1 Timothy 1:12-2:7
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
The Glorious Gospel
In 1 Timothy 1:11, Paul introduces the phrase: “the glorious gospel of the blessed God.” This was entrusted to Paul by Christ and was the focus of his ministry. In this regard, the glorious gospel is unveiled as threads in a tapestry through 1 Timothy 1:12-2:7. Let’s unpack it:
1 Timothy 2:3 How does Paul identify God?
As “God our Savior,” see also 1 Timothy 1:1.
1 Timothy 2:4 What is God’s expressed will for men?
For “all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Note that the Greek root word for men in this verse — ἄνθρωπος (anth’-ro-pos) — means human being in general [1], meaning that it is God our Savior’s desire for all human beings to be saved!
1 Timothy 2:4 What’s the implication of God’s expressed will for men?
Humans lack truth and salvation. Thus, human beings are ignorant of the truth and at risk of eternal damnation! Consider, for example, the apostle Paul himself, who was an ignorant, unbelieving, blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent man (1 Timothy 1:13).
1 Timothy 1:15 What was God’s solution to this problem?
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15a).”
1 Timothy 1:14-16 What key characteristics of God contributed to this solution?
God is longsuffering (1 Timothy 1:16), merciful (1 Timothy 1:14,16), abundantly gracious (1 Timothy 1:14), and loving (1 Timothy 1:14).
1 Timothy 2:5-6 How did Jesus accomplish this solution?
As the “one Mediator between God and men (i.e., human beings), the Man Christ Jesus … gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5b-6a).”
First, Jesus is the Mediator of “a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6),” which is “the new covenant (Hebrews 9:15).” As the Mediator, not just a mediator, Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 14:6); He is the only Person capable of “guaranteeing the performance of all of the terms stipulated in a covenant [2].”
Second, Jesus gave Himself as a ransom. The Greek of this text is significant, in that “Christ is pictured as an ‘exchange-price’ on behalf of and in the place of all (people), on the ground of which freedom may be granted [3].”
How else does Paul describe Jesus in 1 Timothy 1:12-2:7?
• Lord and Christ (1 Timothy 1:12)
• If Jesus “came into this world,” then by implication He is transcendent and existed outside of this world prior to His Incarnation (1 Timothy 1:15a)
• Savior, and by implication, God, for God is our Savior (1 Timothy 1:1, 1:15b, and 2:4)
• Longsuffering (1 Timothy 1:16)
• The eternal, immortal, invisible, King and God (1 Timothy 1:17)!
The implication is that God Himself is both our Mediator and ransom! For more on this topic, see 1 Timothy : Christology.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 What is the scope of Jesus’ ransom?
Jesus gave Himself as the ransom for all. And all means all; every; “each part of a totality [4].” The ransom was universal and complete in scope. The implication is that it is theoretically possible for all human beings to be saved, because Jesus has paid the ransom for all. However, Jesus Himself said that He came “to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).” Is that a contradiction? No, in that while the opportunity for salvation exists for all, it won’t be realized by all, because there is a simple requirement.
1 Timothy 1:16 What is “required” in order for Jesus’ ransom to be efficacious?
People must “believe on Him (Jesus) for everlasting life (1 Timothy 1:16b).” To be saved, you must believe in, i.e., have faith in, Jesus Christ. Some choose Him; some reject Him.
Impact : Transformation
What was the impact of believing the Glorious Gospel on Paul?
Paul was enabled by Jesus; he was faithful, and became a minister (1 Timothy 1:12). He was appointed, as both apostle and preacher, as a teacher of the Gentiles (1 Timothy 2:7). Simply stated, Paul was transformed by Christ!
Impact : Warfare
Paul was deeply concerned with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, such that when he became aware of the spiritual warfare and false teaching underway in Ephesus, he appointed Timothy as his official representative in Ephesus to set things in order (see Authority, Commission, False Teachers, False Teaching, the Law, and the Glorious Gospel).
1 Timothy 1:18 What is implied by Paul’s charge to “wage the good warfare”?
War. There’s an enemy, and we’re at war with him!
