1Ti 1:12-17 | KingComments | STEP | . The section of shows the contrast between what is entrusted to Paul and the law. Paul had already said in what was entrusted to him and it impresses him again. Therefore he turns to the Source, the Origin of his service and thanks “Christ Jesus our Lord” for the service that He had entrusted to him. He doesn’t thank Him for the redemption here, but for what the Lord wants to do with him on that basis. Do you also do that? For that service you are – as Paul is – not dependent on your own strength. If you try that you will surely fail in your service. But the Lord gives strength. Paul is aware of that and it is important that you too are aware of it. On the one hand you should not work in your own strength. On the other hand there is one thing that indeed has to be present in you to do your service rightly, and that is “faithfulness”. Because the Lord knew that Paul would be faithful He entrusted him with that service. In his life before his conversion Paul had already shown a high degree of faithfulness and zeal. His deeds were condemnable, but his faithfulness and zeal were exemplary. His conversion has caused that those qualities could be used by the Lord in the service for Him. With what he formerly served to his own honor he now glorifies his Lord. Paul was not put “into service” by people, but by the Lord ( ; ). Human institution is an illegitimate intervention in the rights that the Lord exclusively reserved for Himself. Therefore you should not wait for an official confirmation by people before you start to do something for the Lord. Older and more mature believers can indeed encourage and advise you in your service. It would be a proof of willfulness if you do not care about that. Nevertheless, the Lord remains your commanding Officer. He has employed you and you owe responsibility to Him for what you do and for the way you do it. . When Paul remembers his past he becomes more grateful that the Lord wants to use him in His service. According to human standards he is the most inappropriate person for a ministry as the one of , but according to God’s standards there is no one suitable for that ministry except him (cf. ). He remembers well that he “formerly was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor” (cf. ). Do you remember who you were before your conversion? Or if you haven’t experienced such a radical conversion, have you discovered how much sinfulness is hidden in your heart? If you think about your past or about the malice of the thoughts that you can have, doesn’t the grace of God amaze you from time to time? Doesn’t it impress you deeply that He saved you and now wants to use you? Without pride or loftiness Paul mentions that he was formerly ‘a blasphemer’, which means that he spoke out curses. His deeds were in line with that. He was ‘a persecutor’ of the saints, he chased them and hunted for them. His whole attitude was that of a brutal and criminal man, ‘an insolent man’. He rampaged as a lunatic. From several quotes of Luke or of himself regarding that in Acts you can understand that nothing would give him more pleasure than exterminating all Christians (e.g. ). Then, introduced by the word “yet”, the big contrast appears between what he deserved and what he received. Paul acknowledges the mercy that was shown to him, while he rampaged like a mad man against the Lord Jesus. To him “was shown mercy”. He was not familiar to this word formerly. Without any mercy he persecuted the Christians. At that time he was a minister of the law and the law knows no mercy ( ). Now he had obtained it he wishes others to obtain it also ( ; ; ). God could show mercy to Paul, because he didn’t know what he was doing when he persecuted the church (cf. ; ). He did it “ignorantly”. That doesn’t mean that he was not guilty. He surely was. He had sinned, but in ignorance. He had not willfully resisted God’s will. He had sinned ‘unintentionally’ and not ‘defiantly’ ( ; ). What he did, he did with a good conscience ( ; ). He thought to serve God by that, he thought that he had to do ‘many things’ contrary to the Name of the Lord Jesus ( ; ). His opinion was formed according to the religion of his fathers. Through them he had learnt to know the true God. Therefore the only conclusion could be that the Christian faith and the Old Testament faith in the Lord (Yahweh) were opposites. By killing Christians he thought to defend the honor of God. He showed zeal, but without knowledge ( ; ). His thoughts made him blind for God’s revelation in Christ and it made him the chief of sinners. Isn’t it perplexing that a man who was taught in the Scriptures in such a way and who had received the best education – at the feet of Gamaliel ( ) – has to say that he did something ‘ignorantly’? Here you have a proof that the best theological education is no guarantee to understand the sound doctrine (cf. ). On the contrary, it may lead to a practice that is fully opposite the Word of God. He was acting “in unbelief”. In his former deeds there was no trust in God. It were all performances of the sinful flesh, the own ‘I’. Just like God’s stewardship moves within the realm of faith (‘in faith’, ), just like that the former life of Paul happened in the realm of unbelief. “And whatever is not from faith is sin” ( ). . Deeply impressed by the mercy he obtained Paul then speaks about a “grace” that “was more than abundant” (cf. ). He does that because that grace was given to him as the foremost of all sinners. By showing grace to him, it exceeded beyond each limitation a man could think of. His conversion is the proof that the grace of the Lord is greater than the greatest sin. He is the prime example to prove that the patience of God is bigger than the perseverance of His most embittered enemy. And it is “our Lord” Who gave that grace to him. He doesn’t say ‘my’ Lord, but “our Lord”. In that way he puts Timothy, to whom he addresses himself in this letter, in the same relationship with the Lord that he has and in the same grace that has become his portion. Grace is always opposed to wages ( ). Grace means fully undeserved merit. A right consciousness of grace granted will make us dedicated servants. Together with the grace the Lord gave to him he also gave “faith and love”. That ‘faith’ and that ‘love’ become visible in his life. He lives in full confidence of faith in the Lord and serves Him with all the love from his heart. “In Christ Jesus” his life finds its object and goal. Ever since Christ Jesus has shown Paul His more than abundant grace, He is the whole atmosphere of his life. Everything that expresses his faith and his love happens from the fellowship with Him. Now read 1 Timothy 1:12-14 again. Reflection: Consider what you were formerly and what you have become through the grace of God. In what way is the difference seen in your case?

