Paul declared that in his unconverted state he had known Christ, not by personal acquaintance, but merely by the conception which he, in common with others, cherished concerning the character and work of the Messiah to come. He had rejected Jesus of Nazareth as an impostor because He did not fulfill this conception. But now Paul's views of Christ and His mission were far more spiritual and exalted, for he had been converted. The apostle asserted that he did not present to them Christ after the flesh. Herod had seen Christ in the days of His humanity; Annas had seen Him; Pilate and the priests and rulers had seen Him; the Roman soldiers had seen Him. But they had not seen Him with the eye of faith; they had not seen Him as the glorified Redeemer. To apprehend Christ by faith, to have a spiritual knowledge of Him, was more to be desired than a personal acquaintance with Him as He appeared on the earth. The communion with Christ which Paul now enjoyed was more intimate, more enduring, than a mere earthly and human companionship.

Paulus erklærede, at han som uomvendt ikke personligt havde kendt Kristus, men udelukkende efter den opfattelse, som han i lighed med andre nærede om den kommende Messias væsen og gerning. Han havde forkastet Jesus fra Nazaret som en bedrager, fordi han ikke svarede til denne opfattelse. Men nu var Paulus syn på Kristus og hans opgave langt mere åndeligt og ophøjet; thi han var blevet omvendt. Paulus forsikrede, at han ikke forkyndte dem Kristus efter kødet. Herodes havde set Kristus i hans menneskelige skikkelse; Annas havde set ham; de romerske soldater havde set ham. Men de havde ikke set ham med troens øje; de havde ikke set ham som den herliggjorte Frelser. Ved troen at begribe Kristus, at få åndelig viden om ham, var af større værdi end personligt at have kendt ham, mens han vandrede på jorden. Det samfund med Kristus, som Paulus nu erfarede, var mere inderligt, mere varigt, end et blot jordisk eller menneskeligt samvær.