In I Timothy 1:15 Paul says, “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.”
What does Paul mean when he says that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief? It is quite possible that you may have been taught, or you may believe, that Paul was the worst of sinners. But does Paul really mean that he was the worst of sinners, or could this verse possibly have a much deeper meaning for us?
To accurately discern Paul’s intent in this verse, we will first incorporate I Timothy 1:16 alongside verse 15. Then we will examine the original meaning of the Greek term “protos” which has been translated as “chief.”
The following verses of I Timothy 1:15-16 are taken from the King James Version (KJV).
I Timothy 1:15-16
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.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible lists G-4413 as the Strong’s number for the Greek word πρῶτος (prótos), meaning “first” or “chief.” According to the King James Version, Strong’s G-4413 is rendered as “first” 84 times, “chief” 9 times, “first day” 2 times, “former” 2 times, and in various other ways 7 times.
Paul uses this Greek word “protos” in describing himself as a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Jesus Christ to life everlasting.” It is from “protos” that we get our English word prototype.
Now, when we look at I Timothy 1:15-16 in the context of the word “chief,” meaning “first,” we see the true intent of what Paul was telling Timothy. These two verses tell us that—it is true that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—that Paul obtained mercy (grace) so that in him first, Christ Jesus might show forth all longsuffering—as a pattern to those who would believe on Christ Jesus to life everlasting.
By examining Paul’s thirteen epistles, from Romans through Philemon, we gain insight into the previously hidden mysteries that Jesus Christ disclosed to Paul. Among these revelations are a newly revealed dispensation called the “dispensation of the grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2) and a new gospel called the gospel of the grace of God, which Paul received directly through divine revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12). The gospel of the grace of God is our gospel, which Paul has recorded for us in I Corinthians 15:1-4.
In Acts 20:22-24 Paul tells us that he is compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what he will encounter there, except the Holy Spirit witnessed in every city of prisons and tribulations that await him. None of those things deterred Paul, nor did he value his life, so that he might finish the ministry that he received from Jesus Christ, to testify of the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:22-24
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul referred to the gospel of the grace of God as “his gospel” three times: Romans 2:16, Romans 16:25, and II Timothy 2:8.
Paul tells us that he is the “apostle to the Gentiles” three times: Romans 11:13, I Timothy 2:7, and II Timothy 1:11.
Paul tells us that he is the first person saved by belief of this new gospel of the grace of God which was given to him to preach, and that he is the pattern that we are to follow: I Timothy 1:15-16).