Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Timothy 1:13

13 Who was before a blasphemer , and a persecutor , and injurious , But I obtained mercy , because I did it ignorantly , in unbelief .

The kindness of God putting me into so noble a service was the greater and more thank-worthy, because before that time I was a blasphemer, one who spake of Christ reproachfully, (for that blasphemy signifieth) Paul was a zealous man in the Jewish Religion, his blasphemy therefore only respected the Second person in the Trinity, which the Jews owned not. Paul compelled others to blaspheme Acts 26.11.

Of his persecution, see Acts 8.3. he entred houses, haled Men and Women to prison, he breathed threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord, Acts 9.2. he persecuted Christianity even to Death, Acts 22.4, 5.

Thus he was injurious, for in other things he was as to the law blameless, Phil. 3.6. bred up a Pharise[illegible: 2 letters] according to the strictest Sect of the Iewish Religion; but he verily thought with himself that he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Iesus of Nazareth; so as he went according to his conscience, (such a one as he had) and ver. 10. He had also Authority from the chief Priests. But neither the dictates of his own erroneous Conscience, nor yet the Command of his Superiours could (according to Paul's Divinity) excuse him from being a persecutor, and injurious.

And standing in need of the free pardoning mercy of God which he saith, he obtained of Gods free Grace.

Because he did it ignorantly we cannot reasonably think that ignorance of the Divine Law (once published) should excuse any transgressor of it, we see men will not allow it as to their Laws, after promulgation, so that although Paul persecuted Christians ignorantly, yet he stood in need of Mercy. Ignorance excuseth not a toto, but a tanto, not in whole, but in part, and makes the sinners sin not to be so exceeding sinful, especially where it is not vincible. Paul's ignorance here mentioned was vincible, he lived in Iudea, where the Gospel had been preached some years, before he persecuted the Professors; he might have heard the Sermons, and seen the miracles preached, and wrought by Christ and the Apostles, but he was bred a Pharisee, and under the prejudices of that Sect which were implacable Enemies to Christ, this kept him in ignorance, Christ allows something for the prejudices of mens Education.

He did what he did also while he was in a state of unbelief. He believed one true and living God, (all the Jews did so) and worshipped him according to the Jewish manner, yet stiles himself an unbeliever. Every man is an unbeliever (in a Gospel sense) that receiveth not Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and his Saviour; though he believes there is one God, &c. Paul addeth this circumstance of his ignorant blaspheming and persecuting the truth, partly to justifie the Divine Mercy that pardoned and preserv'd him: for the Gospel peremptorily excludes from Pardon all that sin against the Holy Ghost, such who being inlightened by the knowledge of the saving Truth, yet for carnal reasons deliberately and maliciously oppose it: now the shewing Mercy to[illegible: 1 letter] Paul was no contradiction to this most wise Law of God: and partly he mentions his ignorance to prevent the abuse of the Divine mercy by men; as if from his example they might securely imitate his persecuting the Saints, or live in a course of sin, though convinc'd of their wickedness, and hope for Mercy at the last.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 15.9.; Joh. 9.39, 41. Act. 3.17.