Bible Strands
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy, his young leader in Ephesus, pausing mid-reflection on his own conversion (v.14) and the purpose of his mercy (v.16).
The words — Pistos (πιστός) marks the saying as a formulaic confession, a stamp of reliability Paul applies to creedal statements throughout his letters. Axios (ἄξιος) goes beyond "true" to "deserving of full acceptance," framing belief as a response to worth, not mere assent.
The thread — The same mission statement recurs in Mark 2:17 (the sick, not the healthy) and Luke 19:10 (the lost), both spoken by Jesus himself; John 3:16 extends the scope to the whole world.
Why it lands — Paul, who persecuted the church, calls himself the worst of sinners and still claims the same saving purpose as anyone else. The verse asks the reader to stop negotiating their place on the inside of that purpose.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
- John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- John 12:47 As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
- John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
- Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
- Romans 5:8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- 1 Timothy 1:13 I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.