Before his conversion Paul had regarded himself as blameless "touching the righteousness which is in the law." Philippians 3:6. But since his change of heart he had gained a clear conception of the mission of the Saviour as the Redeemer of the entire race, Gentile as well as Jew, and had learned the difference between a living faith and a dead formalism. In the light of the gospel the ancient rites and ceremonies committed to Israel had gained a new and deeper significance. That which they shadowed forth had come to pass, and those who were living under the gospel dispensation had been freed from their observance. God's unchangeable law of Ten Commandments, however, Paul still kept in spirit as well as in letter.

Før sin omvendelse havde Paulus betragtet sig selv som udadlelig "efter lovretfærdighedens krav." Fil. 3,6. Men siden sin sindsforandring havde han fået en klar opfattelse af Frelserens udsendelse som forsoner for hele menneskeheden, hedninger såvel som jøder, og havde lært at forstå forskellen mellem levende tro og død formalisme. I lys af evangeliet havde de gamle forskrifter og ceremonier, der var oprettet for Israel, fået en ny og dybere betydning. Det, som de havde været et dunkelt forbillede på, var nu sket, og de, som levede under evangeliets frigjorthed, var blevet fritaget for at overholde dem. Men Guds uforanderlige lov i de ti bud overholdt Paulus både åndeligt og bogstaveligt.