1 Timothy 1 15

1 Timothy 1:15 kjv

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.

1 Timothy 1:15 nkjv

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 1:15 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.

1 Timothy 1:15 esv

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

1 Timothy 1:15 nlt

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" ? and I am the worst of them all.

1 Timothy 1 verses

1 Timothy 1 15 Meaning

This verse declares a fundamental truth of Christian faith: Jesus Christ's central purpose in coming into the world was to rescue those enslaved by sin. It presents this profound statement as utterly reliable and deserving of universal acceptance, then powerfully personalizes it through Paul's confession of being the foremost among sinners. This highlights God's abounding grace, which is available even to the most undeserving.

1 Timothy 1 15 Context

This verse is embedded in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, his protégé, offering guidance on leading the church in Ephesus. Chapter 1 particularly addresses the pervasive issue of "false teachings" (1 Tim 1:3-7) that distorted the Mosaic Law, turning it into speculative and divisive narratives rather than pointing to God's purpose. Paul clarifies that "the law is good if one uses it properly" (1 Tim 1:8), not for the righteous, but "for lawbreakers and rebels" (1 Tim 1:9), to convict them of sin and guide them to Christ. In 1 Tim 1:11, Paul grounds his teaching in "the gospel of the glory of the blessed God." It's against this backdrop of false doctrine and the proper role of the Law that 1 Timothy 1:15 boldly proclaims the heart of the Gospel. Paul interjects his personal testimony (1 Tim 1:12-14), describing his transformation from persecutor to recipient of "abundant grace," setting the stage for the universal application of this grace. Therefore, 1 Timothy 1:15 functions as a concise summary of the gospel message, immediately followed by Paul’s living proof of its power, providing a robust counterpoint to any teaching that deviates from Christ’s redemptive work.

1 Timothy 1 15 Word analysis

• This is a faithful saying: (πιστὸς ὁ λόγος - pistos ho logos)
  • Pistós (faithful/trustworthy): Indicates reliability, certainty, and dependability. This phrase appears five times in the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim 1:15, 3:1, 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Tit 3:8), acting as a formal introductory formula for foundational truths, likely referencing a well-known, accepted creedal statement or common saying in the early church. It sets the upcoming statement apart as a core tenet, not merely Paul's opinion, but a shared theological bedrock.
  • Lógos (saying/word): Refers to the statement itself, emphasizing its verbal and conceptual integrity.
• and worthy of all acceptation: (πάσης ἀποδοχῆς ἄξιος - pasēs apodochēs axios)
  • Pásēs (of all): Denotes universality, without exception.
  • Apodochēs (acceptation/reception): Implies wholehearted embracing, belief, and positive affirmation. It's not just "hearing" but "receiving" as truth.
  • Áxios (worthy): Signifies deservingness, fitness, and appropriateness. The truth presented is so profound and beneficial that it merits complete and unquestioning acceptance from everyone. It combats skepticism and establishes the statement's paramount importance.
• that Christ Jesus: (Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς - Christos Iēsous)
  • Christ (Χριστός - Christos): The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah" (anointed one). It refers to Jesus's divine office and role as the long-awaited deliverer and King.
  • Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): His personal, earthly name, meaning "the Lord saves" or "Yahweh is salvation."
  • The combined name "Christ Jesus" emphasizes both his divine mission and his historical person. He is the unique Anointed One who saves.
• came into the world: (ἦλθεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον - ēlthen eis ton kosmon)
  • Ēlthen (came): Signifies a purposeful, voluntary, and deliberate arrival. This points to the incarnation – God entering human history in physical form. It implies pre-existence and a divine initiative.
  • Kósmos (world): Refers to the whole created order, especially fallen humanity alienated from God. This emphasizes the sphere of Christ's saving mission – to humanity burdened by sin, not just a select group.
• to save: (σῶσαι - sōsai)
  • Sōsai (to save): The infinitive verb expresses the primary purpose and ultimate goal of Christ's coming. "To save" encompasses deliverance from sin's penalty (condemnation) and power (bondage), reconciliation with God, and restoration to spiritual life. It is holistic salvation.
• sinners; (ἁμαρτωλούς - hamartōlous)
  • Hamartōloús (sinners): Describes those who have missed the mark, acted contrary to God's will, or are alienated from His righteousness. This highlights humanity's desperate spiritual state without Christ. The plural underscores the universal condition. It speaks of humanity as needing rescue.
• of whom I am chief. (πρῶτος - prōtos)
  • Prōtos (chief/first/foremost): Paul uses a superlative, declaring himself not just a sinner, but the greatest or foremost among them. This is not false humility but a deeply felt conviction stemming from his past as a persecutor of the church (Acts 8:3, 9:1-2) and his understanding of God's amazing grace. He genuinely saw his past acts as the epitome of opposition to God. It highlights the vastness of God's grace by showing that if even the "chief of sinners" can be saved, then salvation is accessible to all. It's an ultimate testimony to the Gospel's power to transform.

