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.

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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.

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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. A sinner is shown mercy (12-17)

Paul thanked God for his abundant grace. The book of Acts describes Paul as an enemy of the early church and the gospel. Jesus met and showed his mercy to Paul. That mercy transformed Paul from the worst of sinners to an apostle. The mercy of Jesus reveals the power of God. Paul became the display case of the lifegiving power of the gospel. He gave all praise to King Jesus whose mercy is honor, glory, and eternal life to the worst of sinners.

2. That you might fight the battle well (18-2

)

Holding on to faith is not an easy task. Paul had given Timothy the gospel, recognizing God's call in his life. Timothy was a young man, but Paul had given him stewardship of a place where the gospel had been rejected by prominent men. Paul encouraged him to fight the battle of holding on to this faith in the midst of men who chose a different path. The life of faith is a daily struggle to depend only on the gospel of the forgiveness of sins. It is the way God's servant reveals his glorious mercy in a world that rejects God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your lifegiving mercy. Help me to hold on to faith and reveal your glory.

One Word: Fight the battle well