The Chief of Sinners

“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.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

This is a favorite verse of those who would pervert God’s grace. They say that if Paul was the chief of sinners, how can they be expected to be any better? Many such people, including preachers, go around and comfort others with this attitude. They never tire of using that time-worn, popular sermon outline, which goes like this: When Paul began his ministry, he said he was the least of the apostles. 1 Cor. 15:9. After he had lived a life with God for some time, he said that he was less than the least of all the saints (Eph. 3:8). Toward the end of his life he said that he was the chief of sinners. Then they add, “It got worse with Paul, and it gets worse with us too; but how good it is that we have grace!”

Every upright soul will recognize that this is a false comfort, which agrees with neither the spirit nor the letter of the Scriptures. Hear what Paul said at the end of his life: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:6-8.

How different that is from “I am chief of sinners!” He said himself that the time of his departure was at hand. He knew that the crown of righteousness was laid up for him, not because God was so gracious that He would not reckon his sin to him, but because He is the righteous Judge who would award him he crown for having fought the good fight and for finishing the course.

“But,” you say, “we can’t disregard the scripture that says he was the chief among sinners.” No, we shall not disregard it, but we shall read it in the light of what precedes it: “Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man . . .”; and in another place, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” That is why he calls himself chief of sinners.

Many will say, “But he writes that he is, not was—as if to prove that when Paul wrote his letter to Timothy he was the chief of sinners—a greater sinner than Timothy, whom he was exhorting! This is plainly unreasonable. Let us read it in context once again: “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.” This tells us that of all the sinners whom Jesus came to save, he was the chief. He is writing about himself and other sinners such as they were when Jesus came to save them, not as they had become after living with Jesus for a time. Paul goes on to say, “However, for this reason I obtained mercy [grace], that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” 1 Tim. 1:16. He did not continue to be the chief of sinners but became an example in godly fear, and he exhorts Timothy to become such an example too. That is why Paul writes that this saying is sure and worthy of all acceptance, that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. These were not just empty phrases on Paul’s part; he really meant it! The transformation that took place in his life is evidence of the reality of it.

When people hear about a holy life, many of them think of it as a life that was possible for Paul to live but impossible for them to live. But Paul, having declared himself to be the chief of sinners, dismisses all such reasoning. If Jesus was able to do such a great work in him, He can do it in anyone. Or has the gospel lost its power? Is it not a work of grace? Is His grace insufficient for us? Is it inadequate to save us? “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” It is solely a question of our willingness.