Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was not one of the twelve apostles, and did not know Jesus during his lifetime. He was a diaspora Jew, lived as a pharisee and participated in the persecution of early disciples of Jesus, possibly Hellenised diaspora Jews converted to Christianity, in the area of Jerusalem, prior to his conversion. Later he experienced a revelation of the resurrected Jesus. After this experience, he traveled widely throughout the eastern Roman Empire, spreading the “Good News” that Jesus would soon return from heaven and usher in the reign of God “The Kingdom”.

For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? — Romans 3:7, NKJV

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. — 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, NKJV

But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
— 2 Corinthians 12:16, NKJV

I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. — 2 Corinthians 11:8, NKJV