1 AMAZING GRACE! 1 Timothy 1:12-17 After having warned Timothy about false teachers, Paul focuses on the grace of God by thanking God for his own conversion and by describing his former state. How could Paul conceivably write about grace without giving a testimony to how he had personally experienced it. Grace was not just a theological concept to Paul; it was an experience that changed his life revolutionized his life and overwhelmed him for the rest of his life. This is why he kept referring back to it. PAUL THANKS GOD FOR HIS OWN CONVERSION (1:12-14) Paul marvels at how God s grace was so abundantly poured out: I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (vv. 12-14). Paul thanks God for his own conversion (vv. 12-14) and He proves this by change by its supernatural effects. He who was a profane man, has become a believer. And he who did most outrageously persecuted Christ, burns now in love towards him. Paul says that God showed mercy because he acted in ignorance and unbelief (v. 13). This does not mean that ignorance in and of itself deserves pardon, but that it is a less culpable cause of unbelief than pride and willful hardening of one's self against the truth (Jn 9:41; Ac 26:9). Therefore it is Christ's plea of intercession for His murderers (Lk 23:34); and it is made by Paul to be a mitigating circumstance in the Jews' sin, and one giving a hope of a door of repentance (Ac 3:17; Ro 10:2). It is not that Paul implies that ignorance was a sufficient reason for mercy being bestowed; but shows how it was possible that such a sinner could obtain mercy. The positive ground of mercy being shown to him, lies solely in the compassion of God (Titus 3:5). The ground of the ignorance lies in the unbelief, which implies that this ignorance is not unaccompanied with guilt. But there is a great difference between his honest zeal for the law, and a willful striving against the Spirit of God (Mt 12:24-32; Lk 11:52). Not having considered the nature and evidences of Christianity, and not having believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah, Paul acted under the presumption that motivated his fellow countrymen in trying to stamp out The Way (the original name given to Christians Ac 18:26; 19:9; 22:4; 24:14,22), which they considered to be a cult. God therefore showed Paul mercy, because he did not know any better. Yet such mercy does not excuse the violent conduct of Saul of Tarsus, who himself admits that he was very angry against this new religious movement.
2 Is it any wonder that Paul then breaks out in exuberance about the grace of God! He says,.. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (vv. 12-14). Paul was faithful (v. 12). Our greatest gift to God is not our ability, but our availability. Paul made himself available to God. He did not allow his past to disqualify him from serving God. God's mercy and grace were enough to cover, and enable him to serve God. We should never feel that our past makes us unusable by God. Although ignorance and unbelief never excuse our sin, they do invite God's mercy, because sin in ignorance and unbelief makes one less guilty than the believer who sins knowingly. What was so amazing to Paul when it came to grace was that even a blasphemer and a persecutor could serve God (v. 13). Even though Paul did his utmost to try to exterminate all who called on the name of the Lord Jesus, he was forgiven and called to be an apostle. In Acts 8:1-3 we have a straight-forward account of what happened: On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Paul shares two accounts in the book of Acts of his conversion (Ac 9 and 22). In his account in Acts 22 he confesses: I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of the Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished (vv. 3-5). Is it any wonder that when Paul talks about grace he is very emphatic! What makes God s grace even more amazing is the attitude Paul had when he was part of the religious establishment. In the account of Stephen s death it states: And Saul was there, giving approval to his death (Ac 8:1).
3 This is the account of the first Christian martyr Stephen: When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Look, he said, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. At this they covered their ears and yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. When he had said this, he fell asleep (Ac 7:54-60). What did Luke mean by saying that Saul was there, giving approval to his death (8:1)? Did he mean that Paul was merely approving of the death sentence he deserved because he was guilty of blasphemy? The picture we get is more of a crowd that considered what was being done to what they considered a blaspheming Christian was well deserved. Every stone thrown at him was justified. We see a mob which raged against him with a vehemence more suited to a lynching than to proceedings before a court of law. The Greek underlying the word destroy was sometimes used to describe the ravages of wild animals. The crowd, in other words, were coming at Stephen as wild animals ready to tear into him for all its worth. Full of insolence and malevolence Paul thought he was carrying out God s service, while sacrificing men and women to his own prejudices and intolerance. The word for giving approval (suneudokeo) is also translated giving consent meaning literally to think well with or to take pleasure with others in something. In other words, Paul was not just intellectually agreeing with what his countrymen were doing, but he took pleasure in it. It is one thing to carry out a duty in having someone put to death, it is another to enjoy it. Paul enjoyed it. In Luke s account of Paul s conversion in Acts 9 he states: Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord s disciples (v. 1). It is also translated breathing threats of slaughter. The image we get here is that of fire-breathing dragons. Paul was enraged by these people who claimed that Jesus was the Messiah.
