Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free

by F.F. Bruce

This is a biography of Paul by one of the foremost Pauline scholars of our time. While Bruce's primary concern is to portray the life of the apostle Paul, he also examines the main themes of Paul's thought, set in their historical background and illustrated from his letters.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Biography, Christian, Christianity, New Testament, Religion

510 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1969

About the author

Frederick Fyvie Bruce FBA was a Biblical scholar who supported the historical reliability of the New Testament. His first book, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (1943), was voted by the American evangelical periodical Christianity Today in 2006 as one of the top 50 books "which had shaped evangelicals".

Reviews

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A template for similar works. Everything you would want out of a study of this nature. Bruce’s work on the life of Paul is in-depth and a creative way to work through the life of the apostle. I admit at first I wondered how a book bigger than my Bible was going to go through half of half of the Bible. I anticipated fluff but Bruce leaves none. It seems like a novel where the city and monographs are characters themselves.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent historical biography of Paul. Cedes too much to critical scholarship at parts. Otherwise great resource for historical context as studying Paul.

[Sherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So...when you write a book, particularly a historical book, it is very important to make it clear whether this is a book for laymen or a book for serious students of the subject. This book does not do that AT ALL. It goes back and forth between explaining the simplest of concepts in details and leaving very complex ideas open ended. There are several places where the author mentions Latin or Greek words without giving any sort of definition for them which makes the context of the sentence incomprehensible. While there was some good information about the historical Paul of Tarsus to be gathered from this book, it required wading through way too much crap to be worthwhile.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

A traditional, conservative overview of the life and letters of the Apostle Paul. Bruce was a great scholar and this book, characterized by what you might call sanctified precision, contains a good number of deep, helpful observations.

One downside: Many of the chapters in this book were originally published as articles in journals and magazines. It reads much like the conglomaration that it is.

This is the textbook for "Life of Paul," a course I teach at Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas.

[Scott Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful in-debth look at the Apostle Paul. It goes through his theology and his life folding them together in to a very well rounded look at him. Using his life as the framework...you bring in the letters at the times he would have written them. Then goes deep into the subjects that he writes about in each of the letters.

Also a very convicting book in that we see what someone who is completely sold out is willing to endure and do for the sake of the Gospel.

[Victoria Hinman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruce gives a beautiful, theologically-heavy and extremely pertinent view on the inner-workings of Paul. It's a fascinating book about the Apostle who changed the course of human history, and Bruce has no fear explaining his faults as well as his strengths. Hundreds of sources are referenced, as well we great introductions to a variety of off-topics.

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sin duda una increíble pieza de trabajo de F.F. Bruce, una obra académica que no debe dejarse de leer. Impresionante, completo y motivador al mismo tiempo, invita al lector a involucrarse en el marco histórico y espiritual en el que vivió el apóstol Pablo. Definitivamente un Must Read

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic for any Pastor reading or studying Pauline Epistles. I read it in1985, and have gone back to it time and time again in my continuing studies of the PaulineEpistles

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still the best single volume book on the apostle Paul in the English language.

[Brock Meier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this wonderful book 4 stars instead of 5, probably due more to my own inadequacies as a reader, than due to deficiencies in the book itself.

Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, while not written specifically as an academic work, might seem to be just that. But Bruce’s style of writing in this considerable volume is deeply personal rather than technical, and his aim is to introduce the reader (can a 500-page tome be called an introduction?) to the historic man Sha’ul/Paul, for whom Bruce clearly bears a warm affection.

Bruce’s plunge into the life of Paul is not for the faint of heart. I started reading it a few years ago, and then halfway through had to shelve it. The book is so dense (not as in “obtuse”, but in density of thought and information) that my brain was on the verge of exploding. While there are certainly some unknowns about the life of Paul, there is also a deep well of what can be known about him. Not only the biblical record of his journeys and letters give rich insight into the man, but there also exists a vast pool of records from the Jewish, Greek, and Roman worlds which directly impinge upon his history. Bruce does an exacting job of fitting together the 10,000 pieces of this jigsaw puzzle, amply supported by voluminous footnotes. And once the puzzle is complete, the picture it exhibits is colorful, engaging, wondrous and full of rich detail.

