1:12 I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, 1:13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant 4 man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, 1:14 and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus. 5 1:15 This saying 6 is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! 7 1:16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that 8 in me as the worst, 9 Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.
1 tn A continuation of the preceding idea: Grk “teaching, according to the gospel.” This use of the law is in accord with the gospel entrusted to Paul (cf. Rom 7:7-16; Gal 3:23-26). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
2 tn Grk “the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.”
3 tn Grk “with which I was entrusted.” The translation is more in line with contemporary English style.
4 tn Or “violent,” “cruel.”
7 tn Grk “with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”
10 tn Grk “the saying,” referring to the following citation (see 1 Tim 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3:8 for other occurrences of this phrase).
11 tn Grk “of whom I am the first.”
13 tn Grk “but because of this I was treated with mercy, so that…”
14 tn Grk “in me first,” making the connection with the last phrase of v. 15.