‏ 1 Timothy 1:12-17

The Past and Now

1Tim 1:12. The section of 1Tim 1:12-17 shows the contrast between what is entrusted to Paul and the law. Paul had already said in 1Tim 1:11 what was entrusted to him and it impresses him again. Therefore he turns to the Source, the Origin of his service and thanks “Christ Jesus our Lord” for the service that He had entrusted to him. He doesn’t thank Him for the redemption here, but for what the Lord wants to do with him on that basis. Do you also do that?

For that service you are – as Paul is – not dependent on your own strength. If you try that you will surely fail in your service. But the Lord gives strength. Paul is aware of that and it is important that you too are aware of it. On the one hand you should not work in your own strength. On the other hand there is one thing that indeed has to be present in you to do your service rightly, and that is “faithfulness”.

Because the Lord knew that Paul would be faithful He entrusted him with that service. In his life before his conversion Paul had already shown a high degree of faithfulness and zeal. His deeds were condemnable, but his faithfulness and zeal were exemplary. His conversion has caused that those qualities could be used by the Lord in the service for Him. With what he formerly served to his own honor he now glorifies his Lord.

Paul was not put “into service” by people, but by the Lord (Acts 20:24; Gal 1:15-16). Human institution is an illegitimate intervention in the rights that the Lord exclusively reserved for Himself.

Therefore you should not wait for an official confirmation by people before you start to do something for the Lord. Older and more mature believers can indeed encourage and advise you in your service. It would be a proof of willfulness if you do not care about that. Nevertheless, the Lord remains your commanding Officer. He has employed you and you owe responsibility to Him for what you do and for the way you do it.

1Tim 1:13. When Paul remembers his past he becomes more grateful that the Lord wants to use him in His service. According to human standards he is the most inappropriate person for a ministry as the one of 1Tim 1:11, but according to God’s standards there is no one suitable for that ministry except him (cf. 1Tim 1:16). He remembers well that he “formerly was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor” (cf. Gal 1:13).

Do you remember who you were before your conversion? Or if you haven’t experienced such a radical conversion, have you discovered how much sinfulness is hidden in your heart? If you think about your past or about the malice of the thoughts that you can have, doesn’t the grace of God amaze you from time to time? Doesn’t it impress you deeply that He saved you and now wants to use you?

Without pride or loftiness Paul mentions that he was formerly ‘a blasphemer’, which means that he spoke out curses. His deeds were in line with that. He was ‘a persecutor’ of the saints, he chased them and hunted for them. His whole attitude was that of a brutal and criminal man, ‘an insolent man’. He rampaged as a lunatic. From several quotes of Luke or of himself regarding that in Acts you can understand that nothing would give him more pleasure than exterminating all Christians (e.g. Acts 7:58 ; Acts 8:3 ; Acts 9:1 ; 13-14 ; 21 ; Acts 22:20 ; Acts 26:9-11).

Then, introduced by the word “yet”, the big contrast appears between what he deserved and what he received. Paul acknowledges the mercy that was shown to him, while he rampaged like a mad man against the Lord Jesus. To him “was shown mercy”. He was not familiar to this word formerly. Without any mercy he persecuted the Christians. At that time he was a minister of the law and the law knows no mercy (Heb 10:28). Now he had obtained it he wishes others to obtain it also (1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2 ; 16 ; 18; Tit 1:4).

God could show mercy to Paul, because he didn’t know what he was doing when he persecuted the church (cf. Lk 23:34; Acts 3:17). He did it “ignorantly”. That doesn’t mean that he was not guilty. He surely was. He had sinned, but in ignorance. He had not willfully resisted God’s will. He had sinned ‘unintentionally’ and not ‘defiantly’ (Lev 22:14; Num 15:22-31). What he did, he did with a good conscience (Acts 23:1; 2Tim 1:3).