I mentioned that Bruce expresses his affection for Paul. How can one develop an affection for someone who lived twenty centuries ago, and who has such bad press these days? In my own reading and study of Paul’s letters, as well as the biographical information supplied by his traveling companion Luke, I also, have gained an appreciation for this man. His dogged devotion to the truth, his warm acceptance and appreciation of those he counted as brothers and sisters, and his intellectual rigor mark the man as someone I would very much like to know. And most of all, his genuine humility, and sincerest sorrow for his previous way of life endear him to me.

In my own lifetime, there has been something of a deprecatory mythology that has grown up around Paul. In actual fact, the man fully invested his life in offering the same sweeping freedom thrust upon him, to as many as would hear it. While now castigated as a misogynist, in fact, he counted women among his most valued co-workers, trusted advisors, and dearest friends. Even a superficial reading of his letters makes that plain.

If you have an interest in understanding the rich life of this man Saul of Tarsus, I don’t think you could do better than picking up Bruce’s exhaustive exploration into the man’s life. But be forwarned: it truly is like drinking from a fire-hose.

[Sean Meade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened to finish this book at the same time as I was also reading Allen's Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours? and Bruce's The Book of the Acts. These three went together really well and helped to reinforce one another. Bruce is especially good at making connections between Acts and the Gospels (places where Jesus's experience was similar to Paul) and to Paul's letters. He also does a good job of writing about situations he thinks were reasonably likely (while still including the doubts) and not spending much time on speculations he regards as too far-fetched.

[Zdenek Sykora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free by F.F. Bruce is a classic that I had the opportunity to read during my university studies as part of my voluntary reading. It was insightful to revisit some of the profound ideas and reflections of the main protagonist on Christianity. Bruce's detailed exploration of Paul’s life, mission, and theology offers a deep understanding of his influence on the early church and beyond. This book remains a timeless resource for anyone interested in the historical and spiritual dimensions of Christianity. An enriching read that I’m glad I explored during my academic years.

[Michael Vidrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, F.F. Bruce situates well Paul’s epistles in their historical contexts and gives a thorough exposition and commentary on the major themes of each epistle. Bruce has a particular concern with historical geography that I do not particularly care for, and at times, naively over-distinguishes the church communities of Peter and Paul, and the concepts of sanctification and justification. But this is nothing you wouldn’t expect from Bruce’s Protestant biased. Otherwise, Bruce is a very insightful and responsible scholar.

[Nate Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book that encompasses both the social and theological implications to the writings of Paul. In particular to note, Bruce appears to have an understanding that is opposed to the traditional viewpoiny, which is not bad in itself, but lays heavier weight to concepts that have been more recently developed as an understanding that the early readers understood. The flow and the structure of the book works chronologically through Acts, but is not an inherently easy read as each section is broken into differing perspectives that are not consistent between the chapters.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat encyclopedic in its presentation, this is a list of essays and presentations and chapters by the esteemed author, comprising the best of his works. Together, they cover all of Paul's travels and writing systematically, including discussions about various theories about his life.
The written during the mid late 20th century, Bruce still stands as a prominent figure on New Testament scholarship.

[Alper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a lot of good information. My expectation was that I was going to get a fresh look at Paul's heart for God. My favorite chapters were the ones comparing Jesus' theology to Paul's, as well as the historical Jesus in Paul. Unfortunately, I found the book very difficult to read, partly because of the flow and organization of the author's thoughts.

[Danny Barulli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Bruce provides a lot of background information on the life of Paul. There is a lot of insight into his letters, the book of Acts and the culture of 1st century Greco-roman world. I read the original 1977 (Paul: Apostle of the Free Spirit)

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of wonderful information about Paul, however, I found it somewhat hard to read. There were places where I found myself have to go back and re-read sections to really understand what was being said.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative biography of the apostle Paul by the dean of evangelical scholarship, F. F. Bruce. This book I have read and re-read many times. With great photos and maps tracing Paul's missionary journeys.

