Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Howbeit - contrasting his own conscious sinfulness with God's gracious mercy to him.
That in me - in my case. As I was 'foremost' (1 Timothy 1:15) in sin, so God has made me the 'foremost' (not "first") sample of mercy.
Show - to His own glory х endeixeetai (G1731): middle voice, Ephesians 2:7].
All long-suffering, х teen (G3588) hapasan (G5370) - 'the whole (of His)] long-suffering;' namely, in bearing so long with me while a persecutor.
A pattern, х hupotupoosin (G5296), 'for an adumbration:' 'for a type-like sample of (for) them,' etc. (1 Corinthians 10:6; 1 Corinthians 10:11: tupoi (G5179))] - to assure the greatest sinners that they shall not be rejected in coming to Christ, since even Saul found mercy. No greater long-suffering can be required in the case of any other than was exercised in my case. So David made his own pardon, notwithstanding his great sin, a sample to encourage other sinners to seek pardon (Psalms 33:5-6). Literally, 'a sketch' or outline-the 'filling up to take place in each man's case.
Believe on him - belief rests ON Him, the only foundation on which faith relies. х Pisteuein (G4100) autoo (G846) expresses simply believing Him; pisteuein (G4100) en (G1722) autoo (G846) involves union with Him; pisteuein (G4100) eis (G1519) auton (G846) (only in John and Peter), a fuller mystical union, with the notion of mental motion toward; pisteuein epi autoo, reliance upon; pisteuein epi auton, mental motion toward, with a view to reliance on, Him (Ellicott).]
To life everlasting - the ultimate aim which faith always keeps in view (Titus 1:2).