He thought to serve God by that, he thought that he had to do ‘many things’ contrary to the Name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 26:9; Jn 16:2). His opinion was formed according to the religion of his fathers. Through them he had learnt to know the true God. Therefore the only conclusion could be that the Christian faith and the Old Testament faith in the Lord (Yahweh) were opposites. By killing Christians he thought to defend the honor of God. He showed zeal, but without knowledge (Rom 10:2; Acts 22:3). His thoughts made him blind for God’s revelation in Christ and it made him the chief of sinners.

Isn’t it perplexing that a man who was taught in the Scriptures in such a way and who had received the best education – at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) – has to say that he did something ‘ignorantly’? Here you have a proof that the best theological education is no guarantee to understand the sound doctrine (cf. 1Cor 2:14). On the contrary, it may lead to a practice that is fully opposite the Word of God.

He was acting “in unbelief”. In his former deeds there was no trust in God. It were all performances of the sinful flesh, the own ‘I’. Just like God’s stewardship moves within the realm of faith (‘in faith’, 1Tim 1:4), just like that the former life of Paul happened in the realm of unbelief. “And whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom 14:23).

1Tim 1:14. Deeply impressed by the mercy he obtained Paul then speaks about a “grace” that “was more than abundant” (cf. Rom 5:20). He does that because that grace was given to him as the foremost of all sinners. By showing grace to him, it exceeded beyond each limitation a man could think of. His conversion is the proof that the grace of the Lord is greater than the greatest sin. He is the prime example to prove that the patience of God is bigger than the perseverance of His most embittered enemy.

And it is “our Lord” Who gave that grace to him. He doesn’t say ‘my’ Lord, but “our Lord”. In that way he puts Timothy, to whom he addresses himself in this letter, in the same relationship with the Lord that he has and in the same grace that has become his portion. Grace is always opposed to wages (Rom 4:4). Grace means fully undeserved merit. A right consciousness of grace granted will make us dedicated servants.

Together with the grace the Lord gave to him he also gave “faith and love”. That ‘faith’ and that ‘love’ become visible in his life. He lives in full confidence of faith in the Lord and serves Him with all the love from his heart. “In Christ Jesus” his life finds its object and goal. Ever since Christ Jesus has shown Paul His more than abundant grace, He is the whole atmosphere of his life. Everything that expresses his faith and his love happens from the fellowship with Him.

Now read 1 Timothy 1:12-14 again.

Reflection: Consider what you were formerly and what you have become through the grace of God. In what way is the difference seen in your case?

Honor and Glory to God

1Tim 1:15. “It is a trustworthy statement.” This beautiful and encouraging expression only appears in the pastoral letters (1Tim 3:1 ; 1Tim 4:9; 2Tim 2:11; Tit 3:8). If every support has fallen away and you seem to stand alone, the statement of the Word of God will never fail you. You can always count on it. Whether it is about the salvation of sinners (here) or about the ministry in the house of God (1Tim 3:1) or about Godliness (1Tim 4:9) or about our future (2Tim 2:11) or about our inheritance (Tit 3:8), the statement of the Word of God always gives security and something to hold on to.

Because the Word of God is that faithful it is therefore “deserving full acceptance”. This addition is also to be found in 1 Timothy 4 (1Tim 4:9). And why is it worthy of all acceptance here? Because “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (cf. Lk 19:10). This truth has not the slightest effect if it is not accepted in faith. There is salvation only for him who believes this undeniable truth (Rom 1:16).

“The world” indicates the atmosphere the Lord Jesus entered as Man. He not only exchanged heaven for a place on earth, but He entered a world where sin and death rule, the territory where sinners live. He came from the wonderful realm of heaven into a realm of darkness, hatred and death to save sinners from that world.

Sinners feel at home in the world as fish in the water. But where the world lies in evil and is ripening for judgment, the love that God our Savior has for mankind in Christ Jesus has appeared in the world to save men from this judgment. Before the Lord Jesus came into the world God used all means to enable man to come into connection with Him. However, man failed hopelessly. Then God gave His Son. This is what exactly fully revealed the desperate situation of man, for then his hatred toward God became apparent. At the same time on the contrary, God’s love was also fully revealed.

Paul is better than anyone aware of that. When he thinks of himself as a sinner he can only say “among whom I am foremost [of all]” (cf. 1Cor 15:9; Eph 3:8). He wanted to be the active enemy of the faith everywhere to eradicate the Name of the Lord Jesus. He even went to foreign cities to do that (Acts 26:11). He stood at the front of the line of those who were filled with hatred toward Christ.

