testimony of his victory over Sergius that under consul,1 whom ye converted unto Christ, they are confuted of Luke himself, who showeth that he was so called before that time: neither do I think it like, that this name should be given unto him, ever since he was converted unto Christ. Which thing I suppose pleased Augustine, only that thereby he might take occasion of disputing wittingly, whiles he saith that of a proud Saul, he was made an humble disciple of Christ. The opinion of Origen is more probable,2 who judgeth him to have had two names. For it is not unlike, that this name Saul being a name of his ancestors, was given unto him of his parents, to declare his religion and kindred: & the other name Paul, to have been added for to testify the title of the city of Rome: both because they neither would have this honour obscured in him, which then was greatly esteemed: neither made they such reckoning of it, that it should extinguish the remembrance of the stock of Israel. That he useth the name of Paul oftener in his Epistles, this may seem to be the cause, it was more famous, and more used in the Churches, unto the which he wrote, it was more gracious in the Romaine Empire, though less known in his own kindred. For it behooved him to have great care to avoid that vain suspicion and hatred, wherein the very name of a Jew was at that time with the Romans, and Provincials: and to beware he increased not the madness of his Countrymen, and to take heed to him self. A Servant of Jesus &c. He adorneth himself with these titles,3 that he might get authority unto his doctrine. And that he doth two ways: first, whiles he affirmeth his calling unto the Apostleship. Secondly, when he teacheth that the same calling is not strange from the Church of Rome. For it was both very expedient that he should be an Apostle by the calling of God, and also known to be appointed to the Church of Rome.
PAul. I would speak nothing at al of the name of Paul: seeyng it is a thing of no such weight, that wee should stand long vpon it: and nothing can be brought, whiche hath not been spoken of other interpreters before: but that with small labour, I may satisfie some, without any great contempt of others, this question shalbee dispatched ⟨image 15⟩in few wordes. Those which thinke the Apostle did take vnto him this name, as a testimony of his victory ouer Sergius yt vnder cōsul,1 whom ye conuerted vnto Christ, they are confuted of Luke himselfe, who sheweth yt he was so called before that time: neither doe I thinke it like, that this name should be giuen vnto him, euer since he was cōuerted vnto Christ. Which thing I suppose pleased Augustine, only yt thereby he might take occasion of disputing wittingly, whiles he saith that of a proude Saule, hee was made an humble disciple of Christ. The opinion of Origē is more probable,2 who iudgeth him to haue had two names. For it is not vnlike, that this name Saule beyng a name of his auncestours, was giuen vnto him of his parents, to declare his religion and kinred: & the other name Paul, to haue beene added for to testifie the title of the citie of Rome: both because they neither would haue this honour obscured in him, whiche then was greatly esteemed: neither made they such reckoning of it, that it should extinguishe the remembraunce of the stocke of Israel. That he vseth the name of Paul oftener in his Epistles, this may seeme to be the cause, it was more famous, and more vsed in the Churches, vnto the which he wrote, it was more gracious in the Romaine Empyre, though lesse knowne in his owne kinred. For it behooued him to haue great care to auoyde that vayne suspicion and hatred, wherin the very name of a Iewe was at that time with the Romaines, and Prouincials: and to beware hee increased not the madnes of his Countriemen, and to take heed to him selfe. A Seruaunt of Iesus &c. Hee adorneth himselfe with these titles,3 that hee might gette authoritie vnto his doctrine. And that he doth two wayes: first, whiles hee affirmeth his calling vnto the Apostleship. Secondly, when hee teacheth that the same calling is not strange from the Churche of Rome. For it was both very expedient that he should be an Apostle by the calling of God, and also knowen to bee appoynted to the Church of Rome.
- 1Acts 13.7.9.
- 2Paul had two names.Paule had two names.
- 3Paul two ways getteth authority to his doctrine.Paule two wayes getteth authority to his doctrine.
