Why did people say Paul was turning the world upside down?
People said Paul was turning the world upside down because his Gospel preaching in pagan cities produced many converts, creating such a powerful impact that the Roman world viewed him as overturning the empire's established order. As one pastor noted, it was actually the other way around—he was turning it right side up.
Les explains that Paul could enter a pagan city full of statues, gods, goddesses, and attendant immorality and preach that God came in the flesh, went to the cross, and was raised from the dead—and they believed it. It was a wonder of wonders. Because he had so many converts, they accused him of turning the Roman world upside down. One pastor said it was just the other way around: they turned it right side up. The impact of this one man's preaching the Gospel was so great that the world in general said he was turning the empire upside down.