Why was Paul, the chief of sinners, saved first?
Paul was saved first as the head of a line of sinners, not because he was the worst, but because he obtained mercy by grace. As the chief and most prestigious, he was at the head of the line, and others down through the ages would be saved like him.
Les explains that Paul was not necessarily the worst, most wicked, or most vile sinner, but he is the head of a line of sinners who would be saved like he was. Even those who have not persecuted or put people to death are just as great sinners in God's sight as Saul of Tarsus. Paul says, 'such were some of you, and such were some of us.' The chief, the most prestigious, the head of the line was saved first, and now we come down through the ages. Les points out that in verse 16 Paul says he obtained mercy, that in him first, and 'first' means at the head of the line.
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.
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.
More Questions
Does 'chief of sinners' in 1 Timothy 1:15 mean Paul was the worst sinner?
In 1 Timothy 1:15, the word 'chief' does not mean 'worst.'
When does the pattern of Paul's salvation begin — does it apply backward to Pentecost or only from his conversion onward?
The word 'hereafter' in the pattern statement is not retroactive — Paul does not say the pattern goes back to Pentecost, but rather from that point onward, from his conversion on the road to Damascus, God would now be calling people into the Body of Christ.