The expression The saying is sure occurs five times in the Pastoral Letters (in addition to here, it occurs also in 3.1; 4.9; 2 Tim 2.11; and Titus 3.8) but nowhere else in the New Testament. The formula is used to emphasize not only the importance but primarily the trustworthiness of the saying to which it refers. In some of these occurrences it is not easy to determine whether the formula refers to what precedes or to what follows. In the present case, however, it clearly points to what follows, namely, to the statement regarding the role of Christ as savior of sinners. In order to make this clear, it may be necessary in some languages to put the formula after the statement, as indeed some translations have done (for example, Contemporary English Version “ ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ This saying is true, and it can be trusted”). In some languages it will be helpful to say “The following saying is true” or “The words that follow are true….” Other languages may follow CEV’s model above and say something like “ ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ This is a saying that is true and we can trust (or, place our hearts in) it.” The term for saying (literally “word”) is used in the Pastoral Letters in a variety of ways, as, for example, a message from God (4.5), a synonym for teaching or doctrine (4.6), actual speech (4.12), and preaching (5.17). In the present case “word” refers to a particular statement with a special content that needs to be emphasized. Sure translates the same word that is translated “faithful” in verse 12. The focus on each instance is on trustworthiness—in the former case, of Paul, and in the present case, of the statement.

The trustworthiness of the statement is further stressed and enhanced by the addition of the expression worthy of full acceptance. Worthy describes something or someone as deserving of recognition because of merit, value, or worth. Acceptance conveys the idea of believing something to be true and deserving to be recognized and received; full stresses the completeness of the recognition and reception of the truth of the statement. Good News Translation combines these elements admirably: “to be completely accepted and believed.” One may also express this as “that we can completely accept and believe” or “that we can receive with no reservations, and can believe.”

The statement that follows is about Christ Jesus and his mission as Savior of sinners. Came into the world is perhaps a reference to the Incarnation; world refers not primarily to the created order (the universe) but to the world of human beings; this part of the statement is quite similar to John 1.14, “The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us” (Good News Bible). Save can be understood negatively as rescue from danger and positively as restoration to a state of well-being in the present life as well as preservation after death; furthermore, the term can be used in a physical, moral, or spiritual sense. In the present context the moral and spiritual sense seems to be in focus: through the action of Christ, sinners are rescued from their bad moral and spiritual condition and are given divine salvation or new life, that is, life that is in accordance with God’s will. Sinners are people whose lives and actions are contrary to the will and law of God. In some languages this clause will be rendered as “Christ Jesus came into the world to free evil people from their bad condition.” Furthermore, it will be more natural style in certain languages to begin this verse with this statement; for example, “ ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to free sinners from their evil condition!’ This saying is true.” However, it is also possible to reverse the order of the clauses; for example, “People have sinful hearts (or, minds), so they sin. But Christ Jesus came to rescue them from their sinful condition.”

An example of these sinners that Christ Jesus came to save is Paul himself. He describes himself as the foremost of sinners; this is literally “first,” but not in a chronological sense (that is, not the first one to commit sin) but in terms of seriousness of sin, hence foremost, “worst” (Good News Translation), or even “greatest.” The focus here is not on Paul’s moral lapses or immoral conduct but on his rejection of Christ that led him to become one of the greatest persecutors of Christ’s followers. His description of himself as the worst of sinners expresses both his sense of helplessness because of his rejection of Christ, and the greatness of Christ’s act of bestowing on him new life that was completely undeserved and unexpected.

Alternative translation models for this verse are:
• The following is (or, The words that follow are) a true saying that we can receive with no reservations and believe: Christ Jesus came into the world to free people who do sinful things from their evil condition. I am the worst (or, greatest) of such people.

Or:
• “Christ Jesus came into the world to free sinners from their evil condition!” This saying is true, and we can trust it. I am….

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .