But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
Summary: Paul’s conversion and life for Christ is an example for all of us.
Why would God put up with you or me or anyone else, for that matter? Why would he be patient with people who disrespect him, even when they are trying to do what is right?
Paul’s argument in this verse doesn’t answer that question directly. What it does do is to give us an example to think about. Paul wasn’t a “bad person” in the usual sense. He was never accused of coveting, stealing, or messing around with someone else’s wife.
By every normal measure of “goodness,” Paul had been a very good person. The problem was that he was using the wrong measuring stick for “goodness.” When he met up with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was confronted with the right measuring stick: Jesus Christ.
Oops!
So when Paul says he was the “worst of sinners,” he isn’t referring to common, everyday sins. He was already trying to do what was “right.” It was his frame of reference that was all wrong.
So who defines what is right and wrong, good and evil? Yes, you guessed it — God. God made us and everything else that exists, and so he gets to make the rules.
We should be thankful that God is our Creator and not Satan. God is selfless and loving. He wants what is eternally best for us. Satan is the opposite. He is self-centered (Matthew 4:8–9) and deceitful (John 8:44). What he can’t have for himself, he wants destroyed (1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:10).
God’s rules are simple: Love God above all else (agapē love), and love your neighbor as yourself (also agapē love). That is the definition of “good.” However, there is a caveat. Our love is not judged by human standards.
For example, Paul thought he was “loving God” when he was chasing down Christians and putting them in prison. He was wrong, obviously. Instead, God turned Paul’s misguided zeal into an object lesson for all of us.
Paul can say he was the “worst of sinners,” because what he did was in direct opposition to God’s will. You and I might have a different definition for the “worst of sinners” category. (I know I do!) That is okay. The point Paul is making is not, “Look at me and what I did,” but instead he wants us to look at God and see what he can do.
Application: Trust Jesus. He loves us even though each one of us is the “worst of sinners.”
Food for Thought: Why does Paul say that Jesus was patient with him?
Jesus was patient with Paul as he hunted down, persecuted, and even participated in the murder of God’s children. He met Paul on the Damascus road the change became a powerful witness to Who Christ is. I think He does that with all of us. I can certainly testify that Jesus has been incredibly patient with me, showing me grace and mercy time and again. He leads as the Good Shepherd who patiently waits for and guides His sheep to greener pastures.
1 Peter 2: 23 – 25: When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
That is patience in both affliction and in leading the sheep.
2 Peter3: 8 – 9: But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3: 14 – 15: So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
Thank you, Rich!
I like the way you framed this:
“… patience in both affliction and in leading the sheep…”
Well said.
Why does Paul say that Jesus was patient with him?
Romans 1:28, And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.
Romans 8:7, Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
On our own, the human mind treats God like an enemy. Opposing truth and seeking our own way. We are a product of Adam and Eve, choosing the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, living according to situation ethics, as we choose separation from God and His life.
God reveals himself, and He gives His grace to restrain the evil of humanity. However, when people continue to reject His truths, choosing sin over righteousness, He will at some point allow them to experience the results of their choices. as He gives them over to a completely corrupt, reprobate mind focused on sin.
Thank you, Ron.
That is a stark portrait of the reality we face.