What is a timeline of Paul's life?

Outward privilegeBut no approvalConversion of Paularound 36 AD?First Mission Journeyaround 46 – 49 AD“Council of the Apostles”around 50 ADSecond Mission Journeyaround 51 – 54 ADFirst Epistle to Thessaloniansaround 52 ADSecond Epistle to Thessaloniansaround 52 AD(Epistle to Galatians?)around 52 ADThird Mission Journeyaround 54 – 58 ADFirst Epistle to Corinthiansaround 57 ADSecond Epistle to Corinthiansaround 57 AD(Epistle to Galatians?)around 57/58 ADEpistle to Romansaround 58 ADImprisonment in Jerusalemaround 58 ADCaptivity in Caesareaaround 58 – 60 ADJourney to Romearound 60/61 ADCaptivity in Romearound 61 – 63 ADEpistle to Ephesiansaround 61/62 ADEpistle to Colossiansaround 61/62 ADEpistle to Philemonaround 61/62 ADEpistle to Philippiansaround 63 ADRelease of Paularound 63 ADFirst Epistle to Timothyaround 63/64 ADEpistle to Titusaround 63/64 ADSecond Captivity in Romearound 66 – 67 ADSecond Epistle to Timothyaround 66/67 ADPaul's Deatharound 67 AD?

36-39.-At Damascus-preaches in the synagogue-goes into Arabia-returns to Damascus-flight from Damascus. His First Visit to Jerusalem, three years after his conversion. Thence to Tarsus (Acts 9:23-26; Gal. 1:18).

In chapter three we have spoken of the "conversion," and of the "apostleship" of Paul. We will now endeavour to trace his wonderful path, and note some of the prominent features of his labours. But, first of all, we would gather up what we know of him

Then the Lord Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, a city up in the north of Syria, far away from Jerusalem. The Lord caused Saul to turn completely round. (That is what "conversion" means.) This man who had been trying to destroy the good news, now began to tell it forth everywhere. But he did not go first to any man to learn this good news. If the Lord Jesus had met Saul near Jerusalem, men might have said, "The apostles in Jerusalem taught Saul the good news which he preaches." But there were no apostles at Damascus, and the Lord purposely chose to meet Saul near Damascus, not near Jerusalem. Paul tells us that he did not go up to Jerusalem until after "three years." (Gal. 1:18.)

From Acts 9 we learn that he made no delay, after his conversion, in confessing his faith in Christ to those that were around him. "Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogue, that He is the Son of God." This new testimony is specially worthy of notice. Peter had proclaimed Him as the exalted Lord and Christ; Paul proclaims Him in His higher and personal glory, as the Son of God. But the time for his public ministry had not yet come he had many things to learn, and, led of the Spirit, he retires into Arabia, remains there for three years, and returns to Damascus. (Gal. 1:17)

We all know, of course, the way that the Lord Jesus spoke to him on the Damascus road and temporarily blinded him. We know of Ananias's reluctance to go and see Saul when God told him to- because Saul's reputation had preceded him. We know also that Saul was truly saved and, it would seem, after witnessing in Damascus , spending time in Arabia , returning to Damascus , Saul then went to Jerusalem . Of course, his one wish was to find the believers. The trouble was that is exactly what they thought he would try to do.

What a thrill of joy must have gone through the blinded man's soul as he hears himself called "Brother Saul "! But a "brother" he was most truly, and at once begins to testify of Jesus. Driven out of Damascus by the fury of the Jews, who would have now slain him, Saul is dropped over the wall at night, and, when he gets to Jerusalem, finds his way into the assembly by the help of Barnabas. This event, I gather, took place some time later than the record in Acts 9: might, at first sight, lead one to think. Reference to Galatians 1 shows that it was not at the moment of his conversion that Saul went to Jerusalem. These are his words: "When it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in (not to) me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood; neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the, Lord's brother" (Gal. 1:15-19).

The New Testament does not contain any further indications regarding the life of the apostle Paul than what is said in the Pastoral Epistles. The end of Acts however would indicate that Paul has been released after two years of imprisonment in Rome. Afterwards he wrote the First Epistle to Timothy in 63/64 AD and the Epistle to Titus wherein he does not mention anything regarding imprisonment but instead mentions various places to travel to. He visited the assembly in Ephesus where he left Timothy behind (1 Tim. 1:3). He himself went on to Macedonia. During this time he told Titus, who was another co-worker, that he had the intention to winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). He once again visited Troas and maybe Ephesus as well (2 Tim. 4:12; 1 Tim. 3:14). From there he went to Milet and Corinth (2 Tim. 4:20) and was taken captive a second time. We do not know much about this though. He was brought to Rome again and condemned to death. It was from there that he wrote his last inspired testimony which was the Second Epistle to Timothy (autumn 66/67 AD). He was deserted by many but strengthened by his Lord.

There is much that speaks in favour of Paul's release after two years of imprisonment in Rome (as described by the end of Acts) around the year 63 AC. Hints to this effect can already be found in his Epistles to the Philippians (chap. 1:22-26; 2:24) and to Philemon (verse 22). According to the messages in the Pastoral Epistles he then came to Minor Asia, Crete and Greece (compare with 1 Tim. 1:3; 2 Tim. 4:13.20; Tit. 1:5; 3:12). Only hereafter Paul was again taken captive and condemned to death and executed in Rome.

As to Paul, the Acts of the Apostles closes with the apostle's having dwelt two whole years in his own hired house. There can be little doubt but that he was liberated, and took another missionary journey. When he wrote the Second Epistle to Timothy, he was again at Rome, and not apparently so comfortable a prisoner as when described in the end of the Acts; for he speaks of his chain, and says, "I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even unto bonds." To be a Christian had then been declared to be a crime, and Paul would fall under the condemnation. But he was sustained by his God. He wrote: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day." (2 Tim. 4:6-8.) He, as a Roman citizen, was beheaded. The date is not known, but it is put down at A.D. 66 or 68.