S – Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus

1 Timothy  1:13–14 ESV

O – Commentary:

The reason this was so striking to the apostle was that he knew so well the pit from which he had been dug. When he said he was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, he was not exaggerating for the sake of effect. (See Acts 22:4–5, 19–20; 26:9–11 for the vivid truth.) Yet Paul was shown mercy because his actions were the product of ignorance. Willful disobedience triggers God’s wrath (cf., e.g., Num. 15:22–31; Heb. 10:26). But God deals gently with the ignorant and misguided (Heb. 5:2). The German philosopher Nietzsche said, “If you could prove God to me, I would believe Him all the less.” No such willfulness characterized Paul’s unbelief.

1:14. Therefore the apostle received God’s mercy, not His wrath. God’s grace far outpaced even Paul’s grievous sin. Where there was once only unbelief, God poured out … faith … in Christ.

 A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 732–733.

A –  We can make our own statement like Paul by erasing his description and putting in our own.  I could say, “Though formerly, I was a ignorant, self reliant, good person.”  I received Christ at the age of eleven.  I didn’t party, do illegal things, etc.  YET, I did not know about a relationship with God and was happy to let my “good person” approach be enough.  Whatever we put there – God’s grace and mercy meets us where we are and changes us.

R – Heavenly Father, you are merciful and just.  You extend mercy to meet us in our sin and lack of relationship with you.  You are just in that you will reward and punish people according to the decisions and lives.  Empower us to live a life that is in relationship with you and with hearts that connect with yours.