In | Paul the Mentor

Paul believes he was “shown mercy” in part for the purpose of guiding other lost people to Christ. The fact that he was “the worst of sinners” made him an ideal candidate for “displaying the immense patience of Jesus Christ” to new believers. Paul’s past makes him an “example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” And for someone like Timothy—who had a Greek father and a Jewish mother—Paul’s own experiences uniting Jews and gentiles would have been an invaluable resource for finding his identity in Christ without rejecting his Jewish heritage, or giving in to the temptation of “Judaizing” Christian faith.