The apostle Paul declared his thankfulness to God in several places. In 1 Timothy, the gratitude is focused on the transformation God allowed with these words, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1:12-13). Paul’s pre-Christian lifestyle as Saul of Tarsus was one of a rising star in Judaism. He, at some point, had moved from Tarsus in Cilicia to Jerusalem to study at the feet of the well-respected Gamaliel (Acts 21:39; 22:3; cf. 5:34). One might speculate that Paul could have been on course to be the next teacher of Israel and to be respected by all the people.
In any other generation he might have been, but it so happened that he lived in the fullness of times when Christ came (cf. Ephesians 1:10; Galatians 4:4). This altered his life immeasurably. At first, of course, he fought to preserve the order of Judaism in which he had been raised. He watched the clothes of those who stoned Stephen, possibly as an instigator rather than just a lad standing by (Acts 7:58). He was, indeed, “consenting to his death” (Acts 8:1). He “made havoc of the church” during the persecution that ensued (Acts 8:2-3). After a while, he “was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). His life was consumed with snuffing out this upstart religion known as Christianity. He was fueled by rage, but he was always careful to show the appearance of legality (cf. Acts 9:2; 22:5). Though he acted in good conscience at the time (Acts 23:1-5; 26:9-11), he later acknowledged his role as a “blasphemer, persecutor, and an insolent man” (1 Timothy 1:13).
He came to experience the forces of Christ that would overwhelm his disturbed error – grace, faith and love (1 Timothy 1:14). He would later write about how we “have access by faith into this grace in which we stand” and therefore experience “peace with God” (Romans 5:1-2). These forces of good were quite sufficient to overcome his evil ways (cf. Romans 12:19-21). He pointed out the magnitude of God’s grace in the next verse. “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). He mourned his past, but he relished the forgiveness in Christ.
His example turns out to be instructive. “However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:16). Saul of Tarsus being transformed into Paul the apostle is quite an extreme case. No one is able to doubt just how far the Lord’s mercy will extend. Can a murderer be forgiven? Absolutely. Any criminal? Of course. There were a lot of people in the Corinthian church who had come out of sordid lifestyles, but they were forgiven (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Note that his error was forgiven because he “did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). He was trying to hold on to his former lifestyle because it was all that he knew. Still, it was sinful (Acts 3:17-19). Even so, it is different than those who revert to a bad lifestyle after knowing better (Hebrews 10:26). Presumptuous (as opposed to unintentional) sins under the Old Law had dire consequences (Numbers 15:30-31).
The life of Paul and this passage of reflection in 1 Timothy therefore teaches: (1) God’s mercy is big enough to forgive anyone, no matter how vile the world may view his or her sins. (2) At the same time, do not presume upon the grace of God. When warned, obey. Procrastination or reversion for selfishness’ sake is quite uncomfortably presumptive (cf. 2 Peter 2:20-22; 2 Corinthians 6:2).
