This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
Some of the warmest letters in the Bible were written by a man who once hunted down Christians and had them thrown into prison. Paul never pretended otherwise. Late in his life, writing to a young friend named Timothy, he brought it up himself.