How did Paul's background as a religious zealot under Judaism affect him?
Paul's background as a religious zealot under Judaism, with his whole life wrapped up in Judaism and his work as a Pharisee, set him up for his later drive. Though God transformed and saved him by grace, that same personality kept going, turning his energy from opposing Christ to serving Him out of love.
Les explains that Paul's background as a religious zealot under Judaism—his whole life wrapped up in Judaism and his work as a Pharisee—set him up for this. God totally transformed and saved him by grace, yet that personality kept going. Instead of using his energy to defeat the name of Christ, Paul now directed it out of love for Him. Even amid physical sufferings and constant defense of his Apostleship against Jewish opposition from Jerusalem, the love of Christ constrained or drove him on.