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1 Timothy 1:15-17
-- MacArthur New Testament commentary
The Purpose of Grace
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving
full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this
reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus
Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for
those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
(1:15–16)
The phrase it is
a trustworthy statement is unique
to the Pastoral Epistles, appearing five times (cf..
3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11; Titus 3:8). These statements were
familiar, recognized summaries of key doctrines. That they were
common in the church by the time of the writing of the Pastoral
Epistles indicates that a wellarticulated theology had
developed. Paul indeed quotes them as if they were common
knowledge. This one and the one in 1 Timothy 4:9 have the phrase
deserving full acceptance
appended for added emphasis.
The trustworthy statement in 1:15 acts as a
condensed articulation of the gospel. In only eight Greek words
is found a marvelous summation of the gospel message. Each word
is chosen carefully. Christ Jesus
is the word order preferred by
Paul in the Pastoral Epistles. He uses it twenty-five times
compared to six uses of “Jesus Christ.” Bound up in those two
words is all that He is. Christ
is the anointed King who came to
redeem, and became the earthly
Jesus at the Incarnation. That He
came into the world
implies not only His incarnation but His
preexistence. Note carefully that it does not say that He came
into existence, or that He was created. He existed somewhere
else before coming into the world. This phraseology is used
frequently by John, who often speaks of Christ’s coming into the
world (cf.. John 1:9; 3:19; 6:14; 11:27; 12:46; 16:28; 18:37).
The world
refers to the world of humanity, blind,
lost, and condemned to hell because of its hostility to God
(cf.. 1 John 5:19). It is into that world of sinners, of
darkness and unbelief, that Jesus came. John 3:17 says, “God did
not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the
world should be saved through Him” (cf.. John 12:46–47).
Christ’s purpose in coming into this fallen
world was to save sinners.
Before his birth the angel told Joseph “it is He who will save
His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). In Luke 19:10 our Lord
stated the purpose of His coming into the world: “For the Son of
Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” To
save is to
deliver from death and darkness, from sin, hell, and judgment.
Sinners
was a term used by the Jews to describe
Gentiles (cf.. Gal. 2:15), but our Lord used it to refer to all
of fallen mankind (cf.. Matt. 9:13). It denotes man’s constant
violation of God’s law; men are sinners by nature.
In the realm of
sinners, Paul saw himself as
foremost of all
(cf.. 1 Cor. 15:9; Eph. 3:8). Many in our day
would hasten to correct Paul’s self-image and restore his
self-esteem. But that was a healthy self view for Paul because
it was accurate. It’s hard to imagine anyone worse than a
blasphemer of God and persecutor of His church. Such a view of
himself also served to keep Paul humble and grateful.
It was for this
reason that
Paul found
mercy. God didn’t save him merely to get him out of hell or into
heaven. Nor did He save him to preach the gospel or write the
epistles; God could have had others do that. The purpose of
salvation, whether Paul’s or ours, is to display God’s grace,
power, and patience and produce a true worshiper of God (John
4:21–24). It is for His glory primarily, our benefit is
secondary.
It was through saving Paul that
Jesus Christ
could most clearly demonstrate His
perfect patience.
Makrothumia (patience)
means to be patient with people. Paul’s point is that if the
Lord was patient with the worst of sinners, no one is beyond the
reach of His grace. As an example
for those who would believe in Him for eternal life,
Paul was living proof that God can save any sinner. He was the
hupotupōsis,
the model, type, or pattern. Those who fear
that God cannot save them would do well to consider the case of
Paul.
The Response to Grace
Now to the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.
Amen. (1:17)
Having begun the passage with thanksgiving,
Paul now closes it with a doxology.
Eternal
literally means “of the ages.” It refers to the two ages in
Jewish thought, the present age, and the age to come. God had no
beginning and will have no end. He exists outside of time,
though He acts in it. He is
immortal, imperishable, and
incorruptible. He will never know death, decay, or loss of
strength. Because God is invisible,
He can be known only by His
selfrevelation. That He is the only
God is a fundamental truth of
Scripture (cf.. Deut. 4:35, 39; 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 44:6; 45:5–6,
21–22; 46:9; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6; 1 Tim. 2:5). He alone is worthy of
all honor and glory forever and
ever. The doxology closes with the
emphatic Amen,
meaning “let it be said.”
In contrast to the false gospel of the
errorists, Paul emphasizes the true gospel and his participation
in it by God’s grace. That grace is available to the worst
sinner who comes to the Lord Jesus Christ in humble faith and
repentance.
MacArthur, J. F. 1995.
First Timothy. MacArthur New Testament commentary .
Moody: Chicago
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