The Jewish Context of Paul’s Gentile Mission

Abstract

Luke consistently portrays Paul going first to a synagogue to preach when entering a new location and only later turning to the Gentiles. Many scholars contest this depiction, claiming that the apostle to the Gentiles would not have preached to Jews. Luke’s portrayal of Paul on this point, therefore, must be a product of Luke’s theology rather than a reflection of Paul’s actual practice. On the basis of evidence drawn from the argument of Romans, this essay contends that Paul’s apostleship consisted of bringing the Gentile peoples alongside the Jewish people as one people in united praise of God. As such, the nature of Paul’s task necessitated working with Jews whenever possible. Such an understanding of Paul’s calling not only requires rethinking common understandings of what ‘apostle to the Gentiles’ meant, it also lends credence to Luke’s depiction of Paul’s missionary practice.