12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12-17 KJV)
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
Here the apostle, Paul, gives thanks to Jesus Christ for appointing him to the ministry. It is Christ’s work to put men into the ministry (Acts 26:16-17). God condemned the false prophets among the Jews, saying, “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran; I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied” (Jeremiah 23:21). Ministers cannot make themselves ministers, for it is Christ who, as Head of the Church, calls and appoints them. Those whom He calls, He also equips and qualifies. Those who lack ability or grace for the work are not called by Christ, though there are different measures of gifts and grace among those who are.
Christ not only gives ability but also faithfulness to those He puts into the ministry: “He counted me faithful.” None are faithful except those whom Christ makes so. Ministers are trusted servants, and it is a great privilege to be counted faithful in this high calling. Therefore, Paul rightly says, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”
To magnify the grace of Christ in appointing him to the ministry, Paul recalls his conversion. Before his conversion, he was “a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious.” He breathed out threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:1) and made havoc of the church (Acts 8:3). He blasphemed God, persecuted His people, and injured both. God often allows those destined for great service to fall into deep sin before their conversion, that His mercy may be glorified in their forgiveness and His grace in their renewal. The greatness of sin is no barrier to mercy if it is truly repented of.
Blasphemy, persecution, and cruelty are great sins. To blaspheme strikes directly at God; to persecute His people is to wound Him through them; to be injurious is to violate both divine and human rights. True penitents, like Paul, are not ashamed to confess what they once were (Acts 22:4; 26:10-11).
Yet Paul obtained mercy. That such a notorious rebel should find mercy is a great wonder of grace. If he had persecuted Christians knowingly, he might have been guilty of the unpardonable sin; but because he acted ignorantly and in unbelief, he obtained mercy. What we do ignorantly is less sinful than what we do knowingly, though still a sin (Luke 12:48). Ignorance may lessen, but not remove, guilt; and unbelief lies at the root of all sin, for sinners do not believe God’s warnings. Paul says, “I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” Thus there was mercy even for a blasphemer, persecutor, and injurious man.
He then speaks of the abundant grace of Christ (1 Timothy 1:14): “The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” The conversion and salvation of great sinners are due entirely to Christ’s grace. He summarizes the gospel in verse 15: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” The Son of God became flesh (John 1:14), not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13), to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
This saying is faithful—it is true and dependable—and it is worthy of all acceptance, to be received with faith and love. Paul applies it to himself: “Of whom I am chief.” He was a sinner of the first rank, a persecutor of the church (Acts 9:1-2). Yet, though he once called himself the least of the saints (Ephesians 3:8), he now calls himself the chief of sinners. Christ came to save even the greatest sinners, and Paul’s conversion proves it.
This truth teaches that (1) Christ truly came into the world as foretold; (2) He came to save sinners who could not save themselves; (3) persecutors and blasphemers are among the worst of sinners; (4) the chief of sinners may become the chief of saints (2 Corinthians 11:5); (5) this saying is faithful and reliable; and (6) it is worthy to be believed for our comfort and encouragement.
Paul then speaks of the mercy he found for the encouragement of others: “For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to those who should hereafter believe on Him to everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:16). His conversion was meant to be a pattern for all, showing that even the greatest sinners may find mercy. Christ’s long-suffering is displayed in His patience toward Paul, who had been so rebellious. Paul was one of the first great sinners converted to Christianity, and his example assures others that they too may find grace if they believe on Christ to eternal life (Hebrews 10:39; 11:6).
Finally, Paul cannot speak of this mercy without breaking into praise: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17). Those who know the mercy and grace of God will have their hearts filled with His praise. God is eternal—without beginning or end (Daniel 7:9); immortal—He alone has immortality (1 Timothy 6:16); invisible—dwelling in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16); and the only wise God (Jude 25).
To Him be glory forever and ever. Let every believer, like Paul, ascribe unending praise to the God of all grace, whose mercy saves even the chief of sinners.