What is 1 Tim 1:15 really mean?

[dan p]

Hi to all , and this a follow up on when the Body of Christ began .

1) I have A FRIEND who made a word for word translation .

2) Faithful is the Word and worthy of all reception that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners , of whom I am the FIRST .

3) Please notice that did not use the word CHIEF, WHY NOT ?

4) The Greek word PROTOS means FIRST .

5) And in a secondary sense means " CHIEF " WHEN SPEAKING OF RANK OR DIGNITY , which is NOT the case here.

6) In v16 PROTOS is used again , But for this reason I was given mercy , in order that in me ------------PROTOS/ FIRST Christ Jesus might show forth all longsuffering for a PATTERN of the ones coming to believe on Him unto to everlasting life .

7) To me this is proof that Paul was the first ONE in the Body of Christ and this where Christianity began and just can hear some objections .Lets go at it and I am ready .

 

[samuel]

No Paul was not the first in the body, Cornelius and his family, plus over 5000 Jews were before Paul. To use the word "Chief" in place of "First" here would be quite correct, as Paul considered himself to be in the highest rank of sinners.

 

[dan p]

Hi samuel , I sure like to see in Acts 10 , where the Body of Christ is mentioned in Acts 10 .

Did Peter say that he was saved by Grace or DID Cornelius recieved the Holy Spirit and then he was Baptized in Acts 10:44-, and in v45 Luke is talking to the Circumcision and those are Jews , then in v46 they spoke in tongues, is that what happened when you were saved ? tHIS IS EVEN DIFFERENT from Mark 16:16 ?

 

[Paidion]

I Tim 1:15 records that Paul said that he was the "first" of sinners ---- not the first in the Body of Christ. Clearly, Paul was not the first of sinners. There were many sinners before Paul. There is no doubt that he meant that he was the foremost of sinners (or "chief" of sinners). For Paul regarded his persecution of Christians, putting them to death, was the worst sins that could be committed.

Here is another passage in which "first" is used in the same way:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40


There is no sense in which the commandment "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" is the FIRST commandment. It is the foremost or chief commandment. And the SECONDARY commandment was "Love your neighbor as yourself." That is it was secondary to the foremost, but greater than any other.

 

[Blazin Bones]

Padion, your defense of the translation along with sound theological truth make for one excellent post. Someone has learned well how to study the scriptures.

I agree with the rendering of cheif to be the correct translation. Could we all be wrong, yes it is possible.

 

[dan p]

Hi to blazing saddles , I believe what I have posted is correct , just look it on W .E. VINES Greek Dictionary and see , and the same word PROTOS is used in v 16 and the Greek backs me up .