4 The idea is that grace is super abundant or extraordinary. The contrast is amazing to Paul when he thinks of his own sinfulness and God s graciousness. It simply overwhelms him! PAUL DESCRIBES HIS FORMER STATE (1:15-17) In speaking of God s unlimited patience, Paul describes his former state: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (vv. 15-17). Timothy was called to the ministry according to many prophecies which went before of him, should both maintain the doctrine which he had received, and keep also a good conscience. This truth of the doctrine that changed Paul's life was the truth he commands Timothy to guard earlier in the chapter. The statement, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (v. 15) gives us the purpose of our Lord s coming. What is a more glorious truth than this? And Paul qualifies this statement by the fact that it is trustworthy, that is, we can count upon it. It is not mere wishful thinking. The expression that Jesus came into the world to save sinners (Jn 1:29; Ro 5:12; 1 Jn 2:2) implies His preexistence. He was not just born as others; He came on a mission. As He testified,... it was for this very reason I came to this hour (Jn 12:27). He is "the true Light that gives light to every man was coming into the world" (Jn 1:9). He came to save sinners even notable sinners like Saul of Tarsus. Jesus came to save sinners, not those living under the illusion of their own righteousness. It is the sick who need a physician (Mk 2:17). We live in a day and age when the terms sin and sinner have become virtually extinct. Preachers are guilty as well as others for fear of offending anyone from the pulpit. Because we are all sinners; and therefore condemned justly condemned to eternal death, God s grace is our only hope. Christ Jesus became incarnate, suffered and died to redeem us. By His grace He saves us from our sins.
5 Furthermore, such truth deserves full acceptance (v. 15). Because we all need it, it is worthy of be embraced by all. It is inclusive. It is designed for the whole human race. Because of God s grace His unmerited favor it is within the reach of every person. Is Paul s description of himself as the worst of all sinners (v. 15) merely hyperbole sheer exaggeration or modesty and humility or possibly a realistic assessment. After all, when we look at his ignorance, unbelief and persecuting rage, what greater sinner has been rescued by God s love and grace? The point is, if Jesus Christ, with whom there can be no respect of persons, saved Saul of Tarsus, no sinner needs to despair. There is hope for everyone! Paul ends this section with a doxology: DOXOLOGY (1:17) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (vv. 17). Paul s burst of gratitude to God is understandable in light of what he has been talking about. God has supernaturally manifested His goodness and mercy and kindness by saving him and making him as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life (v. 16) so that Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience (v. 16). Paul never quite got over God s grace to him. How could he? This is why he repeatedly refers back to his former way of life (Ac 8:3; 9:1-2; 22:1-21; 1 Co 15:9, Gal 1:13, Php 3:6). There are kinds of sin that are more grievous to God than others. In addition to spiritual pride (Mt 23) and considering and telling others they are worthless (Mt 5:22), sins that harm those who are most vulnerable in society children, widows, the poor are addressed much more than other sins (Mt 18:6; 25; Jas 1:27). Paul was chosen to be a pattern to all who shall believe on Christ in the future. Paul begins his description of God as the King. This description emphasizes the fact that God is the King who rules and reigns in complete power and glory. Paul s description of God here is that he is eternal. This is reference to the eternity that was before time and the eternity that shall be when time is no more. Immortal means incorruptible, that is, it is not liable to decay or corruption. It is permanent and therefore incapable of decomposition.
6 Invisible means that which fills everything, works everywhere, and yet is invisible to angels and people. It is ironic that the reverse is true of false gods and idols. They are confined to one spot, work nowhere, and, being made of wood and stones, are seen by every body. The expression the only wise God refers to God s infinite wisdom. The words honor and glory refers to the respect and reverence of which only God is worthy to receive. It is ascribing to Him at the same time all the excellences and perfections which can be possessed by an immortal, invisible and eternal Being; and this for ever and ever throughout eternity. APPLICATION By embracing God s grace and being available to him, we, like Paul, can become a pattern an example to those who are going to believe on Him so that others can see what God can do with us. Grace Greater than Our Sin Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. (Refrain) Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today. (Refrain)
7 Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive? (Refrain) --Text: Julia H. Johnston Music: Daniel B. Towner Amazing Grace Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace. When we've been here ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we've first begun. --John Newton (1725-1807)
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