So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
— Romans 10:17 (KJV)
The natives of Malta showed unusual kindness towards Paul and those stranded there after their shipwreck. Still, they need the gospel of faith in Christ to be saved. They mistook Paul's misfortune of a venomous snake bite as divine judgment and his miraculous survival as his divinity. What folly to think God's grace is bestowed based on one's goodness!
Paul deserved death for culling Christians but God used him to convert non-Christians. Praise be to God that the venom of Satan causing sin and death is overcome by the victory of Christ bringing salvation on the Cross!