The meaning of Παῦλος
Posted: November 2nd, 2013, 10:03 pm
James F. McGrath told me (via Facebook IM) that παῦλος is an adjective meaning "small". I haven't been able to find it in LSJ or BDAG. Is this true?
How popular was the name Παῦλος in the ancient world?
Is it possible that Φ still had the hard P sound (Puh) in Paul's day (and location), and would have been easily confused with Π ? Causing παῦλος and φαῦλος to sound practically the same?
If so...is it possible that Σαυλος called himself Φαῦλος/Παῦλος after his conversion in an act of piety? φαῦλος = one that is morally inferior
He does say in Romans 7:24 "ταλαίπωρος ἐγὼ ἄνθρωπος· τίς με ῥύσεται ἐκ τοῦ σώματος τοῦ θανάτου τούτου;"
How popular was the name Παῦλος in the ancient world?
Is it possible that Φ still had the hard P sound (Puh) in Paul's day (and location), and would have been easily confused with Π ? Causing παῦλος and φαῦλος to sound practically the same?
If so...is it possible that Σαυλος called himself Φαῦλος/Παῦλος after his conversion in an act of piety? φαῦλος = one that is morally inferior
He does say in Romans 7:24 "ταλαίπωρος ἐγὼ ἄνθρωπος· τίς με ῥύσεται ἐκ τοῦ σώματος τοῦ θανάτου τούτου;"