In brief
Sergius Paulus is the Roman proconsul of Cyprus when Barnabas and Saul reach Paphos on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:6-12). Luke presents him as “a man of understanding” who summons the two envoys and “sought to hear the word of God.” A sorcerer in his circle, Elymas, tries to turn him from the faith; Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, strikes Elymas with temporary blindness. The proconsul, seeing what was done, believes, “astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” He is the first Roman governor whose faith the Bible records.
What does the name Sergius Paulus mean?
Sergius Paulus is a Roman name: Sergius is his family name and Paulus, “small” in Latin, his surname. The Bible does not explain its meaning. Luke begins calling Saul “Paul” in this same account (Acts 13:9), but the text draws no link between the two names: it is a simple observation, not a biblical explanation.
The story of Sergius Paulus
Sent by the Holy Spirit to Cyprus
Acts 13:4-6Barnabas and Saul, “sent out by the Holy Spirit,” sail for the island of Cyprus with John as their attendant. They proclaim God’s word in the synagogues of Salamis, then go through the whole island to Paphos. There they find a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar Jesus, who is with the proconsul. For the first time the mission reaches the top of the Roman administration.
A proconsul of understanding who wants to hear the word
Acts 13:7Luke describes Sergius Paulus as “a man of understanding.” This governor summons Barnabas and Saul and “sought to hear the word of God.” He does not call two traveling preachers out of political curiosity: he wants to hear what God says. His understanding does not make him wary of the gospel; it drives him to seek.
Elymas tries to turn him from the faith
Acts 13:8-11Elymas the sorcerer opposes them, “seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.” Saul, also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastens his eyes on him and denounces a “son of the devil” and “enemy of all righteousness.” He announces that the hand of the Lord is on him and that he will be blind for a season. At once a mist and darkness fall on the sorcerer, who goes around seeking someone to lead him.
The proconsul believes
Acts 13:12“Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” Luke does not say that Sergius Paulus believes because of the miracle alone: it is the teaching of the Lord that astonishes him. The judgment on Elymas confirms the word proclaimed. Paul and his company then sail from Paphos for Pamphylia, leaving a believing governor behind in Cyprus.
What Sergius Paulus teaches us
- Intelligence is no obstacle to faith: Sergius Paulus wanted to hear the word of God, and he believed.
- Around people who seek God there is often opposition; pray that nothing will turn away from the faith those to whom you witness.
- God can reach the powerful as well as the lowly: do not hold back from speaking to someone of high rank.
- It was the teaching of the Lord that astonished the proconsul, not only the miracle: feed on the Word, for it is what builds your faith.
Key verses
A Roman governor, described as a man of understanding, summons Barnabas and Saul because he wants to hear the word of God. A thirst for truth opens the door to the gospel.
The proconsul believes, astonished at the teaching of the Lord. The miracle he saw confirms the word, but it is the teaching that touches his heart.
Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, unmasks the sorcerer who wants to pervert “the right ways of the Lord.” The witness to the gospel does not let opposition turn away someone who is seeking God.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Sergius Paulus
Frequently asked questions
Who was Sergius Paulus in the Bible?
Sergius Paulus is the Roman proconsul of the island of Cyprus during the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:6-12). Luke describes him as a man of understanding who wants to hear the word of God. Despite the opposition of the sorcerer Elymas, he believes, astonished at the teaching of the Lord. He is the first converted Roman governor mentioned in the Bible.
Why did Sergius Paulus believe?
The text gives two elements: he saw what happened to the sorcerer Elymas, struck blind at Paul’s word, and he was “astonished at the teaching of the Lord” (Acts 13:12). The miracle confirms the word, but it is the teaching about Jesus that touches this man who was already seeking to hear the word of God.
Where is Sergius Paulus found in the Bible?
Sergius Paulus appears only once, in Acts 13:4-12, during the Cyprus stage of the first missionary journey. The account is set in Paphos and features Barnabas, Saul who is also called Paul, the sorcerer Bar Jesus or Elymas, and the proconsul who ends up believing.