And now Paul points to himself like a stain-glassed window where all the colors of mercy and grace and love come alive! Sinners can be saved!

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1 Introduction In the opening of his letter Paul calls on Timothy to defend the faith (vv.1-11) but now defines the minister (vv.12-17). Paul appeals to his own commission and conversion as an example of God s grace and mercy and love in salvation. Paul draws on his own testimony to provide a sharp contrast between himself and the false teachers. In this short section Paul tells us what God did (v.12; 14-15); when God did it (v.13) and why God did it (vv.16-17). What did God do? He selected Paul and saved Paul and when did God do it when Paul was Saul violent, insolent (injurious) a blasphemer and persecutor of Christians. Why in the world did God save Paul? I am sure we could list lots of reasons but Paul offers this explanation to provide a pattern an example that God was willing to demonstrate His amazing grace on the worst of sinners. Paul has already condemned those false teachers who pervert the law of Moses and fail to understand the purpose of the law. The law serves its purposes when it reveals and condemns our sins! The false teachers wanted to impose the law of Moses on the believers at Ephesus! Paul wants to impose Christ on both Timothy and the saints. Paul wasn t saved by keeping the law. Paul was saved by the Lord Jesus Christ and believing the gospel. Paul seems to illustrate the lawful use of the law by his own testimony! And now Paul points to himself like a stain-glassed window where all the colors of mercy and grace and love come alive! Sinners can be saved! Paul wants to give Timothy guidance, encouragement and dare I say inspiration! Placed In Service By The Lord Jesus (vv.12-14) 1 Timothy 1:12 17 (NKJV)12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, Paul begins by reminding Timothy that Jesus placed Paul in service. Paul was not simply chosen by the leaders nor was he a self appointed teacher. Paul was placed in ministry by the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul did not choose the ministry as a vehicle for self-enrichment or because his parents thought he would make a good minister. Paul was placed in service by the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul uses the word enabled (endunamoosanti) which means to strengthen by imparting power this power comes from Christ. This power is not self-generated. This is not something artificial, superficial, emotional or personal. Paul uses the same term in Philippians 4:13 where he writes; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens (same word) me (NKJV). Jesus placed Paul in ministry and therefore strengthen Paul for ministry. No person has the ability to conduct God s business apart from God s power. The self-appointed minister is doomed to failure. The minister Jesus selects, and empowers cannot fail. 1

2 Can self-appointed ministers provide some physical and emotional support? Perhaps. But who can save a person from sin, death and the judgment to come? Only Jesus can save people from sin, death and future judgment. The Lord Jesus placed Paul in service. The expression counted me faithful or judged faithful translates the Greek word hegesato which means considered a word that is less judgment and more relationship Paul does not think he earned God s favor by being a sincere sinner or a misguided sinner but that even this call and commission was due to God s grace (see Life Application Bible Commentary; p. 30). Paul does not rationalize or glorify his rebellion and disobedience to God. Paul is placed in ministry by Jesus. Paul s purpose is established sovereignly by God (He counted me faithful). 13although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Paul does something remarkable. He does not paint a picture of himself as different from the false teachers but in fact identifies himself as a sinner! Can we exaggerate or sensationalize or glorify our past sinful behavior? The New Testament paints a less than flattering picture of Saul prior to his conversion. He holds the coats of the men infuriated with Stephen s testimony of Jesus. Saul was there giving approval to Stephen s death (see Acts 8:1). Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison (Acts 8:3). Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord s disciples (Acts 9:1 NIV). Paul himself testified concerning himself; I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women (Acts 22:4); many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them (Acts 26:10) And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities (Acts 26:11). I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 26:9 NIV). I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it (Gal.1:13). Why does Paul designate himself a recovering blasphemer? What is a blasphemer? It is a person who uses all means to make Christians renounce their faith, Christ and the gospel or face persecution. No observant Jew would intentionally speak evil of God or slander God but Paul realized his viscous attack on the person of Jesus and the saints was in fact an attack against 2

