Sergius Paulus

Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Cyprus, was an intelligent man who sought to hear the word of God and believed after witnessing Paul's confrontation with Elymas the sorcerer.

Sergius Paulus, mentioned in Act 13:7, was the proconsul of Cyprus during Paul's first missionary journey. He is described as an intelligent man who summoned Barnabas and Saul (Paul) because he desired to hear the word of God. However, Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted Elymas and temporarily blinded him, which led to Sergius Paulus believing, being astonished at the teaching about the Lord. This event marked a significant moment in Paul's ministry, as it demonstrated the power of the gospel to overcome spiritual opposition and reach even high-ranking officials.

A “prudent man” (R.V., “man of understanding”), the deputy (R.V., “proconsul”) of Cyprus (Acts 13:6-13). He became a convert to Christianity under Paul, who visited this island on his first mission to the heathen.

A remarkable memorial of this proconsul was recently (1887) discovered at Rome. On a boundary stone of Claudius his name is found, among others, as having been appointed (A.D. 47) one of the curators of the banks and the channel of the river Tiber. After serving his three years as proconsul at Cyprus, he returned to Rome, where he held the office referred to. As he is not saluted in Paul’s letter to the Romans, he probably died before it was written.