Words-Group analysis:

• "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation": This introductory phrase strongly affirms the truthfulness, reliability, and paramount importance of the statement that follows. It's an emphatic call to recognize and fully embrace the gospel message as absolute truth, serving to both commend it to Timothy and assert its doctrinal authority against any questioning.
• "that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners": This is the distilled essence of the Christian Gospel. It succinctly states the Savior's identity (Christ Jesus), His divine condescension (came into the world), and His singular redemptive mission (to save sinners). It clearly establishes the object of salvation (humanity as sinners) and the divine initiative of salvation (Christ's advent).
• "of whom I am chief": This is Paul's personal testimony and self-designation. It powerfully grounds the universal truth of salvation in personal experience. By declaring himself the "chief of sinners," Paul magnificently magnifies the grace of God, showing that if God's grace could transform even a zealous persecutor of Christ's church, it can surely save anyone. It transforms a doctrinal statement into a compelling invitation to experience this saving grace.

1 Timothy 1 15 Bonus section

• Anti-Gnostic/Legalistic Tendencies: This verse implicitly counters emerging heresies that downplayed the physicality of Christ's incarnation ("came into the world") or denied the need for salvation from actual sin, often promoting salvation through secret knowledge or adherence to detailed legalistic rules instead of grace through faith. Paul's emphasis on "sinners" and "to save" is a direct assertion against such errors.
• Paul's Consistent Humility: Paul’s self-designation as “chief of sinners” is not an isolated statement but reflects his consistent understanding of grace as purely unmerited. His Damascus Road experience profoundly reshaped his self-perception, driving him to deep humility while exalting Christ’s boundless compassion (e.g., Eph 3:8; 1 Cor 15:9-10).
• A Doxological Prompt: This powerful statement of truth naturally leads into doxology, as seen in the following verses (1 Tim 1:16-17), where Paul breaks into praise to "the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God." The profundity of Christ’s saving work compels adoration.

1 Timothy 1 15 Commentary

1 Timothy 1:15 stands as a quintessential declaration of the Gospel's core message. Paul frames it with the strongest affirmation ("faithful saying," "worthy of all acceptation") to underscore its absolute reliability and universal necessity. This truth refutes any works-based salvation, legalistic distortion of the law, or false teaching that undermines the centrality of Christ's redemptive act. Jesus's incarnation had one decisive purpose: to deliver lost humanity from the bondage and penalty of sin. Paul, speaking from personal revelation and experience, doesn't hesitate to count himself as the prime example of this saving power, given his notorious past as a persecutor of believers. His profound humility in acknowledging himself as the "chief of sinners" amplifies the immeasurable grace and mercy of God shown in his own transformation, providing a living testimony that no sin is too great for Christ's atoning work. The verse thus simultaneously provides a fundamental theological statement, an exhortation for full belief, and a powerful personal witness to the efficacy of divine grace.