[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fuIoAz3Omkz90XQRBuTCHKlCcuWc_TTnuTICTyXsNZjU":3,"$fji2qgpbG8KEMI5VtwFk65DINR-Dv2ya0sOkBM1hrVPI":14},{"author":4,"tags":13},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":10,"slug":11,"image_url":12},17577,"Apostle Paul","A",7,"The first century of the common era was a period of intense religious activity across the Mediterranean, when missionaries and theologians carried new teachings along the routes of a connected ancient world. Into this era Paul was born, around the year 5, in Tarsus, and he would go on to become one of the most consequential religious figures of his age.\n\nA rabbi, theologian, apostle, and missionary, Paul worked in several capacities at once. He was also an artisan and a traveler, and his citizenship was that of Ancient Rome. He used multiple languages in the course of his life and work — Koine Greek, Ancient Greek, Latin, and Hebrew — moving through a world in which facility across linguistic traditions was a practical necessity for anyone engaged in the spread of religious teaching.\n\nThe written record attributed to Paul is gathered in the Pauline epistles, a body of work that constitutes the primary textual legacy of his activity as a writer and missionary. These texts represent Paul working simultaneously as a theologian and as an apostle engaged in spreading the teachings of Jesus throughout the first century, the role for which he is identified in the historical record as Paul, the Apostle, Saint.\n\nThe precise date of Paul's death is uncertain, with sources placing it variously in 64, 65, or 66. What the record does consistently indicate is that he died in Rome — a long remove from Tarsus, the city of his birth. He had lived as a traveler and missionary, a rabbi and writer, a citizen of Ancient Rome who used the languages of several traditions in the course of work that spanned much of the first century. His authorized designation remains Paul, the Apostle, Saint.","The first century of the common era was a period of intense religious activity across the Mediterranean, when missionaries and theologians carried new teachings along the routes of a connected ancient world. Into this era Paul was born, around the year 5, in Tarsus, and he would go on to become one of the most consequential religious figures of his age.","apostle-paul",null,[],{"quotes":15,"pagination":136},[16,29,38,59,85,107,126],{"id":17,"quote_text":18,"author_id":5,"source_id":19,"has_image":20,"author":21,"source":22,"quote_tag":23,"commentary":12},751933,"So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I'm not just shadow-boxing or playing around. (I Cor. 9:26)",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[24],{"id":25,"tag":26},3593143,{"id":27,"tag_name":28},69,"bible",{"id":30,"quote_text":31,"author_id":5,"source_id":19,"has_image":20,"author":32,"source":33,"quote_tag":34,"commentary":12},751767,"Offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual worship",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[35],{"id":36,"tag":37},3592744,{"id":27,"tag_name":28},{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":19,"has_image":20,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":12},673703,"Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[44,49,54],{"id":45,"tag":46},3391230,{"id":47,"tag_name":48},222,"inspirational",{"id":50,"tag":51},3391231,{"id":52,"tag_name":53},8422,"word-of-god",{"id":55,"tag":56},3391229,{"id":57,"tag_name":58},13925,"holy-bible",{"id":60,"quote_text":61,"author_id":5,"source_id":19,"has_image":20,"author":62,"source":63,"quote_tag":64,"commentary":12},524399,"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[65,70,75,80],{"id":66,"tag":67},2887465,{"id":68,"tag_name":69},25,"love",{"id":71,"tag":72},2887467,{"id":73,"tag_name":74},223,"wisdom",{"id":76,"tag":77},2887466,{"id":78,"tag_name":79},541,"music",{"id":81,"tag":82},2887464,{"id":83,"tag_name":84},2474,"language",{"id":86,"quote_text":87,"author_id":5,"source_id":19,"has_image":20,"author":88,"source":89,"quote_tag":90,"commentary":12},514244,"Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not eny anyone or anything. Love never boasts and it's never proud. Love is not rude, it's not self serving, self absorbed or conceited. Love is no t easily provoked to anger. It doesn't hold grudges nor does it keep records of who was right and who was wrong. Love does not consult with evil instead it rejoices in the truth. Love always protects. Love always trust. Love always hopes. Love always perseveres. And love never fails.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[91,94,99,102],{"id":92,"tag":93},2848148,{"id":68,"tag_name":69},{"id":95,"tag":96},2848150,{"id":97,"tag_name":98},211,"romance",{"id":100,"tag":101},2848147,{"id":47,"tag_name":48},{"id":103,"tag":104},2848151,{"id":105,"tag_name":106},32978,"valentines-day",{"id":108,"quote_text":109,"author_id":5,"source_id":19,"has_image":20,"author":110,"source":111,"quote_tag":112,"commentary":12},321779,"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”Ephesians 4:4-6 (King James Version)",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[113,116,121],{"id":114,"tag":115},1927545,{"id":47,"tag_name":48},{"id":117,"tag":118},1927541,{"id":119,"tag_name":120},254,"christian",{"id":122,"tag":123},1927547,{"id":124,"tag_name":125},634,"religious",{"id":127,"quote_text":128,"author_id":5,"source_id":19,"has_image":20,"author":129,"source":130,"quote_tag":131,"commentary":135},76515,"If for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":12},{},[132],{"id":133,"tag":134},526463,{"id":27,"tag_name":28},"**The Backstory**\n\nThis poignant quote is from 1 Corinthians 15:32, a letter written by Apostle Paul during his missionary journeys in the 1st century AD. At that time, Paul was facing intense persecution and hardship as he spread Christianity throughout the Mediterranean world. He had been imprisoned, beaten, and nearly executed on multiple occasions, yet continued to proclaim the Gospel.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nOn the surface, this quote appears to be a pragmatic acceptance of mortality, urging people to make the most of their time. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a profound philosophical nuance: Paul is highlighting the existential trade-off between investing in an uncertain afterlife and living in the present moment. He's suggesting that if one doubts the resurrection (a central tenet of Christianity), they should focus on enjoying life now, rather than holding out for a potential future reward.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nIn today's fast-paced, goal-oriented world, this mindset can be applied by embracing the concept of \"present-orientation.\" Rather than constantly deferring happiness or fulfillment until some unspecified future milestone (e.g., retirement, promotion, success), individuals can learn to find contentment and joy in the present moment. By doing so, they can cultivate a greater sense of well-being, reduce stress, and become more effective in their work and relationships.",{"currentPage":137,"totalPages":137,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":138},1,10]