Interesting.... In the scripture you posted Paul refers to himself as the "chief sinner". Then in Phlp 3:5-6 Paul refers to himself as a "Hebrew of Hebrews" and "as for legalistic righteousness, faultless"
So can we then presume that the more faultless you are in legalistic righteousness the bigger sinner you are? Hmmm....
Maybe because Paul at one time had Christians killed and thrown into jail he chose to make it clear that he is not to be exalted. maybe a humble spirit about Gods grace?
Who is the "I"? ...could he be referring to Saul?..probably. However he writes in the present tense. So could "chief" mean he is the 'head' of the sinners?....probably not the meaning Paul intended. The word "chief" besides meaning superior can mean foremost in time, place, or importance. Paul satisfies all of these in Saul as Dennis has already mentioned. And I merely brought out that he could do all these things and still be considered legalisticly faultless as to the law.
Trucker it appears you are trying to lead us down a rabbit trail of your choosing; we are going to need better bread crumbs.
Most commentators say Paul was refering to himself as the 'chief of sinners'.
Rather the 'I' would refer to each and every individual as being the chief of sinners,as the Holy Spirit reveals this to each person..
The person who did not use drugs,drink booze,sleep around,they also did not get arrested for anything in this life.
Had a job for their entire life,obeyed their parents, helped others,sacrificed their lives for others,etc.
These also are called 'Chief of Sinners';seeing that Yeshua had to lay His life down for them,the same way He laid His life down for one such as myslef.
Only the Holy Spirit is able to reveal this to people,as He breaks them.
Yet there are some who believe Yeshua had gotten a good deal when they came around.
