Thank you for the question on the reason why Saul of Tarsus changed his name to Paul, “Why did Paul the Apostle change his name from Saul of Tarsus to Paul The Apostle?”
Here are some thoughts for one’s consideration:
A. Saul of Tarsus may have wanted to use his Greek-Roman name to gain greater access to the Greek-Roman world. He would be considered as one of them.
I Corinthians 9 says this, “19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (NIV).
B. Saul of Tarsus knew that if he kept his Jewish name, the Gentiles may think that he was converting them to Judaism. He would avoid being considered one of the Jewish proselytizers.
Galatians 5 says this, “Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?”(NIV).
C. Saul of Tarsus knew that if he kept his Jewish name, the Gentile authorities may question or deny his rights as a Roman citizen. He would have easier access to his Roman rights as a Roman citizen by using his Greek-Roman name.
Acts 16 and Acts 22–25, Paul cites his Roman citizenship to protect himself. Acts 25 says this, “Then Paul made his defense, “I have done nothing against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar…But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar” (NIV).
It would seem reasonable that Saul of Tarus wanted the most open doors for him to preach the Gospel of salvation to the Gentiles. He didn’t want to be introduced as a Jew first which may turn off some of the Gentile listeners. See Acts 19:23–34.
Summary: Saul of Tarsus may have wanted to remove any barriers that kept the Gentiles from hearing the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ.
-Kingston