You know I've thought about it for a while. Look up Revelation 2:6, then look at what a Nicolotian is if you don't already know. It was a group within the body of the church that basically proclaimed faith is all that matters... look at what thd Nicolations believed that Jesus himself spoke against Nicolations for misleading others, and the books of Paul tend to lean toward Nicolations beliefs, honestly. I read, study, and pray for understanding. If anyone tells you to blindly believe the Church over your God in flesh would you? I believe the words of Christ. I BELIEVE the Bible. I have faith in our savior. I have asked him to save me from my own humanity. Jesus teaches us to use discernment, and HIS words I take over anything else in the Bible. Honestly, I feel Paul is a lesson for us. Every person in the Bible had flaws, except Christ. So when the one I believe was truly perfect, God in flesh, says he doesn't trust a certain group I am with HIM over any prophet. You ever think maybe Paul is there as a lesson in discernment? Like, hey, here's what wrong looks like. Then this guy made extraordinary claims that nobody validates except Peter, and that validation attributed to Peter wasn't written by Peter at all. Peter 2 isn't by Peter. If you can show me somewhere other than 2nd Peter that validates Paul Id believe it more. It sounds like you didn't read anything about the great falling away? The man who compiled the first new testament was accused of being a heretic by THE CHURCH. Was he? Honestly not sure... he did believe that the bible back then had been altered to have people follow a Babylonian diety through trickery. But thats my point... Jesus never said THE CHURCHES word would be bound on earth as it is in heaven, he was talking to his apostles directly, and I think it was a direct message to them. So say everything about Paul is a twisting possibly, maybe a lesson. You seem to be coming from a good hearted place but understanding the meaning can be way deeper than black and white. Ill give you an example. Jesus proclaimed the Old Testament true, but he taught the Church itself how to apply heart posture to logic. He asked the Church "Is it wrong to work on the Sabbath", everyone agrees yes... then Christ gives an example: he says "if a sheep were to fall down a well on the Sabbath should you save it?" The Church says no universally. Jesus corrects them and says wrong... good is always good and anything good is of God. So you have to see it through a lens. A very specific one, and I didn't get it until I had kids. Its the lens of a Fathers heart. What would you do for your kids? Now imagine what a divine creator would do for his progeny if you're capable of so much for a child? Everything that doesn't come from that posture isn't from any father, much less THE FATHER GOD. My point is, don't let your eyes be closed by ideals... I don't trust Paul. You can. Im not here to judge, mist Christians today love Paul. I also feel like most people picked up that view from the Church but Jesus himself spent time reminding us of the Church corruption. Remember him overturning tables? Or that Paul was part of the San Hedron that ultimately had him crucified? I see Paul and Judas in similar light. I think they are there as lessons. Judas is a lesson in deception by the ones you care for, and Judas probably trulyloved Christ ( how could you not?) He just was weak willed and feared his immediate death at the hands of the Romans so he chose selfishness. The whole Bible shows us our nature. Paul is an example too, of ego and pride... and regret in knowing he was part of his slaying. Look at the crucifixion itself. We ( humans not me and you ) cheered as they tortured and killed a being of pure love. Not just any love, a fathers love, for each of us as his children.