Why did the Lord Christ not choose Saul of Tarsus to be among His disciples?

The Lord Christ knew Saul’s heart and thought, his earnestness in studying the law and his striving to attain the righteousness of the law. The apostle Paul said of himself: “concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:6). Out of zeal for the law, he blasphemed Christ in his ignorance and persecuted His disciples and slandered the faithful: “Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Tim. 1:13)

Most of the disciples chosen by the Lord were simple fishermen, as the apostle says: “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (1 Cor. 1:27). He did not choose Saul of Tarsus because Saul was himself experienced in the work of the law, its purpose and potential: “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee” (Phil. 3:5– 6). When Saul believed in the Lord Christ, he realized the difference between the work of the law and the work of Christ within him, so he said, “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20); and, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! … For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ’You shall not covet’” (Rom. 7:7). He realized that the role of the law is to reveal to the believer his need for the divine Savior, and through Him, enter into the life of fullness. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Rom. 10:4).

St. John Chrysostom³²² says that a man can neither live nor be justified unless he fulfills all requirements and ordinances of the law — which seems impossible! Therefore, if the Jews desire to be justified by the law, the law itself shows them that it is completely incapable of bestowing righteousness and life upon any person. It is this that leads us to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who alone did not break the law, and is capable of justifying His believers. Consequently, the apostle Paul does not allow the Jews any excuse, for the law itself declares Christ alone to be the source of all righteousness. St. Clement of Alexandria says, “‘For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness,’ who was prophesied by the law to everyone that believes.”³²³

When the Lord Christ called Saul of Tarsus, the Pharisee, the apostle felt that his mission was to enjoy a life of fullness in Christ Jesus. The Lord Christ speaks of this fullness in His farewell prayer: “Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are” (John 17:11); “That they also may be one in Us” (John 17:21); “That the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:26).