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And that is the whole point of Paul. He described himself as the chief of sinners, saved PURELY by the grace of God. He said that "Beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and laid it waste".(Gal. 1:13). He was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious. 1 Tim. 1:13. Where God's wrath should have been poured out on Saul, God's mercy was poured out instead. Saul was Christ's bitterest enemy on earth, yet the Lord dealt with him in grace. Instead of judging him, He saved him.

Which is the ministry Paul was given by the risen Christ. To proclaim reconciliation between God and man purely on the finished work of Christ. Grace.

Paul knew he was deserving of NOTHING but God's wrath for the things he had done to the Kingdom Church of believers. Without the grace of God, Paul was nothing.

And that is the gospel of the grace of God. That we ALL are nothing without the finished work of Christ on our behalf. We are deserving of nothing but God's wrath. But while we were yet enemies of God, Christ died for us. This is why Paul says "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in ME FIRST Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING." 1 Tim. 1:16.

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 1 Tim. 1:15.

Perhaps that is why he considered himself the be the least of the apostles.