Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Howbeit--Greek, "But"; contrasting his own conscious sinfulness with God's gracious visitation of him in mercy.
for this cause--for this very purpose.
that in me--in my case.
first--"foremost." As I was "foremost" (Greek for chief, 1 Timothy 1:15) in sin, so God has made me the "foremost" sample of mercy.
show--to His own glory (the middle Greek, voice), Ephesians 2:7.
all long-suffering--Greek, "the whole (of His) long-suffering," namely, in bearing so long with me while I was a persecutor.
a pattern--a sample (1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:11) to assure the greatest sinners of the certainty that they shall not be rejected in coming to Christ, since even Saul found mercy. So David made his own case of pardon, notwithstanding the greatness of his sin, a sample to encourage other sinners to seek pardon (Psalms 32:5-6). The Greek for "pattern" is sometimes used for a "sketch" or outline--the filling up to take place in each man's own case.
believe on him--Belief rests ON Him as the only foundation on which faith relies.
to life everlasting--the ultimate aim which faith always keeps in view (Titus 1:2).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Job 21:7
1 Corinthians 9:17
1 Timothy 1:2
1 Timothy 1:15
1 Timothy 1:17
1 Timothy 2:7
2 Timothy 1:13
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