CHRIST JESUS CAME TO SAVE SINNERS

Passage: 1 Timothy 1:12-20

Key verse: 15

NIV

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,(A) that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.(B) 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor(C) and a violent man, I was shown mercy(D) because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.(E) 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,(F) along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.(G)

15 Here is a trustworthy saying(H) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners(I)—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy(J) so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience(K) as an example for those who would believe(L) in him and receive eternal life.(M) 17 Now to the King(N) eternal, immortal,(O) invisible,(P) the only God,(Q) be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.(R)

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

18 Timothy, my son,(S) I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,(T) so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,(U) 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience,(V) which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.(W) 20 Among them are Hymenaeus(X) and Alexander,(Y) whom I have handed over to Satan(Z) to be taught not to blaspheme.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

12 I thank him (A)who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, (B)appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, (C)persecutor, and insolent opponent. But (D)I received mercy (E)because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and (F)the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the (G)faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is (H)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus (I)came into the world to save sinners, (J)of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To (K)the King of the ages, (L)immortal, (M)invisible, (N)the only God, (O)be honor and glory forever and ever.[a] Amen.

18 This charge (P)I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with (Q)the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may (R)wage the good warfare, 19 (S)holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have (T)made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are (U)Hymenaeus and (V)Alexander, whom I (W)have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to (X)blaspheme.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 1:17 Greek to the ages of ages
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. "I was shown mercy" (12-17) Paul was unworthy to receive God's grace as he was an evil man, acting in ignorance and unbelief. But God chose mercy. God poured out grace, faith and love into Paul's life. Here is a truth we all must confess and believe: Jesus came into the world to save sinners. His mercy has a redemptive purpose, revealing Jesus' immense patience on sinners. This example gives hope for any sinner to believe and be saved. Those who have received this mercy see the glory of the King, and praise the immortal, invisible God. 2. Hold to faith and a good conscience (18-2 ) Paul's command to Timothy was challenging. To help him, Paul reminds him of God's calling on his life, to fight well. To do so, he must hold on to faith and a good conscience, depending on God's mercy and calling by faith. In contrast, two others did not. We should avoid their bad example.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your mercy, that poured out grace, faith and love on me. Help me hold on to faith in Jesus' coming to save sinners.

One Word: Jesus came to save sinners