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PAUL'S LETTERS TO TIMOTHY

GRACE AND THE COMBAT FOR THE GOSPEL

1 Timothy 1:12 -20

 

The grace of God to Paul

In this passage, the apostle points out with gratitude the great mercy of God toward himself, not only in saving him from his sin, but also in making him a preacher of the Gospel and setting him as an example for believers.

Mercy for forgiveness – verses 12-14

Paul speaks mainly of his blasphemy and violence at the time when he was persecuting the church (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2). It was done "in ignorance" and "in disbelief" - but this was not an excuse, because he was master of divine Law, waiting for the Messiah, but not wanting to accept Jesus of Nazareth as such.

Therefore, he needed "mercy” of God to be forgiven, because even the sins of ignorance need atonement (Leviticus 5:17 -19; Hebrews 9: 7). As a great sinner, Paul found in Christ true mercy, fidelity and love, receiving from Him not only forgiveness and salvation, but also the honour of being an apostle.

The "FAITHFUL WORD" – verses 15 to 16

This is the first of five "faithful words" dealt with by Paul in the letters to Timothy and to Titus. Each concerns an important aspect of the Church:

·         1 Timothy 1:15 – the Beginning of Church: Christ came...

·         1 Timothy 3:1 – the Control of the Church: elders...

·         1 Timothy 4:9 - the Conduct of the Church: compassion...

·         2 Timothy 2:11 - the Fellowship of the Church: with Christ...

·         Tito 3:8 – the Charity of the Church: good works ...

Here is the great historical fact of the Gospel - Jesus Christ, the Messiah, God in the flesh, CAME INTO THE WORLD for the purpose of saving sinners (Luke 19:10). He revealed to us the love of God, “gave Himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:6). Among all the sinners (millions!) saved by Christ, Paul considered himself the worst, and less than the least (Ephesians 3:8).

Even so, by the infinite grace of God, Paul had the honour of being made as "model" for every sinner that needed (and wanted) salvation; the worst sinners can be saved - and sanctified by the same merciful Saviour who saved Paul!

Doxology – verse 17

Here is a doxology of praise and worship, addressed to the only God and King eternal, without distinction between the Persons of the Deity.

There was, in those days, the "gift of prophecy" in churches (1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:3) and we have examples of special prophecies in Acts 11:27-28; 13:1-2; 21:10-11.

Prophecies concerning Timothy - verse 18

There appear to have been some prophecies made at the time of the conversion of Timothy, or when he was called to accompany Paul in evangelical work. Would they be predictions of difficulties and combat? ... of subtle temptations? … of spiritual victories? … Whatever they were, Paul brings them to the memory of Timothy, to encourage and fortify him in his fight against satanic powers, who would make every effort to divert him from his duty and even from his faith in Christ.

Examples of corruption – verses 19 and 20

This had already happened with Hymenaeus and Alexander, among others. Knowing the evangelical teaching ("doctrine"), they desired and allowed sin in their life and, with consciences so corrupted, changed the doctrine to make it conform to their sinful lives and thus suffered "shipwreck" - becoming a danger to others.

Hymenaeus is mentioned in 2 Timothy 2-17, with his false teaching concerning the resurrection. Alexander may be the same person mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:14, but it was a very common name and the identification is doubtful.

“I delivered to Satan" appears to be an apostolic action, condemning those two blasphemers to a punishment out of the ordinary and of satanic origin. We have examples of this apostolic authority in Acts 5:10; 13:11 and 1 Corinthians 5:3-5,13. Note that these cases are exceptional; they do not mean that every believer disciplined by the church is delivered to Satan, however they show how serious sin is in the eyes of God.

 

 Richard Dawson Jones (1895-1987)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

 

15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

 

 

18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

 

 

 

19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1Timothy chapter 1, verses 12 to 20