There are five “faithful saying”s (as the KJV translates the phrase) in the Pastoral Epistles. “The saying is trustworthy” (as the ESV puts it) in Titus 3:8, more than likely looking back at the summary that, in so many words, “God saved us.”
The first pistos ho logos comes in 1 Timothy 1:15.
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Paul had just finished giving a mini-testimony, that “though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” (verse 13) God showed him mercy, “and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (verse 14).
Then the faithful saying: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
We do not forget that on His return trip the Anointed Son will break all the haters “with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:9). We do not forget that all the nations are His (Psalm 2:8), and that their rage and rebellion are capital crimes. He is coming, which is our longing at the Lord’s Table.
So “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:12). Near the end of his life, John Newton, who wrote “Amazing Grace,” said this:
“Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.”
Jesus is our hope, even in a world of hate. The gospel is a faithful word of hope, before Jesus returns to save His people and judge His enemies.