I Timothy 1, God's Work on the "Chief Sinner"

Paul's letter to Timothy is the first of three pastoral letters preserved in the New Testament.  The term "pastoral" (first used in the eighteenth century for I & II Timothy and Titus) identifies these letters as written to young men active in Christian ministry.  The letters are personal but also lay out some of Paul's principles of ministry.

1 Timothy 1: 1-2, To Timothy, grace, mercy and peace!

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is a standard ancient greeting, with Paul's added emphasis on the role of Jesus in the universe and in his relationship with Timothy.

1 Timothy 1: 3-5, Pure doctrine in Ephesus
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Timothy stayed in Asia Minor (now Turkey) while Paul crossed the Aegean Sea to northern Greece. Paul is concerned here, as in many of his letters, with the popular philosophies that the people attached to the Christian message.

1 Timothy 1: 6-11, Sound doctrine vs. meaningless talk

Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

There will always be some who use religious conversation to promote themselves and puff themselves up, acting as "experts."  This was apparently true in the first century; surely it is common now.

1 Timothy 1: 12-14, The blasphemer forgiven

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.

Paul expresses gratitude for his own conversion and renewed life.

1 Timothy 1: 15-17, The blasphemer forgiven

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.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul ends this passage with exuberant praise, first to God for saving himself, a "blaphemer", and second for God's eternal acts, including forgiveness offered to all.

This passage sounds like a goodbye, but Paul will continue writing for five more chapters.

1 Timothy 1: 18-20, 

Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Paul gives specific advice to Timothy, reminding him of his divine calling.  Paul also gives warning about two very specific individuals who have a "shipwrecked faith".

In the next chapter, Paul begins to give precise pastoral advice.