The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant. — 1 Tim 1:14
Some one has said that to him the greatest wonder in the story of divine grace was that he himself had been saved. Paul seems to have felt the same wonder regarding himself. He had been a blasphemer, a persecutor; yet Christ had chosen him for His service. In this the grace of Christ abounded exceedingly.
Note also that the apostle says as to the reason why he had been thus saved: “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief – chief of sinners – might Jesus Christ shew forth all His longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on Him.” That is, the reason Paul was forgiven and made a preacher was that no other sinner need ever despair. If he could be forgiven, after all he had done against Christ, anybody could be forgiven. Christ saved the chief sinner that lesser sinners ever after might have confidence as they sought mercy. But every one of us may also wonder why we are saved, for not one of us is worthy.