1 Timothy 1:12-14

Did God save Paul because He foresaw that Paul would be faithful (1 Timothy 1:12)? No, but God entrusted him with the ministry he had received at least in part for that reason.

"Not skill or knowledge but faithfulness is the first qualification for a minister of Christ (1 Corinthians 4:2)." [Note: Hiebert, p. 40.]

Paul had not opposed Jesus Christ and His church because he wanted to dishonor God. Paul believed he was serving God by persecuting Christians. He was mistaken about who Jesus Christ is. For this reason God had mercy on him. The Old Covenant also distinguished between unwitting and purposeful sinning (cf. Leviticus 22:14; Numbers 15:22-31; Romans 10:3; 2 Timothy 1:3). The Greek word translated "violent aggressor" ("violent man," NIV; hubristes) means a proud, haughty man. Such a person heaps insulting language on others and or does some shameful act of wrong against them.

God poured out grace, trust, and love on Paul even though Paul had poured out blasphemy, persecution, and violence on God.

"Jesus recognized this principle when He prayed on the cross, ’Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34). Their ignorance did not save them, nor did Christ’s prayer save them; but the combination of the two postponed God’s judgment, giving them an opportunity to be saved." [Note: Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, 2:212.]