What did Paul mean by this?

[Botz]

It is a figure of speech, a hyperbole/exaggeration. Paul was saying that if God's grace can save and change a killer of Christians, He can save anyone. It is not a wooden literalism.

Just what I was going to say bro.....

[nebula]

The explanation I have heard that makes the most sense to me is this one:

If you read Paul's writings in order, he transforms from statements on the pride-side to statements on the humble-side. His earlier letters have self-exalting statements (even though he transitions to glorifying the Lord with them, the statements are still self-exalting). In the later letters you don't see that.

Paul had his struggles with sin like we all do, we just don't see what they were (although I have picked up he was quick to anger).

Now there is a difference between being humble and being self-loathing, but when you can face see your sin for what it is in humility (not be self-hating, but not be self-justifying either), you would probably think of it this way as well. It's not a comparative statement, but seeing the reality of sin - your own sin - for what it is.

[Openly Curious]

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

[Thankful 1]

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

[BlindSeeker]

Paul wasn't chief of sinners because he was a profane and immoral person. Paul said he was chief of sinners simply because in his religious zeal he actually was being an enemy to the truth he thought he was fighting for. As a Jew and Pharisee he say clearly he was blameless . . . but still spiritually in the wrong.

Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

[Guest shiloh357]

The explanation I have heard that makes the most sense to me is this one:

If you read Paul's writings in order, he transforms from statements on the pride-side to statements on the humble-side. His earlier letters have self-exalting statements (even though he transitions to glorifying the Lord with them, the statements are still self-exalting). In the later letters you don't see that.

Actually, it wasn't that Paul was making self-exalting statements in his earlier letters; rather, early in his ministry, Paul had many challenges to his authority as an apostle. Paul made a lot of enemies by those who claimed apostleship, but were in fact bilking the congregations and getting rich in the process.

Paul had to defend his apostleship because the false apostles were coming behind him and teaching beleivers in churches that Paul established that Paul was not a true apostle. So Paul in his defense, enumerates all he has done and has gone through and all he has given up for the gospel. His point was that those challenging his apostleship had not paid the price that he had paid and were certainly not willing to go to prison for gospel and thus had no right to challenge his authority as an apostle. His intent was not to boast in a prideful way, but to show that the fruit of his ministry was directly proportionate with the persecution and pain he had to endure for it. His enemies started no churches, but rather they tried usurp from Paul what he had already established.

Later in time, the truth of Paul's defense of his ministry became evident and the challengers (whose names we don't even remember) melted away into the woodwork and Paul's ministry was affirmed removing the need for anyone to challenge him.

[JCISGD]

Its ludicrous to think Paul was admitting to his present state?

Who here would put up with a Pastor that was not atleast an example of more godly living than ourselves, let alone an Apostle that supposedly lapsed back and forth into sin and godliness.

As others have said, its not wooden literalism but exaggeration to prove a point.

In bible interpretation the clear verses are the main verses and to be used to interpret the unclear, or else we can get all manner of bizzare teaching from the bible, which some as we know infact do.

The clear verses which i have posted in other similar topics, show that Paul says he was "holy,blameless,without fault, having a clear conscience in all things before both God and man" Im not going to argue them as we all have access to key word searches and can verify in them in chapter context ourselves. The book of Romans Chpts 3 - 11 is largely theology and therefore not to be taken literally like the bulk of the other epistles.

[Littlelambseativy]

Do not any of you look at yourselves in prayer and looking back, no matter how great or small we think our sins have been and still are, ask the Father in humbleness, what amazing love Christ has that he even if you or I was the only sinner, He would give His life to save such an undeserving sinner as you or me?? Do none of you make the same comment as Paul did ? The least of All ?? I do - I so marvel at the love that God has for all of man - we never cease to disappoint Him, yet He loves us SO much. We are SO undeserving of His love yet it is not our love it is HIS love for us that is so amazing. I so marvel at that wonderful love.

[enoob57]

Do not any of you look at yourselves in prayer and looking back, no matter how great or small we think our sins have been and still are, ask the Father in humbleness, what amazing love Christ has that he even if you or I was the only sinner, He would give His life to save such an undeserving sinner as you or me?? Do none of you make the same comment as Paul did ? The least of All ?? I do - I so marvel at the love that God has for all of man - we never cease to disappoint Him, yet He loves us SO much. We are SO undeserving of His love yet it is not our love it is HIS love for us that is so amazing. I so marvel at that wonderful love.

It is the draw that causes us to wish to die to everything that we are and be filled with all that He is.... summation of seeking Him: not in me, or others here, or in any other descriptive element outside of His Word do we find the Person of God and the exceeding of all that we are capable of knowing... Father... Hallowed be thy name. He is ours for worship and adoration for all the eternities. Love Steven

[dan p]

Do not any of you look at yourselves in prayer and looking back, no matter how great or small we think our sins have been and still are, ask the Father in humbleness, what amazing love Christ has that he even if you or I was the only sinner, He would give His life to save such an undeserving sinner as you or me?? Do none of you make the same comment as Paul did ? The least of All ?? I do - I so marvel at the love that God has for all of man - we never cease to disappoint Him, yet He loves us SO much. We are SO undeserving of His love yet it is not our love it is HIS love for us that is so amazing. I so marvel at that wonderful love.

It is the draw that causes us to wish to die to everything that we are and be filled with all that He is.... summation of seeking Him: not in me, or others here, or in any other descriptive element outside of His Word do we find the Person of God and the exceeding of all that we are capable of knowing... Father... Hallowed be thy name. He is ours for worship and adoration for all the eternities. Love Steven

Hi to all , and this what I have seen from others , on 1 Tim 1:15 and 16 and it is serveral things to be gleaned .

#1 , In verse 15 , " that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners , of whom I am PROTOS .

#2 , PROTOS can be translated by either FIRST or Chief .

#3 , But , I see , that FIRST should be the right translation , here .

#4 , The CONTEXT supports saving sinners .

#5 , And as some have already pointed out in Phil 3:6 , under the Law , Paul was BLAMELESS .

#6 , We , should all notice that the Greek Article ( the ) is added to the Greek text and should read " of whom I FIRST " and NOT the first or worst of sinners .

$7 , If the Greek Article were there , then it would be pointing to Paul .

#8 , The Greek Article ( the ) always points to a SPECIFIC thing .

#9 , In verse 16 , the word PROTOS /FIRST is also used , " that in me FIRST Christ Jesus might show forth all longsuffering for a PATTERN ."

#10 , This , then means that Paul was n0ot only the PROTOS/FIRST saved by Grace ( Acts 9:6 ) but the FIRST in the Body of Christ , dan p