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1 Timothy 1:12-16 – Why Did Paul Receive Forgiveness?
There is statement Paul makes about himself most everyone is familiar with concerning his sinfulness – “I am the worst of them.” Twice Paul says the same thing (1 Timothy 1:15-16). Before getting to what is less familiar, lets examine why Paul considers himself the worse.
Why was Paul the worse in his own eyes? He calls himself, “one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man” (v.13). What reason was he so bad? “Out of ignorance” (v.13). Surprised? A man who studied under Gamliel, one of Judaism’s greatest rabbis, was ignorant?! Was Paul a bad student? Not understanding made him not only wrong, but ignorant. Could his arrogance have contributed to his ignorance? That’s a lesson for us right there! Because of Paul’s own ignorant self, he received mercy and grace, along with faith and love (v.14).
But there is another reason, a part of this text maybe we are less familiar with for Paul being blessed: “But I received mercy because of this, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate the utmost patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life (v.16). Paul is an example of divine patience. Not only does that give us hope, it gives us an example to follow concerning others.
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