Apologetics. Timothy is being charged to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3b).” Hence, Paul’s focus in this epistle is truth, the teaching of truth, and the application of truth (see 1 Timothy : Context & Purpose).
Action (Leadership). As indicated in 1 Timothy 1:19-20, Timothy was expected to take necessary actions to defend the faith (see Impact : Discipline).
1 Timothy 1:19 What are two characteristics of one who wages the good warfare?
(1) Faith and (2) a good conscience. Note the contrast with the false teachers in Ephesus who had strayed from these things (1 Timothy 1:5-6). Faith and a good conscience can also be described as (1) truth and (2) doctrine (i.e., application of truth). That is to say, the one who wages the good warfare and contends for the faith must not only believe and teach the fundamental truths of the Christian faith, he/she must correctly apply said truth to achieve godly, holy living (and thus maintain a good conscience). Incorrect application of truth often leads to corruption of the truth, and corruption of the truth will lead to false application. Both orthodoxy and orthopraxy are needed for credibility. Hypocrisy is not an option!
Impact : Discipline
1 Timothy 1:19 What happens (to our sorrow) to some in church communities?
Some people reject the faith and a good conscience (or parts of it) and thus suffer shipwreck, i.e., their lives become a disaster (from the Christian perspective). The Greek root word for reject in this verse means “a strong, deliberate thrusting away [5].” So, Paul is not writing here about a misunderstanding or confusion of some subtle doctrinal issue, but a deliberate rejection of truth and/or its proper application.
1 Timothy 1:20 What was the chief problem with Hymanaeus and Alexander?
What exactly they did isn’t clear, but they were apparently blasphemers. That is, they apparently spoke lightly or profanely about sacred things, used abusive or scurrilous language about God and/or men, and / or refused to acknowledge good [6].
1 Timothy 1:20 What did Paul do to Hymanaeus and Alexander?
Paul “delivered (them) to Satan,” which likely means that he excommunicated them from the church. They were probably two of the false teachers that had been causing problems in Ephesus (though there were likely more, hence the need for Timothy to continue waging the good warfare).
1 Timothy 1:20 Why did Paul do this to Hymanaeus and Alexander?
Spiritual warfare can have a punitive element, in which punishment for disobedience occurs (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). However, 1 Timothy 1:20 indicates that Paul “delivered (Hymanaeus and Alexander) to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Paul wanted them to learn. Therefore, it seems that this excommunication wasn’t primarily punitive, but disciplinary. That is, discipline comes from the Latin word disciplinare which means “to teach.” Hence, a key purpose of all discipline in the church should be to teach: (a) what is wrong / sinful, (b) why “it” is wrong / sinful, and (c) the need to repent from “it.” Why? Because the ultimate goal of church discipline should be restoration unto fellowship (see Matthew 18:15-17).
Application
Transformation
• To what extent are you being transformed and used by God?
Warfare
• To what extent are you engaged in warfare (teaching & correctly applying truth)?
• Are you growing in faith and in a good conscience?
• Is there anything hindering you from fighting the good fight?
Discipline
• Do you have authority (in the church, at work, at home as a parent, elsewhere)?
• To what extent do you balance punishment & teaching during times of “discipline?”
• Is there someone in your life that you need to spend time teaching this week?
End Notes
[1] http://biblesuite.com/greek/444.htm
[2] http://biblesuite.com/greek/3316.htm
[3] Stott [i], p. 70.
[4] http://biblesuite.com/greek/3956.htm
[5] A.Duane Liftin [iii], p.733.
[6] http://biblesuite.com/greek/987.htm
Bibliography
[i] J.R.W.Stott, “The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus,” Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester, 1996.
[ii] J.MacArthur, “The New Testament Commentary : 1 Timothy,” Moody Press, Chicago, 1995.
[iii] A.Duane Liftin in J.F.Walvoord and R.B.Zuck (Editors), “The Bible Knowledge Commentary,”Chariot Victor Publishing, Colorado Springs, 1983.
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