1:12–17 · Paul as trophy of grace: Refusing at first to believe that Jesus was the living personification of Israel’s hopes (“I acted in ignorance and unbelief” [1:13]), Paul showed himself to be among those who were not righteous. Despite his claim to zeal for God (see Gal. 1:13–14), his hatred for Jesus had numbered him among those the law condemned. His language of self-condemnation here is exceptionally strong. His opposition to Jesus made him a “blasphemer” against God. He calls himself “a violent man,” using a term suggesting insolence and arrogance.Solemnly, Paul names himself “worst of sinners” (1:16). When writing his early, “great epistles,” Paul felt it sufficient to acknowledge himself “least o…