1 Timotius 1:12-16

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 ¹  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. ²  1:15 This saying ³  is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! ⁴  1:16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that ⁵  in me as the worst, ⁶  Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

[1:13]  ¹ tn Or “violent,” “cruel.”

[1:14]  ² tn Grk “with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

[1:15]  ³ 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).

[1:15]  ⁴ tn Grk “of whom I am the first.”

[1:16]  ⁵ tn Grk “but because of this I was treated with mercy, so that…”

[1:16]  ⁶ tn Grk “in me first,” making the connection with the last phrase of v. 15.