Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 1:16

"howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life." — 1 Timothy 1:16 (ASV)

“Here is a trustworthy saying” is literally “faithful the word” (GK 4412 & 3364); this formula is found only in the Pastoral Letters (4:9 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8). Here and in 4:9 we find the added words: “that deserves full acceptance.” This repeated formula is always attached to a maxim relating to either doctrine or practice, on which full reliance can be placed. The saying here is “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” This is the good news, the heart of the Gospel.

Paul claims that of all sinners he was “the worst”—lit., “first” or “chief.” He felt this way because he had persecuted Christ’s followers so vigorously. As far as morality was concerned, young Saul had been a strict Pharisee, living a life that was blameless before the law . Yet in his case as chief sinner, Christ’s “unlimited patience” had been displayed as an example to all who would believe in Jesus and thus receive eternal life. Paul’s life was a powerful demonstration of what divine grace can do.