ORDINARY PEOPLE MEETING AN AWESOME GOD - Paul teaches that God chose someone with a past like his so I wouldn't feel hopeless with a past like mine. God saved Paul so I would have some idea (note the word "example" - literally an "exhibit" - like you would see in an art show) of how incredibly patient He is with sinners who are willing to bring the pieces of their lives to Him in faith. Paul says he himself is the model - a living "exhibit A" of what God does with hopeless sinners.