May 24, 2022
A Trustworthy Saying
1 Timothy 1
Matt Atchley
Central Truth
There is no one who doesn't need a savior, no one who can't be saved, and no one whom Jesus didn't come to save.
Key Verse | 1 Timothy 1:15
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.
1 Timothy 1
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Warning Against False Teachers
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship 1 1:4 Or good order from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, 2 1:10 That is, those who take someone captive in order to sell him into slavery liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound 3 1:10 Or healthy doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 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. 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 the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. 4 1:17 Greek to the ages of ages Amen.
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
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Listen NowDive Deeper | 1 Timothy 1
Paul opens with a blunt accusation. These false teachers missed the mark. They were creating confusion in the church rather than the love that God desires. And whenever there is confusion in the church, it's typically because we've misunderstood the gospel. So Paul reminds Timothy of the truth of the gospel by addressing the two most common audiences who hear it: those who think they're righteous and those who think they never could be.
Paul starts with those who think they're righteous by taking them back to the intended audience and purpose of the law. In this chapter, he says the law wasn't made for the just but for sinners. Here's the kicker, though: In another letter, Paul wrote that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). So, if the law was made for sinners, and all have sinned, then we all must be the law's intended audience. But don't be discouraged because we must also remember the law's purpose. Yes, the law teaches us how to live for God, but it was never meant to teach us how to get to God. Its purpose is to reveal our sin and need for a savior!
Then Paul turns his attention to those who think they could never be righteous. He puts his sins and past rebellion on display for all to see, so that all can see the comprehensive grace of Jesus. I don't know what sins are in your past, but I hope you choose to respond like Paul. Trust in the grace of Jesus is enough to cover anything in your past, present, or future, and to display His grace in your life so that others can experience the same freedom!
Now whether you are confronting your need for a savior or struggling to believe that you could be saved, the good news is that you're exactly whom Jesus came for! Paul says that Jesus came to save sinners. Find rest in this truth because this is the gospel: "[T]he power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes"! (Romans 1:16, NIV)
Discussion Questions
1. Which of the two audiences do you relate with the most? Trying to earn your way to heaven, or struggling to believe that your sins could truly be forgiven?
If you struggle with believing you don't earn your way to heaven, spend some time meditating on these verses, and pick one verse to memorize: Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:3-5; Romans 5:8.
If you struggle with believing that God can forgive you, spend some time meditating on these verses, and pick one verse to memorize: 1 Timothy 1:15-16; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:10-14; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21.
2. Do you believe that you need a savior, that you can't out-sin the grace of God, and that Jesus came to save you? If not, what is your next step?
3. If you answered "yes" to the question above, how are you allowing God to use your salvation to display His grace to others (see 1 Timothy 1:16)?
4. When he met Jesus, Saul's life changed forever. How has your life changed since coming to know Jesus? Spend some time worshiping God for His goodness and faithfulness (1 Timothy 1:17).