Thoughts on 1 Timothy 1:15-17

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 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. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."

Paul makes two points in these verses. First that Jesus left heaven to come to earth and save sinners among whom Paul identifies himself as the “foremost” sinner. He says that Jesus had mercy on him and his point is that if he, a persecutor of Christians, can receive mercy, then nobody is beyond God’s mercy. His second point is that the whole reason he received mercy was so that Jesus might glorify himself in displaying is perfect patience as an example for those who were given to him by the Father. Recognizing God’s glory, Paul then moves directly into praise and worship of our Lord giving him “honor and glory forever”.

Because of God’s grace, Paul sees his condition and correctly recognizes that Jesus has saved him from it. I think that is important for all of us. Usually people fall into one of two categories. Either they don’t see themselves as sinners much less foremost among sinners or they believe the lie that they have done so many bad things that they are beyond the love of God and cannot receive His grace and mercy. We should all recognize the fact that we are indeed sinners unable to save ourselves and desperately in need of a savior. We should also understand that nobody is beyond the love and grace of God. That is Paul’s whole point when he says that God used him as an example because he was such a wretched man. If you believe you are beyond the love and mercy of God you are wrong. You have correctly identified yourself as a sinner but underestimated the power of God’s love for you.

If you believe that you are beyond the love of God please read and meditate on Paul’s words in the book of Romans: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”