12.1

Chronology of Paul’s Life (Box 12.4)

A number of factors make exact dates difficult to determine. Here we look at the earliest and the latest dates that are typically suggested by Pauline scholars.

 

Earliest Date

Latest Date

Call to be an apostle of Christ

32

36

Initial time in Arabia and Damascus

32–35

36–39

First visit to Jerusalem

35

39

Interim years in Cilicia and Syria

35–45

40–45

Private meeting with church leaders

45

46

First missionary journey

46–48

46–49

Apostolic council

48

49

Second missionary journey

(includes one and a half years in Corinth)

49–51

50–52

Third missionary journey

(includes two and a half years in Ephesus)

52–57

54–58

Arrested in Jerusalem

57

58

Prisoner in Caesarea

57–59

58–60

Voyage to Rome

59–60

60–61

Prisoner in Rome

60–62

61–63

“Second career”

(not recognized by most scholars)

62–64

63–67

Death

62

67