1 Timothy 1:15

Faithful. Or, “trustworthy.” The expression “this is a faithful saying” is found only in the pastoral epistles (see 1 Tim. 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11; Titus 3:8).

Worthy. The fundamental teaching that Jesus came to redeem men can be accepted without hesitation or doubt. Nothing is worthy of more attention.

Came. Paul affirms the pre-existence of Christ (see on John 1:1—3; 16:28; 17:5).

Save. From the beginning of sin God has been working His plan to save men from eternal destruction. To acquaint men with Jesus Christ is the work of angels and godly men. This verse does not limit God’s grace to a select few but emphasizes its availability for all “sinners” (see on Matt. 1:21).

Chief. Paul continues to sense his unworthiness, even after conversion. He does not say “was chief,” but “am chief” (see on 1 Cor. 15:9, 10). His humility arises from his memory of past insults and persecution done to God and His church (see on 1 Tim. 1:13) as well as his awareness of his present insufficiency apart from the daily power of God. The truly converted Christian never loses the sense of unworthiness that he experienced when he first surrendered his will to Christ. He knows that without the daily indwelling of the power of God his life would not reveal the graces of Christian character. “The nearer we come to Jesus and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly we shall discern the exceeding sinfulness of sin and the less we shall feel like exalting ourselves” (COL 160). The Christian’s only safeguard is to remember the pit from which he was “digged” (Isa. 51:1; cf. Ps. 40:2), to place no confidence in self, and gladly to submit his will to the desires of God from day to day.