The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
    Apparently he means that his previous persecution of the church (1 Timothy 1:13; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10) made him the foremost sinner, for it did the most to hinder others from coming to faith (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16). One wonders if Paul’s part in the death of Stephen lingered on his mind and heart. Yet it also allowed God to save Paul as an “example” of grace (1 Timothy 1:16)