I think that I've read somewhere that Paul stayed for several years in Tarsus after he had been baptized and before Barnabas came and picked him up. I used to believe that he was sharing his faith with the Tarsians during that period. I am sure it isn't necessary to share our faith with people at all times. For example, Jesus was alone in the desert for forty days. The disciples do not seem to have reached out much -- other than to the fish! -- immediately after the death of Jesus, until the Holy Spirit came. But did Paul really refrain from evangelism for years? What is your perspective? -- Tobias Lindberg
The entire question about whether he shared his faith in Tarsus or not is interesting, but there seems to be an underlying question. (I.e., "Is it a sin for a Christian not to share his faith for a certain period of time?" Or possibly, "How many days can I go without sharing about Jesus without being in sin?") The Lord does not judge us on the basis of the number of people we speak to, nor does he have quotas for us to meet. Having said that, let me address your query.
Paul spent several years in Arabia and Damascus (Galatians 1:17-18). It seems he went there not just for a time of spiritual growth, but to fulfill his commission: to speak the gospel to the non-Jews. Barnabas later finds Paul in Tarsus (Acts 11:25) and together they work in the ministry to the Antiochenes. I do not believe for a minute that Paul refrained from evangelism for a period of years!
For more on this, please see Ben Witherington III, The Paul Quest: The Renewed Search for the Jew of Tarsus (Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 1998). It is an excellent volume. You will also appreciate Witherington's appendix on the chronology of the life of Paul.
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