Why is the statement that Jesus came to save sinners missing from the Old Testament?
Because Scripture is a progressive revelation that unfolds chronologically. The Old Testament emphasizes the coming King and His kingdom fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant, so Paul's specific statement that Christ entered the world to save sinners is absent. A suffering Savior theme runs parallel, as in Isaiah 53, but not in that Pauline form.
Les explains that the Bible is a progressive revelation, with everything chronologically unfolding. In the Old Testament, there is no mention of a statement like Paul's, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Instead, the whole emphasis is that He will come to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant and be the King. Running parallel, however, is another theme: a suffering Savior, as promised in Isaiah 53—prepared as a sheep before shearers and suffering the chastisement of our sins. That suffering Savior had to be promised too, because when Nicodemus asked about the kingdom, Jesus told him one must be born again to enter it, and there will be no unbelievers in that kingdom.
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.
More Questions
Why does the Old Testament not contain Paul's statement that Christ came into the world to save sinners?
Progressive revelation means the Bible chronologically unfolds; thus the Old Testament does not contain Paul's statement that Christ came into the world to save sinners, because the Old Testament emphasis is that Christ will fulfill the Abrahamic covenant and be king.