S.Paulus (BM 1877,0811.632) - Public domain portrait engraving

Plate 3: St Paul holding a sword, half-length. c.1630s
Engraving

According to the New Testament, Paul, who was originally known as Saul, was a devout Jew and a zealous opponent of the Christian Church. However, on the road to Damascus, Paul had a vision of Jesus, who revealed himself to him and called him to be an apostle. After his conversion, Paul became one of the greatest missionaries of the early Church and is credited with establishing many Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean world. The sword he is depicted holding symbolizes his earlier life as a persecutor and his later life as a defender of the faith.