Emily Dickinson Lexicon

Paul, proper n. [OFr < L. Paúlos, 'small,' 'humble'.]

Saul of Tarsus (A.D. 10?-67?); son of a Jewish mother and a Roman father; early first-century Pharisee; persecutor of Christians; man who was converted after seeing a vision of the resurrected Christ (see Acts 9:3-9); Christian apostle who was released from prison by an angel and also by an earthquake (see Acts 16:23-26); preaching companion of Silas; Christian martyr put to death in Rome; (see ED's letters).