Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
Summary: Paul’s “saying” is simple, but that doesn’t mean it is easy to say.
I have a confession to make — I’ve been reading this passage wrong my whole life.
In our last meditation, we just discussed why a saying is “a saying.” It is for a reason. When you and I say it ourselves, we are affirming the truth of the saying.
In this case, the truth that I am drawn to is the fact that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Yes!
Thank God!
And then I used to read the rest this way:
“…—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners…” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
When I read this, I would think to myself, “Paul is really quite remarkable. He knows he is the ‘worst of sinners’ because he was a ‘blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man’ (1 Timothy 1:13).”
Yeah … that is pretty bad.
Afterwards, I would go on with my life, thinking that if Paul was the “worst of sinners,” I probably wasn’t all that bad.
Ha!
Now I see the sad truth. Yes, Paul is admitting before you, me, and the whole world that he was a bad sinner. But you know what? The “saying” includes that last part about being the worst of sinners. So if I repeat the saying that Paul taught to Timothy, it sounds like this:
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I [fill in your name] am the worst.”
Yeah. Me. I, too, am the “worst of sinners.” So is everyone else who repeats this saying.
I have another confession to make: I am humbled when I say Paul’s trustworthy saying.
No, I didn’t do the things that Paul did. I have never hauled Christians to prison or voted to have them killed, but I have done other things that, in the “Grand Scheme of Things,” probably looked pretty bad in God’s eyes.
Keep in mind that God sees more than what we do. He sees what is in our hearts.
Remember Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount?
Remember what he said about murder?
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” (Matthew 5:22a)
Ouch! Maybe I am the “worst of sinners.”
Application: Say the whole saying every day.
Food for Thought: How does saying “I am the worst of sinners” change how we look at others?
Well I do personally think Paul was talking about himself. To me the saying that is trustworthy is: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” It is a saying that encapsulates what Jesus Himself said (Luke 19: 10; Matthew 9: 13). He is quoting a saying from Jesus. Then Paul adds to that Jesus was also talking about him.
So while I see the passage a little different. The point is the same. If Paul added himself into that equation of sinners – we should too. I should too.
Now to the question. If I am also a sinner, I am no better than anyone else and need a Savior. To see myself as better places me on a dangerous path.
Luke 18: 9 – 14: To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Thank you, Rich!
It sounds like we can “agree to disagree” while at the same time, we actually “agree!” 🙂
It feels like a “win-win” to me. 🙂
Agreed 😊
Amen
How does saying “I am the worst of sinners” change how we look at others?
I think when we first ask and allow Jesus to clean our own house we are better suited to tell others how Jesus can clean theirs. And in sharing this truth we must remember that our own salvation is made possible by God’s grace; grace given through Christ despite our own rebellion and sinful nature. This enables us to look at others with compassion and love, rather than a sense of entitlement. It also enables us to share in the joy of others reconciliation and healing. We are able to “see” everyone as no more or no less deserving of God’s grace than us.
John 21:20-22
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
Everyone is called individually to Christ, and we follow Him. We don’t need to compare ourselves to others, or others to ourselves. Jesus is the standard of comparison. In remembering that “I am the worst of sinners” we can allow the Holy Spirit to search our own hearts and convict us. Then in repentance we can grow closer to God. This instills in us a desire to help others do the same through the Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Chris!
I appreciate the reminder that we are all called to Christ individually. Jesus truly is the “standard” of comparison!
How does saying “I am the worst of sinners” change how we look at others?
As our God opens our eyes and we begin to see ourselves, for what we sinful beings we are. We will begin to see all others as better than we are. It is a humbling, experience, thankfully initiated by the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of Sin, Righteousness, and coming Judgement, John 16:8.
James 2:10, For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
1 John 5:17, All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
Sin is sin, yet at the same time Jesus tells us all sins and sinning are forgivable except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Mathew 12:31, Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Hebrews 10:26, For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
All who receive Jesus Christ become new beings and are seen by God living in the purity of His Son Jesus Christ. What begins as an awakening, becomes a way of life, and Jesus Christ in each of us begins to minister to all Our Father guides into our lives. We simply submit to His will over our own, stay awake and “bloom where we have been planted”..
Matthew 5:16, In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Mark 10:45, For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Thank you, Ron!
Good to hear from you!
Yes, it is a “humbling, experience…”
It makes me think about some of the stories you have shared recently.