although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
persecutor -- Before his conversion, Paul sought to persecute followers of Christ by arresting and imprisoning them (Acts 9:1-2; Acts 22:4-5; Acts 22:19-20; Acts 26:9-11 ). Paul was not exaggerating for the sake of effect.