12 Connections Between Paul and Ezekiel

Throughout Scripture, God raises up prophetic voices who are marked by divine encounter, spiritual commissioning, and courageous obedience. Two such figures — Ezekiel the prophet and the Apostle Paul — stand out not only for their profound theological impact, but also for their similar spiritual trajectories.

Some scholars believe Paul, a former Pharisee, belonged to a mystical Jewish sect that emphasized the throne-room visions of Ezekiel — particularly the Merkabah (chariot) experience described in Ezekiel 1. Whether or not Paul was formally a part of this sect, his life and theology bear undeniably striking parallels to Ezekiel’s. Both men were radically shaped by supernatural encounters and called to be messengers of God in turbulent times.

The following are 12 compelling connections between Paul and Ezekiel that reveal a shared prophetic DNA rooted in encounter, suffering, and divine commission.

Both Had an Experiential Encounter with the Living God

Ezekiel 1 records a throne-room vision in which Ezekiel sees the glory of the Lord seated above the cherubim. Similarly, in Acts 9, Paul encounters the risen Christ in blinding glory on the road to Damascus. These experiences were not theological abstractions — they were visceral, transformative events that marked the beginnings of their ministries.

Both Were Commissioned Directly by God, Not by Man

Ezekiel 2 shows God commissioning Ezekiel to speak to a rebellious nation. Likewise, Paul insists in Galatians 1 that he was not sent by man but through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Their authority came from Heaven, not human institutions.

Both Were Willing to Be Rejected and Persecuted by Their Own People

Ezekiel was sent to a “rebellious house” and warned that people would resist his message (Ezekiel 3). God said Paul would suffer much for His Name (Acts 9:16), and Paul recounts in 2 Corinthians 11 that he was beaten, stoned, and imprisoned — often at the hands of his own countrymen — for preaching the Gospel.

Both Lost Their Earthly Privileges to Fulfill Their Call

Ezekiel lay on his side for over a year, symbolizing judgment on Israel — forsaking personal comfort to obey God. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9 that he gave up his rights and privileges so that he might win others for Christ. Both embodied sacrificial obedience.

Both Preached the Whole Counsel of God

Ezekiel was warned that if he failed to preach what God told him, the people’s blood would be on his hands (Ezekiel 3). Paul echoes this in Acts 20:26–27, writing, “I am innocent of the blood of all men, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”

Both Functioned as Watchmen Who Interceded for God’s People

Ezekiel was appointed a watchman to warn the people (Ezekiel 3 and 33). Paul frequently described his burden for the church, writing in 1 Thessalonians and elsewhere that he prayed “night and day” for the believers. Both were burdened intercessors as well as preachers.

Both Rebuked Wayward Elders

In Ezekiel 8–11, the prophet is shown the idolatry of the elders in the temple and rebukes them for leading Israel astray. Paul similarly confronts the High Priest (Acts 23:3), Peter, and the elders at Antioch in Galatians 2, publicly correcting them for hypocrisy. He and Ezekiel both had the courage to call leaders to account.

Both Presented a Vision of God’s True Temple

Ezekiel 40–47 outlines a breathtaking vision of a restored, heavenly temple marked by order, holiness, and the flow of life-giving water. Paul speaks in Galatians 4 and throughout his epistles of the church as the new true temple, the dwelling place of God by the Spirit, that brings the Gospel to the world, fulfilling the image Ezekiel saw.

Both Were Carried by the Spirit in Revelation and Mission

Ezekiel was repeatedly “lifted up by the Spirit” and shown prophetic visions (Ezekiel 3:14, 8:3). Likewise, Paul was caught up to the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12, receiving inexpressible revelations. Their ministries were not just based on reason, but on divine movement and vision.

Both Ministered Under the Weight of Divine Responsibility

Ezekiel bore the guilt of the people if he failed to warn them, a theme repeated often in his prophecies. Paul bore a daily burden for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28), expressing profound anguish for Israel’s lostness (Romans 9). Both carried spiritual responsibility as intercessors and shepherds.

Both Confronted Idolatry in God’s House

Ezekiel saw idolatrous images in the temple and rebuked the leaders for tolerating spiritual compromise (Ezekiel 8). Paul warned against false teachers, legalists, and those whose god was their belly (Philippians 3:1-19). They both cleansed the house of God with their preaching.

Both Were Defined by a Theology of the Glory of God

Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry began with a vision of God’s glory and ends with a temple from which life flows. Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 4 that the light of the knowledge of the glory of God is seen in the face of Christ. Both men were captivated by divine glory and called to reflect it in a dark world.

In conclusion, may the Lord raise up a company of people like Ezekiel and Paul in this generation who will turn multitudes back to the Lord Jesus.

Dr. Joseph Mattera is an internationally known author, consultant, and theologian whose mission is to influence leaders who influence culture. He is the founding pastor of Resurrection Church, and leads several organizations, including The U.S. Coalition of Apostolic Leaders and Christ Covenant Coalition. He also is the author of 13 bestselling books, including his latest The Global Apostolic Movement and the Progress of the Gospel, and is renowned for applying Scripture to contemporary culture.