Christ came to save sinners.I am the biggest
Read 1st Timothy 1:6-7
- Paul says, “certain people”. These were people within the congregation or people coming into it trying to disrupt and change the gospel that was laid out for them. It is “vain discussions”, meaning that it holds no truth and these “certain people” speaking to the congregation, speak only for themselves and not for Christ. Remember in the previous verse Paul said, the aim of our charge is love that comes from a pure heart and a good conscience.
- Vs. 7 – They desire to be teachers of the law without understanding what that means to their salvation. The law is a judge that kills. It was designed by God to show how evil we are and can never live up to the Law. These “Judaizers” come in to the congregation proclaiming with confidence that what they teach is truth, not understanding they are teaching what is false.
Read 1st Timothy 1:8-11
- Here is the 4th directive for Timothy from Paul (See the other 3 in the previous study).
- 4 – Teach the good news of Christ. The Law is good if you use it lawfully, meaning take what God gave to Moses (The Law of Moses) and apply it. Paul speaks of this in Romans 7:7-12 and see my Galatians study in chapter 3:19.
- Understanding the Law was not laid down for the Just (Believers in Christ), but for the lawless and disobedient, ungodly, profane…Those that do not believe, so that God can show through the Law their transgressions.
- Notice Paul says at the end of verse 10 contrary to sound doctrine. The second directive to Timothy from Paul (see pervious lesson)
- Vs. 11 – In accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God. He is referring to Vs. 5.
- Understanding the Law was not laid down for the Just (Believers in Christ), but for the lawless and disobedient, ungodly, profane…Those that do not believe, so that God can show through the Law their transgressions.
- 4 – Teach the good news of Christ. The Law is good if you use it lawfully, meaning take what God gave to Moses (The Law of Moses) and apply it. Paul speaks of this in Romans 7:7-12 and see my Galatians study in chapter 3:19.
Read 1st Timothy 1:12-14
- “Paul’s emphasis shifts to reflect upon himself. Paul didn’t treat the gospel with professional detachment, like an exciting new theory or a grand scientific discovery. Nothing benefited so powerfully and so deeply from the wonders of God’s grace, he could hardly remain idle”. Paul explained the amazing reason he had been entrusted with the good news. Christ strengthened me, considered me faithful and put me into service. Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary) pg.46.
- Vs. 13 -14 – In verse 12 Paul says Christ judged him faithful and appointed him to His service (Acts 9:22) even though Paul says, I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. Paul was a Pharisee of Pharisees. Until his conversion he would have never understood or called himself a blasphemer of YAHWEH, but that is exactly what he was because of he was going against the God of Israel and fight Christ the Son.
- Persecutor – Paul was a persecutor of God, of His will. Killing and arresting believers in Christ. He thought he was doing the will of God but had no idea he was opposing God and His will. How many times have we done that?
- Insolent opponent – Defying God’s will and fighting God without even realizing what he was doing. Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin. A proud Israelite that opposed God unknowingly.
- God being abundant in love and forgiveness sees Paul as ignorant and doing what he thought was right and stops him in his tracks and turns him to the truth.
- The greatness of Paul comes from God not from his own accord as he was in “insolent opposition” before the grace of our LORD overflowed with faith and love because of Christ.
Read 1st Timothy 1:15-17
- “What caused God to interrupt Saul of Tarus on the road to Damascus and take command of his life to demonstrate His grace? According to Paul, the Son of God entered the world to save sinners, and the apostle just happened to be the best example of a sinner needing salvation. He said, in effect, If the LORD came to earth looking for sinners, I was too big a sinner to ignore.” Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary) pg.49.
- Vs. 16 – But Paul receives mercy for one reason. “That in me, as the foremost (biggest sinner), Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life”. Paul is the example of a terrible man, saved by grace, given mercy to fulfill God’s plan. If Paul can be saved anyone can.
- Vs.17 – Paul here breaks out in song. Drawing heavily on Hebrew scripture.
- Eternal King – Exodus 15:18; Psalms 145:13
- Immortal – Psalm 90:2; 102:26-27
- Invisible – Job 23:8-9
- Only God – Deuteronomy 4:35; Isaiah 44:6
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