The Saviour’s words of reproof to the men of Nazareth apply in the case of Paul, not only to the unbelieving Jews, but to his own brethren in the faith. Had the leaders in the church fully surrendered their feelings of bitterness toward the apostle, and accepted him as one specially called of God to bear the gospel to the Gentiles, the Lord would have spared him to them to still labor for the salvation of souls. He who sees the end from the beginning, and who understands the hearts of all, saw what would be the result of the envy and jealousy cherished toward Paul. God had not in his providence ordained that Paul’s labors should so soon end; but he did not work a miracle to counteract the train of circumstances to which their own course gave rise.{LP 231.1}

Frelserens irettesættelsesord til Nazarets mænd kan bruges i Paulus tilfælde, ikke kun til ikke-troende jøder, men til hans egne brødre i troen. Havde lederne i menigheden aflagt deres bitterhed imod apostlen helt, og accepteret ham som en der var særlig kaldt af Gud til at bære evangeliet til Hedningene, ville Herren have sparet dem, så de stadig kunne arbejde for sjæles frelse. Han som ser enden fra begyndelsen, som forstår alles hjerter, så hvad resultatet ville være af den misundelse og jalousi som der blev næret imod Paulus. I sit forsyn havde Gud ikke forordnet at Paulus arbejde skulle ende så hurtigt; men han gjorde ikke et mirakel for at modvirke de omstændigheder, som hans egen handlemåde opkom med.