LISTEN
NASB:
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
NIV:
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.
Observations:
The first thing I observe in this verse is the very emphasis that the apostle Paul puts upon what he is about to say. He says it is “trustworthy” and deserving of “full acceptance.”
Christ Jesus came into the world. He came to save sinners.
Paul says there is no sinner who has or will live worse than him.
You and I do not get to let Paul claim the title of chief sinner alone. We stand there with him. But Paul is not the atonement for sin, and neither are we.
Takeaways:
Paul said it in the preface of the verse — fully accept and trust that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
Realize that our position is no different from Paul’s. We are the foremost of sinners, for whom Christ came, just as Paul was.
