Was St Paul Jewish

Answer 1

Technically, to be "Jew-ISH" is merely to take on the beliefs and practices of those of the tribe of JUDAH [from which, strictly speaking, the nickname JEW is derived].

A Jew is, technically simply, a blood-descendant of the tribe of Judah. So, from this perspective [a perspective of which the world in general is neither aware nor cares] Paul was NOT A JEW. Paul was a BENJAMITE... [Benja-MIN-ite?] a blood-descendant of the tribe of Benjamin:

"...For I also am an ISRAELITE, a son of ABRAHAM, a MEMBER OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN." (Rom.11:1 MNT Montgomery New Testament)

However, Paul's commission from God was to the Jews [and all the other tribes of Israel... all the Israelites] as well as to the Gentiles. And in this capacity, Paul confesses to become whatever he needs to become, to gain some of both to Christ:

"What then is my pay? It is the satisfaction I get from preaching the Good News [gospel] without expense to anyone, never demanding my rights as a preacher. This means I am NOT BOUND TO OBEY PEOPLE just because they pay me, yet I HAVE BECOME A SERVANT OF EVERYONE so that I CAN BRING THEM TO CHRIST.

"When I am WITH THE JEWS, I BECOME ONE OF THEM so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jew-ISH Laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the Law, so that I can bring them to Christ.

"When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jew-ISH Law, I FIT IN WITH THEM AS MUCH AS I CAN. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I DO NOT DISCARD THE LAW OF GOD; I OBEY THE LAW OF CHRIST.

"When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I TRY TO FIND COMMON GROUND WITH EVERYONE so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News [gospel], and in doing so I enjoy its blessings." (I Cor.9:18-23 NLTNew Living Translation)

Paul told the Galatians [and since it is recorded in the Bible... also for us, today]:

"Let me put it another way. The Law was our guardian and teacher to lead us UNTIL CHRIST CAME. So now, through Faith in Christ, we are made Right with God. But now that Faith in Christ has come, we no longer need the Law as our guardian. So YOU ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD through Faith in Christ Jesus... There is NO LONGER JEW OR GENTILE, slave or free, male or female. For... YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. And now that YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, you are THE TRUE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM [through Faith in Christ we are all ISRAELITES!]. You are HIS HEIRS, and now ALL THE PROMISES GOD GAVE TO HIM [Abraham] BELONG TO YOU." (Gal.3:24-29 NLT)

Answer 2

Paul was Jewish (from the tribe of Benjamin) and in fact he was a Pharisee.

In Acts 21:39 Paul answered, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people."

Likewise, Paul said "I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees" in Acts 23:6.

Answer 3

Yes, Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin who remained with the tribe of Judah in the southern kingdom and the split. They became known collectively as Jews. Judah held the Sceptre promise of the coming Messiah where He predominantly preached and performed miracles until His Crucifixion and Resurrection had to centered on Jerusalem - God's Holy City and will be the New Earths as well.

On the other hand, the remaining 10 tribes called Israelites remained in the northern kingdom with both kingdoms using Hebrew as their primary language.

An old adage goes like this: All Jews are Israelites but not all Israelites are Jews. Today, however, most residents of Israel - Judah, Benjamin and a few othes - even perhaps a minority of Israelites consider the terms interchangeable - but their is a difference.

Answer 4

Jewish and Hebrew are the same thing. And yes, Paul was Jewish.