The Worst of All Sinners

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Next to Jesus, the Apostle Paul was the most influential person in history. 

He wrote the most books in the New Testament, started the modern missionary movement that is still active 2,000 years later, upended Greek philosophy by rooting the meaning of existence in the resurrection of Jesus, defined grace as the foundation of Christianity, and described love as serving others.

The Apostle Paul stands singularly atop the pinnacle of good works, and yet he confesses at the end of his life that he is the worst of all sinners. Let’s read his exact words…

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV).

Today, could you imagine a politician or talking head media figure saying such a thing?  

For those of us who fit into the “ancient of days” category, we might remember when Jimmy Carter said in an interview with Playboy® magazine, “I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust; I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” Carter was speaking honestly about his Christian faith, his flaws, and his belief in God’s forgiveness.

And he was pilloried!

People were so shocked that Jimmy Carter immediately dropped 15 points in the polls and barely surpassed Gerald Ford in the presidential election a few weeks later. Agreed, a statement like this today might seem trite, but media advisors still advise politicians about the “TMI” trap (Too Much Information) and media weaponization of weaknesses.

Not to mention getting pilloried by Bill Maher.

Yet, Paul — with his writings still read daily by millions — gets away with admitting that he was the foremost sinner. Why? Let’s read the reason for the Apostle Paul’s confession… 

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:16-17).

Paul contrasted “sin” with “mercy,” not condoning sin to get more mercy but explaining, as an example for all of us, that we too have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). To pillory Paul for his confession would be our ultimate hypocrisy. 

Paul’s writing skillfully removes our attention from his inadequacies to our personal sin. The admittance of his sin makes me think (and you should as well), “Wow, if the great saint, the Apostle Paul, claims to be the worst of all sinners, how can I proclaim salvation based upon my good works?”

That’s Paul’s point, helping us understand that the good news of mercy can only be received after we also admit bad news — our sin. Okay, Paul, I admit to being an even worse sinner than you and Jimmy Carter.

And Bill Maher, I hope you read this and pillory me. I deserve it, and you do too. We can only survive by mercy.