[Paul, · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for those studying Paul. F.F. Bruce was one of the world's premier scholars in Pauline studies, and was also a devout evangelical ... two qualities that have not often overlapped in the past century. This book is not overly dense with academic jargon. It can be read with enjoyment by an educated layman. Bruce does engage with some theories that are probably not worth engaging with, given their scant support among scholars. But, by and large, Bruce creates an engaging, believable portrait of the apostle Paul while keeping the reader informed of the gaps in our knowledge and the presuppositions he is making. Highly recommended.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

The range of his friendship and the warmth of [Paul's] affection are qualities which no attentive reader of his letters can miss. There are scores of people mentioned in the New Testament who are known to us, by name at least, simply because they were friends of Paul. And in his friends he was able to call forth a devotion which knew no limits. Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for him in a dangerous situation.9 Epaphroditus of Philippi overtaxed his strength and suffered an almost fatal illness in his anxiety to be of service to the imprisoned apostle.10 Timothy readily surrendered whatever personal ambitions he might have cherished in order to play the part of a son to Paul and help him in his missionary activity, showing a selfless concern for others that matched the apostle’s own eagerness to spend and be spent for them (p.535)

But Peter was no judaizer; in the company of Gentile Christians he was quite happy to live like a Gentile himself. Why, then, did he suddenly charge his course?

This question could be answered more adequately if Peter’s own account of the incident had been preserved alongside Paul’s, and more particularly if we knew exactly the part played by “certain men” who “came from James”. These are not identified by Paul with the “false brethren” whose infiltration he deplores; they appear rather to have been commissioned by James to deliver a personal message to Peter. One variant reading, indeed, refers in the singular to “a certain person” who “came from James”.10 The message conveyed to Peter could have been to the effect that news of his free and easy intercourse with Gentiles at Antioch had come to Jerusalem and was causing scandal to many good brethren there, besides hampering the mission in which James and others were engaged among their Jewish neighbours.11 The reported conduct of the prince of the apostles was being exploited by unsympathetic scribes and Pharisees to the detriment of the Christian cause in Judaea, and might even provoke violent reprisals from those militants who condemned fraternization with non-Jews as treasonable.12

It is not difficult to appreciate Peter’s dilemma, or to see how he could have defended his change of course. Though he could not emulate Paul’s versatility, he too was endeavouring to be “all things to all men” for the gospel’s sake.13 For him, as for Paul, the interests of the gospel were paramount, and if the interests of the gospel in Judaea were being prejudiced by his way of life in Antioch, he was prepared to alter that way of life. In his eyes, as in Paul’s, there was nothing in the non–ethical realm, such as food, which should be regarded as inherently “unclean”, but he might have decided, as Paul was to put it at a later date, “not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother stumble” (Romans 14:13–21). A major Jewish objection to eating with Gentiles was that, in doing so, one would almost certainly infringe the Jewish food-laws.14 If, then, Peter’s practice in Antioch was a stumbling-block to members of the Jerusalem church whose consciences were scrupulous and unemancipated, he might well think it right to discontinue it for their sakes.

Paul, for his part, was equally concerned on this occasion to safeguard the interests of the gospel and to avoid putting a stumbling-block in the path of his fellow-Christians. The aspect of the gospel that meant most to him was the Gentile mission, and the fellow-Christians whose interests he had most at heart were Gentile Christians. Whatever Peter’s motives were, Paul would have regarded them as negligible in comparison with the progress of the Gentile mission and the wellbeing of Gentile Christians. Even worse, if possible, than Peter’s action in itself was the effect of his example on other Jewish Christians, and when even Barnabas—the last man of whom it might have been expected—was persuaded to join in withdrawing from table-fellowship with Gentiles, what must the Gentile Christians have thought? They could draw only one conclusion: so long as they remained uncircumcised, they were at best second-class citizens in the new community. In that case they might either repudiate the message which (despite what Paul said) consigned them to second-class status in comparison with their fellow-believers of Jewish birth, or they might decide that (despite what Paul said) their best policy was to go the whole way of the proselyte and accept circumcision, (p.221-2)

[JH · Rating 3 out of 5]

To fully appreciate the book, one needs to have some academic background as the author delved in to numerous academic discussion. Probably not for beginners.

