Canon Status
Not canonical in any tradition. Widely read in the early Church.
Date & Provenance
Composed in Greek in the mid-2nd century CE.
Language & Manuscripts
Greek, Coptic, Syriac, and Latin manuscripts. The work dates to the 2nd century CE.
Why It Matters for Study
Presents Paul's travels, miracles, and martyrdom. Important for understanding the development of Pauline tradition and the history of the apocryphal Acts.
" And Paul said, I am a citizen of Tarsus, and I am a follower of Christ." — Acts of Paul (paraphrase)
Read the Text & External Resources
Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.
- Acts of Paul — Early Christian Writings Full translation and scholarly resources.
- Acts of Paul — Sacred Texts Public-domain translation.
External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.
Further Reading
Elliott, J. K. The Apocryphal New Testament. Oxford, 1993.
Schneemelcher, W. New Testament Apocrypha. Westminster John Knox, 1991.
Bovon, F. " The Acts of Paul." In The Apocryphal Acts of Apostles. Scholars Press, 1991.