1 Timothy 1:13 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

A blasphemer — Of Christ. A persecutor — Of his church. A reviler — Of his doctrine and people. But I obtained mercy — He does not say, because I was unconditionally elected; but because I did it in ignorance. Not that his ignorance took away his sin; but it left him capable of mercy; which he would hardly have been, had he acted thus contrary to his own conviction.