3 God! Paul sees himself in the true light of God s law. Paul broke the first half of the ten commands and the broke the last half of the ten commandments. The word insolent means violent aggressor (hybristes only here and in Romans 1:30 translated despiteful). The word suggests someone bloated with pride who heaps insults on others or does some shameful act or injury. Paul demonstrates his humility by his admission of guilt prior to his conversion and transformation. Paul was not a Jewish apostate who rejected the teachings of the Pharisees or the Law of Moses. Paul was a Jew doing everything a Jew could do to earn his salvation. By his own latter admission he was lost and damned. Though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else things he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ (Philippians 3:4-7). Paul s claim to ignorance is not a claim of innocence by reason of ignorance! Paul s claim of ignorance is also not an excuse to deny guilt! It is simply an admission that he did not understand the gospel or the truth about the identity of Jesus the mission Jesus or the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Paul was honestly trying to protect and defend his religion and worldview. Paul s claim to ignorance does not preclude the need for forgiveness. Like all sinners Paul needed a Savior. His willing repentance when confronted by Christ (cf.romans 7:9; Phil. 3:8-9) is evidence that he had not understood the ramifications of his actions. He truly though he was doing God a service (Acts 26:9) (see The MacArthur Bible Commentary; p.1779). But his memories of blasphemy, persecution and injury do not overwhelm him! But sometimes the memories of rebellion overwhelm and haunt the saint. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. The grace and faith and love are massive doses of medicine that provide the cure to our sinful condition. Grace faith and love turned Paul. But not grace faith and love separated from the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not grace or faith or love in the abstract but in the concrete gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is turned by the Holy Spirit. Simply put grace is God s loving forgiveness by which God grants salvation apart from any personal merit on the part of those He saves (see Romans 3:24; Gal.1:6). 3

4 Paul crams in this single verse all the elements of salvation. Grace with faith. Faith includes a voluntary and sincere change of mind by the sinner that causes the sinner to turn to Jesus from their sin (repentance). Faith comes by hearing the message of Jesus Christ our Lord. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb.11:6) and we are justified by faith (Rom.5:1) and for by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph.2:8-9). Paul in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father. How does one experience the amazing transformation from sinner to saint? Religion? Law? No. Jesus. Grace. With faith and love. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant (more than abundant). We live by faith. We stand in faith. We walk in faith. We fight in faith. Paul later tells Timothy (6:12) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Love demonstrated in sacrifice. The love of Jesus is revealed in the sacrifice of Jesus. Blood. Shed. Innocent. Applied. Salvation always by blood always by a person always by grace. Faith is the Holy Spirit s act and attitude toward Jesus. Faith in Jesus is more than simply believing that Jesus exists or even what He says is true. Faith is that grace that brings us into vital living union with Jesus and through Jesus we are able to hear and do what He says. When Paul spoke of the labor of love (1 Thess. 1:3) it was the hard work and toil effort to please God in our efforts. The patience of hope speaks of endurance. Pardoned As A Pattern For Future Saints (vv.15-16) 15This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Paul will use the expression faithful saying three more times in his letters to Timothy (see 1 Timothy 3:1; 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11) and again in Titus 3:8. The expression seems to mean a summary of a key doctrines well known in the churches and accepted by all without dispute. Paul s self-designation as chief literally translates; ranked first. Does this mean that Paul considers himself the worst sinner who ever lived? I don t think so. The point seems in reference to the Jews to Israel. I suspect that Paul hints that his conversion is a type or picture of what is in store for Israel as a whole as a people and a nation. The Lord 4

