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.
Ver. 15. This is a faithful saying] Worthy to be credited and embraced, as it was by Bilney the martyr, who by this promise was much comforted in a great conflict. So was Ursine byJohn 10:29. Another by Isaiah 57:15. And another by Isaiah 26:3, saying that God hath graciously made it fully good to his soul.
Of whom I am chief] Primus, quo nullus prior, as Gerson expounds it; Imo quo nullus peior, as Augustine, more worse than the worst. The true penitentiary doth not elevate but aggravate his sins against himself, is ever full in the mouth this way, as Daniel 9:5. Paul veils all his top sails, we see, and sits down in the dust; vilifying and nullifying himself to the utmost.