Editing Paul the Apostle (section)

===Self-view===
In the opening verses of Romans 1,<ref>{{Bibleverse|Romans|1}}</ref> Paul provides a litany of his own apostolic appointment to preach among the Gentiles<ref>{{Bibleverse|Galatians|1:16}}</ref> and his post-conversion convictions about the risen Christ.{{sfn|Sanders|2019}} Paul described himself as set apart for the gospel of God and called to be an apostle and a servant of Jesus Christ. Jesus had revealed himself to Paul, just as he had appeared to Peter, to James, and to the twelve disciples after his resurrection.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Corinthians|9:1}}</ref> Paul experienced this as an unforeseen, sudden, startling change, due to all-powerful grace, not as the fruit of his reasoning or thoughts.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Galatians|1:12–15}}, {{Bibleverse|1 Corinthians|15:10}}</ref>

Paul also describes himself as afflicted with "a [[thorn in the flesh]]";<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Corinthians|12:7}}</ref> the nature of this "thorn" is unknown.<ref>{{cite book|title=The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version With The Apocrypha |edition=4th |editor-last1=Coogan |editor-first1=Michael D. |editor-last2=Brettler |editor-first2=Marc Z. |editor-last3=Newsom |editor-first3=Carol A. |editor-last4=Perkins |editor-first4=Pheme |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |date=2010 |chapter=The Second Letter Of Paul To The Corinthians |page=2038 |quote=[Footnote 7] Nature of the ''thorn'' is unknown.}}</ref>

There are debates as to whether Paul understood himself as commissioned to take the gospel to the gentiles at the moment of his conversion.{{sfn|Horrell|2006|p=30}} Before his conversion he believed his persecution of the church to be an indication of his zeal for his religion;<ref name="Bibleref2|Philippians|3:6">{{Bibleverse|Philippians|3:6}}</ref> after his conversion he believed Jewish hostility toward the church was sinful opposition, that would incur God's wrath.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Thessalonians|2:14–16}}</ref>{{sfn|Powell|2009|p=236}} Paul believed he was halted by Christ, when his fury was at its height.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Acts|9:1–2}}</ref> It was "through zeal" that he persecuted the Church,<ref name="Bibleref2|Philippians|3:6"/> and he obtained mercy because he had "acted ignorantly in unbelief".<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Timothy|1:13}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|name="disputed"}}