5 Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Jews and Gentiles. Paul speaks of himself as one born out of due time (1 Cor.15:8) in the sense of premature or what William MacDonald calls born again prior to the rebirth of his people Israel. Just as he was saved by a direct revelation from heaven and apart from human instrumentality, so perhaps in this same way the Jewish remnant will be saved during the coming Tribulation Period. This interpretation seems to be borne out by the words first and pattern in verse 16 (See William MacDonald Believer s Bible Commentary; p. 2079). I don t disagree with MacDonald s insight. But I don t see any reason why we need to restrict the insight to the salvation of the Jewish people. Does Paul s conversion mean something for the non Jew as well? Where do we place a violent murderer who persecuted the church in order of opposition? Whatever Paul used to be all that changed in Jesus Christ. The change in Paul does not occur because he kept the Law but rather by God s grace through faith in Christ. Paul offers his own experience as proof that the gospel was for sinners (v.15); rather than for those who claim to keep the law. 16However, 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. Why should people believe in Jesus? Clearly the gospel is true. Jesus saves sinners. Paul s conversion had the effect of prompting belief in others! What does Paul s testimony suggest? Think of the power of the true gospel in contrast to the empty promises of false doctrine! Paul s testimony is repeated six other times in the NT (see Acts 9; 22; 26; Gal. 1; 2; Phil.3:1-14). Paul points to a gospel that saves sinners! Paul goes on record that he is a poster child meant to display God s gracious and merciful patience. Paul was living breathing proof that no matter how wicked, disgusting, terrifying, perverse, evil, misguided a person might be God is merciful God is longsuffering. I what sense? Paul references God s patience with people. The word pattern is interesting. Countries that mint coins will often produce a pattern that will serve as the basis for the shape, content and devices for future coins. In the printing trade a pattern meant the first proof. Does Paul provide a kind of proof for future converts? 5

6 Paul obtained mercy is that mercy also available to me? God was patient with Paul. God is patient with all who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life! How do we obtain salvation? Praising The Savior Now And Forever (v.17) 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. What does God s call to the ministry produce? A profound expression of gratitude to God for His faithfulness! How can we fail to sing of the mercies of the Lord forever? Paul praises the Lord for what He has done! The verse belongs in a category theologians call a doxology. We are hard pressed to know if Paul sings to Jesus or God or Jesus as God! Jesus is the King eternal and immortal and for the time being invisible. In this context some Bible teachers think the term invisible refers to God in his fullness in his wisdom honor and glory eternal and uninterrupted. The very fact that Paul refuses to distinguish which person of the Godhead is being referenced strongly argues that all persons in the Godhead retain all the attributes of God. The doxology is not simply a teaching tool so that we are aware of the attributes of God but also a mental and emotional and spiritual outpouring of worship and praise and joy! These words magnify the Lord. Eternal, immortal, invisible, wisdom, honor glory, forever. Trust in Him at all times (Psalm 42:8). I will bless the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:1). A friend loves at all times (Prov.17:17). Blessed...is he that does righteousness at all times Psalm 96:3). My soul breaks for the longing that it has unto Thy judgments at all times (Psalm 99:20). He maintains the cause...of His people at all times (1 Kings 8:59) The Lord...give you peace at all times (2 Thess.3:16 R.V.). Trust at all times; praise at all times; love at all times; righteousness at all times; godly desires at all times; faithfulness at all times; proper concern at all times! Is it possible to give God to much praise? Put on the garment of praise. Cast off the garment of despair (see Isaiah 61:3). Augustine wrote; Mans chief work is the praise of God. Francis Shaeffer used to tell his students; One day all Christians will join in a doxology and sing God s praises with perfection. But even today, individually and corporately, we are not only to sing the doxology, but to be the doxology. Conclusion Paul was placed in ministry. Paul was empowered in ministry. 6

7 Paul was pardoned for ministry in that he might also serve as a pattern for future ministry. Paul praises God. Has God saved you? Placed you in ministry? Empowered you for service? Pardoned your sins and made you a pattern of grace, of faith, of love. Paul will challenge and remind Timothy that the same Jesus who placed Paul in ministry placed Timothy and empowered Timothy and pardoned Timothy and will use Timothy to the praise and the honor and the glory of God. Where is your place in ministry? Who is your power for ministry? What is your testimony? Have you experienced the pardon for sin that demands praise to God? 7