John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 1:15

"Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief:" — 1 Timothy 1:15 (ASV)

It is a faithful saying. After having defended his ministry from slander and unjust accusations, not satisfied with this, he turns to his own advantage what might have been brought against him by his adversaries as a reproach. He shows that it was profitable to the Church that he had been the kind of person he actually was before he was called to the apostleship, because Christ, by giving him as a pledge, invited all sinners to the sure hope of obtaining pardon. For when he, who had been a fierce and savage beast, was changed into a Pastor, Christ gave a remarkable display of his grace, from which all might be led to hold a firm belief that for no sinner, however heinous and aggravated his transgressions might have been, was the gate of salvation shut against him.

That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He first brings forward this general statement, and adorns it with a preface, as he is accustomed to do in matters of vast importance. In the doctrine of religion, indeed, the main point is to come to Christ, so that, being lost in ourselves, we may obtain salvation from him. Let this preface be to our ears like the sound of a trumpet to proclaim the praises of the grace of Christ, so that we may believe it with stronger faith. Let it be to us as a seal to impress on our hearts a firm belief of the forgiveness of sins, which otherwise finds entrance into the hearts of men only with difficulty.

A faithful saying. Why did Paul arouse attention with these words, if not because men are always disputing with themselves about their salvation? For, although God the Father offers us salvation a thousand times, and although Christ himself preaches about his own office, yet we do not for that reason cease to tremble, or at least to debate with ourselves whether it is actually so. Therefore, whenever any doubt arises in our mind about the forgiveness of sins, let us learn to repel it courageously with this shield: that it is an undoubted truth and deserves to be received without controversy.

To save sinners. The word sinners is emphatic; for those who acknowledge that it is the office of Christ to save, have difficulty in admitting this thought, that such a salvation belongs to “sinners.” Our mind is always impelled to look at our worthiness; and as soon as our unworthiness is seen, our confidence sinks. Accordingly, the more anyone is oppressed by his sins, let him the more courageously turn to Christ, relying on this doctrine, that he came to bring salvation not to the righteous, but to “sinners.” It also deserves attention that Paul draws an argument from the general office of Christ, so that what he had recently testified about his own person might not appear to be due to its novelty.

Of whom, I am the first. Beware of thinking that the Apostle, under a pretense of modesty, spoke falsely, for he intended to make a confession not less true than humble, and drawn from the very bottom of his heart.

But some will ask, “Why does he, who only erred through ignorance of sound doctrine, and whose whole life, in every other respect, was blameless before men, pronounce himself to be the chief of sinners?” I reply, these words inform us how heinous and dreadful a crime unbelief is before God, especially when it is attended by obstinacy and a rage for persecution (Philippians 3:6). With men, indeed, it is easy to extenuate, under the pretense of heedless zeal, all that Paul has acknowledged about himself. But God values the obedience of faith more highly than to consider unbelief, accompanied by obstinacy, a small crime.

We should carefully observe this passage, which teaches us that a man who, before the world, is not only innocent but also eminent for distinguished virtues and most praiseworthy for his life, is nevertheless, because he is opposed to the doctrine of the gospel and on account of the obstinacy of his unbelief, considered one of the most heinous sinners. For from this we may easily conclude what value all the pompous displays of hypocrites have before God while they obstinately resist Christ.