To show that his message was not from human reasoning (devised by man, 1:11), Paul explains his life before meeting Jesus. He was a very successful Jew (see Acts 8:1–3; 22:1–5; 26:4–5; Philippians 3:4–7). His opposition to God's church and strict following of Judaism showed his belief in the law before Christ confronted him (Galatians 1:15–16).