When Paul says that it is without exaggeration, but it is a profoundly conscious experience of his own unworthiness. This consciousness becomes bigger the more he sees the grace of the Lord Jesus. You see his consciousness grow bigger when he tells his conversion history. In his conversion there is mention of “a light from heaven” (Acts 9:3). The first time that he testifies to this he tells that “a very bright light … from heaven” flashed around him (Acts 22:6). The second time he speaks about “a light from heaven, brighter than the sun” (Acts 26:13). Are you more and more impressed daily by what God has done with you in your conversion?

1Tim 1:16. In 1Tim 1:13 Paul mentions the cause of God’s mercy toward him: he acted ignorantly. Here Paul explains what the purpose is of the mercy shown to him: God wanted to make him a pattern of the expression of grace to all. That is embedded in the words “so that”, which indicates the purpose. The mercy he obtained was therefore not for himself alone, but it also has a meaning to others.

When there is salvation for the foremost of all sinners there is salvation for everyone. You can compare it to a sluice gate. If the largest ship can go through the sluice gate every other ship is able to go through it also. In his former life Paul is, as it were, the embodiment of all enemies of Christ. Now that he has turned to God and believes in the Lord Jesus he is also the representative of those “who would believe in Him”.

God has shown him “perfect patience”. ‘Patience’ indicates how God responds to the kicking and bashing of the rebellious man whom Paul was. God tolerated him when he was fiercely bashing the disciples of the Lord Jesus. The conversion of Paul is the proof that in the fight for the salvation of a sinner God has the longest breath. His patience is perfect.

The salvation of Paul as the foremost of the sinners is a pattern for every other salvation. Was God’s patience shown to him? Then God’s patience is there for everyone. Paul was the foremost, the most zealous and most embittered enemy. And he was saved. Then he is the best and most powerful witness that grace is abundant over sin and that the work of Christ is perfectly capable to remove that sin.

The example of what happened to Paul is not meant to indicate that each conversion should be like that. It is meant to show what God can do. Each conversion happens differently because the life course of each person is different. God will not judge a person earlier than when His patience is fully shown to that person and because that person doesn’t respond to that. Concerning Paul, His patience has the desired result, a result that God wishes for every sinner (2Pet 3:9).

Eternal life is the part of everyone who believes (Jn 3:16). That regards to what a person inwardly receives. The Lord Jesus is the eternal life. He who believes, receives Him as his life. But there is also a future aspect. Paul’s view of the eternal life here is something that is in the future (cf. Tit 3:7). When the believer will be with the Lord Jesus in glory he will fully enjoy the eternal life till eternity: the uninterrupted fellowship with the Father and the Son (Jn 17:3).

1Tim 1:17. The gratitude of 1Tim 1:12 swells in a praise in 1Tim 1:17. Paul is overwhelmed by everything that the Lord has done for him as a sinner and what He did to him by putting him into service. Praise arises from him for the grace of God. In Romans 11 the wisdom of God is the cause of a praise (Rom 11:33-35) and in Ephesians 3 he cries out because of the love of God (Eph 3:14-21).

He praises God as “the King eternal”. As ‘King eternal’ God will achieve His aim with all things through the ages. In that way He directs the course of the world history, but also the history of every man. In His great majesty and sovereignty He is exalted above the time and turbulence of the world and people. He has the ages at His disposal. He accomplishes His plan of salvation with creation and with men. Paul has personally experienced that God is ‘the King eternal’.

He honors Him as the “immortal, invisible, … only God”. Immortal means not to be decreased by death and stands opposite all things that are mortal and corruptible, especially the idols (Rom 1:23). The same word is used for the bodies of the saints in the resurrection (1Cor 15:52), for the inheritance of the saints (1Pet 1:4) and for the gentle and quiet spirit of the Godly woman (1Pet 3:4).

God is also “invisible”, which means not to be observed by the eye of man (1Tim 6:16; Rom 1:20; Col 1:15; Heb 11:27). In Christ He has revealed Himself. That means He made Himself visible (Jn 1:18 ; Jn 14:9; Col 1:15). He also is “the only God” (Jn 5:44 ; Jn 17:3; Jude 1:25). All other gods are idols, the work of men’s hands. God is absolutely unique in His Being and worthiness.

He is worthy of all “honor and glory forever and ever”. All His dignities that He has revealed, His glory that became visible, are a reason to sing Him praises forever and ever. We are allowed to start with that now already and continue that endlessly.

With a wholehearted “amen”, which means ‘so be it’, Paul concludes his praise. Of course we heartily agree to that.

Now read 1 Timothy 1:15-17 again.

Reflection: Praise God for Who He is, for what He has done for you and what He has made of you. Use the names of God that you have been made familiar with. Tell Him what these names mean to you.