1 Timothy 1:15
What does 1 Timothy 1:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 1:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 1:15 means
Paul cites a trustworthy saying: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. This is the heart of the gospel and the purpose of the Incarnation. Paul then adds, “of whom I am chief,” expressing ongoing humility. He does not say he was the foremost, but he is, reflecting a continual awareness of his need for grace. This humility does not undermine assurance; it deepens gratitude for salvation. By uniting Christ’s saving mission with his own unworthiness, Paul magnifies mercy. The statement directs all sinners to Christ as the sufficient Savior who entered our world to rescue the guilty.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief:
KJV
King James Version · 1611This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is a true saying, in which all may put their faith, that Christ Jesus came into the world to give salvation to sinners, of whom I am the chief:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862stedfast <FI>is<Fi> the word, and of all acceptation worthy, that Christ Jesus came to the world to save sinners--first of whom I am;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Faithful [is] the word, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am [the] first.
Context
This verse distills Paul’s testimony into a universal confession. Following the overflow of grace (v. 14), it states Christ’s mission and Paul’s personal grasp of it. The next verse draws out the purpose behind Paul’s mercy: that he might be a living display of Christ’s patience, encouraging those who would later believe. The flow moves from proclamation to example to praise, forming a crescendo that ends in doxology (v. 17) before Paul returns to Timothy’s charge (vv. 18–20).
v.14and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
v.15This passage
v.16howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- Romans 5:6
For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly.
- Matthew 20:28
even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
- Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- 1 John 5:11
And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
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