# Pauline

/pɔˈɫin/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pauline
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. relating to Saint Paul

adjective · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

relating to the life, letters, or religious ideas of Paul the Apostle.

For teachers: pertaining to Paul the Apostle, his canonical epistles, or the theological system derived from his writings.

- The professor gave a lecture on Pauline theology and its influence on the early church.
- Scholars often debate the authorship of certain Pauline epistles, citing stylistic differences between the undisputed letters and the pastoral ones.

Usage: Always capitalized as it is derived from a proper name.

### 2. a follower or member

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a person who follows the teachings of Saint Paul or a member of a religious group named after him.

For teachers: a member of a religious order or a follower of the doctrines associated with Paul the Apostle.

- The Paulines are a religious group dedicated to spreading the gospel through modern media.
- As a Pauline, he dedicated his life to the study of the New Testament and the expansion of the mission.

Usage: Usually capitalized; can refer to specific Catholic orders like the Society of St. Paul.

## Examples

- The professor gave a lecture on Pauline theology.
- Scholars often debate the authorship of certain Pauline epistles based on their unique linguistic style.
- The seminar focused on the Pauline concept of grace and how it fundamentally reshaped early Christian thought in the first century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.