Why do commentators skip over verses like 1 Timothy 1:16?
Commentators often skip verses like 1 Timothy 1:16 because they do not want to stick their necks out and face disagreement from traditionalists. Rather than risk controversy by teaching what Scripture actually appears to say, they ignore such verses as though they were not there.
Les explains that he does not use commentaries, but when someone gives him one, he checks whether it totally disagrees with him. He observes that commentators so often skip over verses like this and literally ignore them, as if they are not there. He says he knows why: they do not want to stick their neck out as he is doing, because when someone says this is the way it really appears in Scripture, traditionalists are going to disagree. He does not mind that disagreement, but he has to teach it the way it thrilled his heart.
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.