[John Aderogba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need the review of This book

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narrative theology of Paul, the man and his writings. Enthralling, insightful and enlightening. Highly recommended for all levels.

[Israel Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved his approach to the historical Paul

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for a better understanding of Paul

[J. R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earlier chapters of this work give the student of scripture much more insight into Paul and his writing than later chapters, but the whole work is important for scholars to study.

[Peter]

I suspect this is the best Bruce book.

From the preface: "I had not previously been a stranger to Paul's life and thought, but in the past eighteen years I have devoted more time and attention to this field of study than to any other."

It shows.

[Andy Herzfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul to me is my favorite Apostle. Jesus broke him and then used him in such a way to establish the early church among the Gentiles and spread Christianity world wide at the time thus glorifying Jesus in the process. Bruce does a great job with this book as he goes scripture by scripture detailing and explaining all the factors at work for and against Paul during his time on earth. This book requires a time investment and some determination to finish as this is packed with a lot of information.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

At a time when tweets pass as deep insight, it is refreshing to read F. F. Bruce, a scholar who immersed himself in Scripture and could expound on its theological significance in a broad historical context. His work on St. Paul provides valuable insight into his writings and the monumental impact they have had on mankind.

Paul’s conversion has been held up as one of greatest proofs of Christianity. A Jewish Pharisee who piously kept the law and zealously persecuted the early church, he was dramatically transformed on the road to Damascus by what Scripture says was an encounter with the risen Christ. Blinded and incapacitated for days, Paul emerges from the experience as one of the greatest apologists of all time. He abandons his elite standing in society to become a fearless ambassador of the gospel, enduring stoning, shipwrecks, beatings with rods, imprisonments, and finally beheading for his faith. He dismissed these sufferings as trivial compared to the unspeakable riches of Christ. His epistles lay out the new covenant of grace only made possible by the resurrection.

Paul was a mystic, claiming divine revelation through direct personal experience. But unlike mystics of other traditions, his message is not exclusive or indecipherable. It explains man’s way to God through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of which is “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”.

Paul’s revelation provided the theological foundation of the early church. It led to the conversion of Augustine and Martin Luther, who became two of the greatest Christian thinkers of all time, and has transformed the lives of countless others. It liberates the individual from both the curse of the law and the enslavement of sin. It explains the only source of true equality: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” And it lays the groundwork for self-government.

A famous commentator, when discussing a Roman emperor’s condemnation of the apostle, remarked: “the day was to come when men would call their dogs Nero and their sons Paul”. F.F. Bruce’s masterful work helps explain why this is so, providing a scholarly account of an apostle of Christ who changed the world.

[Mark Drinnenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's almost ridiculous for the likes of me to give this book by a giant of New Testament studies anything less than five stars, but I do have my reasons. The book, of course, is quite excellent. It is a very thorough study of the life of the Apostle Paul, and for those of us who read Paul's writings for the spiritual instruction we can discern from them, Bruce presents the flesh-and-blood man who was inspired by God to write those works. This inspires a fresh appreciation for Paul.

For the most part, this is an historical study--and it shines as such--but some of its best moments are when Bruce is describing Paul's heart for Christ. In those moments, it is as if Bruce has turned into a devotional writer. But, for the scholars out there, don't let that last sentence scare you away; the book is, in essence, top-flight scholarship.

My only reason for not giving this book five stars is that there are times when Bruce's massive knowledge on this subject, gained over decades of scholarly study, sometimes hits the page like a memory dump. It seems that he cannot mention a city to which Paul traveled without giving its history all the way back to its founding, with details abounding concerning who reigned when, the family line of each ruler, and to which empires the city belonged and when it belonged to them. Similar detail is given for nearly every person who is mentioned along the way. But fortunately, such sections only last a page or so each and are easily recognized and avoided. I understand their need to be in such a work, but they make for laborious reading for those who are not researching such things. Beyond that, though, this is a very strong work.