Good topic Joe,
really gives you a better understanding of Paul.
I think Paul was being prepared all his life, for the very purpose, of spreading the gospel to the Gentiles,
and now to us by the scripture.
As Gena said,
He was a Roman citizen, could read & write, parents were well off, intelligent, single. He did have a good resume for an author!
I believe God had caused Paul to be trained or educated,
and then to experience what he needed to know,
so that he was able to do what was necessary, to carry out the work that he was given to do.
He was familiar with the Gentiles, even if it was through persecuting them.
He really had to be made humble,
to turn around and go to the very ones he had persecuted so badly,
and now teach them the gospel and show them he really loved them.
Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you gentiles.
v.2 Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God's grace that was given to me on your behalf,
v.3 and how this secret was made known to me through a revelation, just as I wrote about briefly in the past.
v.4 By reading this, you will be able to grasp my understanding of the secret about Christ,
v.5 which in previous generations was not made known to human beings as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets:
v.6 The gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow sharers of what was promised in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
v.7 I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which He gave me through the working of His power. (Acts 9:3-6 His convertion on the road to Damascus)
v.8 I am less than the least of all God's people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, v.9 and of making
all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages,
v.13 I beg you, then, not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; it is all for your benefit.
This gives us a lot to consider, Paul truly had great understanding given him.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat