Why the Apostle Paul Called Himself the “Worst Sinner” – And Why You Should Too

Welcome to “Verse by Verse,” Episode 49, a weekly series journeying through the Bible centered on the Words of Institution: “Take and eat.” These central verses in Scripture illuminate our exploration of the entire Bible through the lens of the crucified Christ and his radical invitation to eat his body and drink his flesh.
Why the Apostle Paul Called Himself the “Worst Sinner” – And Why You Should Too
In this commentary on 1 Timothy 1:15-17, Paul’s shocking self-designation as the “worst of sinners” isn’t false humility—it’s revolutionary theology. The closer we draw to Christ’s light, the more clearly we see our own shadows. Paul argues that true Christian leadership emerges not from moral superiority but from recognizing our desperate need for grace.
The paradox is profound: our participation in Christ’s crucifixion is simultaneously the worst thing we’ve done and the best thing that’s happened to us. Paul uses present tense—”I am” the worst sinner—indicating this awareness never fades. Christian maturity isn’t progress away from sinfulness but deeper comprehension of grace. Paul is the prototype, and we are just like him.
This “cruciform leadership” transforms everything: we lead not from pedestals but from the front of the “sinners line,” following Christ’s pattern of laying down life for others. When grace overwhelms us, theology becomes doxology—wonder transforms into worship.
Join Rev. Dr. Frank Balgeman as we discover how all of Scripture points to this transformative moment, Holy Communion. Follow the complete series at FranklyYouNeedAProphet.com, check out the Saturday Evening Blog, and don’t forget to subscribe!