1:13 a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. Before his conversion Paul persecuted the church (Acts 8:3; 9:1–5; 22:4, 5; 26:9, 11; Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6).

because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief. God did not grant Paul what he deserved, but what he needed (cf. Acts 3:17–20).