Yes — Paul is the original pattern of a sinner saved by grace, placed at the head of the line so all who believe afterward could follow.
In 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul says Christ showed forth all longsuffering in him first 'for a pattern' to those who would afterward believe. Les Feldick explains that 'pattern' means the first, original example — not the worst, but the head of the line. Paul's Damascus road salvation demonstrates that grace alone saves, so every believer shares the same pattern.
1 Timothy 1:15 — Paul states that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and names himself the chief of those sinners.
1 Timothy 1:16 — This verse explains that Paul obtained mercy so that in him first Christ might show forth all longsuffering as a pattern for everyone who would afterward believe.
First Timothy 1:15 states: '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.' Then 1 Timothy 1:16 says why: '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.' These verses plainly make Paul the chief of sinners and the first person in whom Christ demonstrated His longsuffering as a pattern for all who would later believe.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul did not mean he was the worst sinner when he called himself 'chief.' The Greek word 'protos' means leader, head of the line, or first. In 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul says 'in me first' Christ showed forth all longsuffering 'for a pattern.' A pattern is the original template — the drawing or outline that is followed. Paul is that original example of a sinner saved by grace, and because he was the apostle to the Gentiles, God extended mercy and grace to him first so that everyone who should 'hereafter' believe on Christ could follow the same pattern. Les also points to Paul's conversion on the Damascus road. Saul was a rebel on his way to persecute believers, and God saved him purely by grace. Paul is therefore 'the epitome' of a sinner saved by grace — the first in line — and every believer, though not a persecutor, stands in the same line because all are sinners in God's sight.
Les compares a pattern to the original outline used when cutting cloth or lumber: you do not cut a batch of pieces and then make a pattern — the pattern comes first. In 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul is that original pattern. In him first Jesus Christ showed forth all longsuffering, and everyone who should hereafter believe on Him falls into that same original example.
Les says the word behind 'chief' is the Greek 'protos,' and it means leader, head of the line, or first. Paul was not saying he was the worst or most wicked person; he was saying he was the first to be saved by that kind of grace. The chief, the head of the line, was saved first, and all who come afterward are saved the same way.
Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute believers when God knocked him to the ground and asked, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' Saul had not repented on his own; God saved him by pure grace. Les calls Paul 'the epitome of a sinner saved by grace.' Because every person is a rebel and lost in God's sight, every believer is saved by the same grace shown to Paul on that road.
Since Paul is the head of the line, every other sinner saved by grace — especially Gentiles — follows after him. Les reminds us that even if we have never persecuted anyone, we were just as great a sinner in God's sight as Saul of Tarsus. Paul was saved first, and then 'here we come down through the ages,' all saved by the same grace and mercy.
Church began with conversion of Saul
Les points to 1 Timothy 1:15 and says the Body of Christ began with Saul's conversion, connecting Paul's unique first-in-line position to the start of the church.
The pattern comes first
Les teaches that a pattern is the original first example, like a pattern used to cut cloth. Paul, as the head of the line, is that first pattern for believers.
Paul, as apostle to Gentiles, was first
Because Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, God showed mercy in him first, and his longsuffering became the pattern for all who would later believe on Christ.
Chief means head of the line, not worst
Les clarifies that calling Paul 'chief' does not mean he was the worst sinner, but that he was the first, highest-profile sinner saved by grace.
Paul saved by grace on Damascus road
Saul was a rebel on his way to persecute believers when God graciously saved him. Les points to this as why Paul is the epitome of a sinner saved by grace.
Protos means leader, not wickedness
Les explains the Greek word 'protos' means leader, head of the line, or first — it does not imply wickedness. Paul was simply the first saved by such grace.
Paul as the epitome of grace
God saved Saul of Tarsus when he deserved judgment, showing grace. Les says Paul is the epitome of grace, and we were rebels before salvation just like him.
Do Everything for the Glory of God — 1 Corinthians 10:31 Explained
"...even as I please all in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." Now as you study Paul's letters, I think you're going to become aware of one overriding thought, and that is the man could never get lost people off his mind. That's all Paul could think about were lost people.
1 Timothy 1:15: 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.
Paul places himself in the category of sinners Christ came to save, setting up the pattern statement in verse 16.
1 Timothy 1:16: 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.
This is the key verse: Paul says Christ showed longsuffering in him first 'for a pattern' to all who will afterward believe.
Acts 9:4: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
This records the moment God interrupted Saul's persecuting journey and saved him by grace, the event Les uses to explain Paul as the pattern.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the Greek word 'protos' means leader or head of the line. Paul was saying he was the first sinner to be saved by this kind of grace, not that he was the most wicked.
The pattern is not about Paul's job as an apostle; it is about being a sinner saved by pure grace. Les says even those who never persecuted anyone were still sinners in God's sight. Every believer is saved the same way Paul was — by God's mercy and longsuffering.
Paul received mercy so that in him first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering. His salvation became a pattern to those who should hereafter believe on Christ to life everlasting.
Watch the Teaching: Paul's Gospel vs. Peter's: What You Must Believe to Be Saved