12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 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. 16 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. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 18 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, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Commentary
Vs. 12-17 The Apostle Paul now in humble gratitude gives thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ who enabled him to be in ministry, because He, as the Apostle says, counted him faithful. Therefore in contrast to the false teachers who “desire to be teachers of the law” (vs. 7-8); as if teaching the law (to try to appear an authority of it) merit’s God’s approval. The Apostle Paul (the former Pharisee) now recounts how he came into Christ’s service. First, the Lord Jesus Christ enabled him, because Christ counted Paul faithful. He put Paul into ministry. The Apostle Paul did not appoint himself, as the false teachers frequently appoint themselves to ministry, Christ did (2 Cor.10:18). Just as the Lord Jesus appoints everyone who believes in Him into His service by the Spirit gifts we are given (1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:11-12). Now in saying that it must also be remembered that the Apostle Paul did not come into Christ's salvation because of his Jewish pedigree, or his extensive training, or even his blameless conduct towards the law (Phil. 3:4-9). For nobody enters the Kingdom of Heaven who denies that they themselves are in deep and desperate need of Jesus Christ to save them from their sins (Luke 18:9-14; Eph. 2:1-9). Thus Paul begins with an honest and humble confession about his own conversion: “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief…” vs. 13
T he Apostle Paul than does not
paint a pretty "saintly" picture
of himself when he was alienated from Christ. In unbelief Paul was not only a blasphemer and insolent man, he was a
violent man, even though he was a Pharisee living according to the strictest
sect of his father's traditions. This paradox, though startling to some, is
more often than not the norm for sinful humanity when they strive for holiness, apart from Holy
Spirit regeneration (Rom. 4:15). And thus you can see this phenomenon in every
religion where the fruits of the Holy Spirit are absent (Gal. 5:22-23). And so it
was while obeying his priestly elders, that Paul in unbelief persecuted and
bound many Christians to imprisonment and chains in what he thought was
defending the law of God! Thus in his misguided zeal for God, the Apostle Paul
committed some terrible atrocities against those whom God had redeemed through
it! Therefore just like every sinner; who before God opens their eyes and they
come to see themselves as they really are apart from Him. Paul though outwardly
very religious, was also once dead in his own trespasses and sins. Therefore having
now been saved by the grace of God the Apostle Paul doesn’t proclaim his own righteousness as somehow qualifying him for salvation; he
proclaims the mercies of God given to him by faith in Jesus Christ, who first loved him and saved
him from his sins, while he was still dead in them (Rom. 5:8). As he says: “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with
faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” vs. 14
Now the grace of God is likewise exceedingly abundant towards everyone who believes and calls upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to save them from their sins (Rom. 10:9-10, 13). Not just the Apostle Paul, but anyone, anywhere, anytime, can regardless of what they have done, have God’s exceedingly great mercies if they're heart is open to receive Jesus Christ who likewise loves them (Rev. 3:20). Therefore having received the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ the Apostle Paul now says that these characteristics of Christ are now what define him. From blasphemer, persecutor and insolent man, to a man now noted for his faith and love. An incredible transformation not attributable to Paul. But rather to the life of Christ within him. In fact if the Christian life could be broken down into two things it would be just that, faith and love. For without faith one cannot please God (Heb. 11:6) and without love one cannot be said to know God (1 John 4:7-8; 5:1).
Now to strengthen his point about God’s grace coming to everyone who acknowledges they're own sinfulness, and in faith turns to the Lord Jesus Christ trusting His crusifixion death as all sufficient to save them, the Apostle Paul now declares: “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. vs. 15
As a Pharisee Paul could claim his own obedience to the law and smugly look down on others who were not as zealous for God as he was. Not that he was justified in doing so, just that the culture of Phariseeism made such men. But now as a Christian, who came into Christ's Salvation and Life by the grace of God, Paul lost all such pretenses (Php. 3:4-9). For there is no other grounds other than Jesus Christ crucified for our redemption from sin and death that we find God’s mercies. Therefore we all must come to Him honestly and humbly about our own sinfulness with a heart felt desire to repent of it. As the Lord Jesus Christ says: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Matt. 9:13 Which is why He sought out sinners, not to pronounce judgment on us for having sinned (John 3:17), but to call us all to repentance so that He might heal us from our sins. Therefore Jesus came to be and to bring God's salvation to us all who believe in Him, whether we were “good” or bad. Jesus came to save us sinners from our sins and give us new and everlasting life with Himself the moment we believe in Him (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 1:13-14). Now this God does by Holy Spirit regeneration; that is by the Spirit of God, Jesus Christ permanently indwells everyone who believes in Him. And thus God in all His fullness dwells in all of us who believe in Jesus Christ the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17, 19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16-18; Col. 2:8-10). And so the life of Christ and fruits of the Holy Spirit are ours to live out and enjoy the Christian life by.
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Rom. 11:34-36
And
thus God’s election both of individuals and nations is not based on anything
that is inherently good in us, or anything done by us (Rom. 9:11).
For nobody comes into salvation because of either their outstanding conduct, or
their good deeds; but only
by the grace of God, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory the of
God.” Rom. 3:23
Therefore
the Apostle Paul is saying that through the mercy first shown him, Jesus Christ both demonstrates
and has established a just pattern by which He will save anyone who believes in Him. “Now to the King eternal,
immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory
forever and ever. Amen.” vs. 17
Vs. 18-20 Having then exalted our King Jesus and His Righteousness the Apostle Paul now invokes his Apostolic authority as Christ’s commissioned servant. So that by them Timothy may be encouraged in knowing his own calling, and the authority Paul is charging him according to the prophecies made about Timothy, to wage the good warfare; that all believers are likewise charged to fight in faith and love with a good conscience (1 Peter 3:16). Yet some having rejected have only suffered shipwreck in their own faith lives (vs. 18-19). In this the Apostle Paul mentions two men by name; Hymenaeus and Alexander both whom he delivered to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme (vs. 20). For in having admitted to having sinned in such a fashion; yet ignorantly in unbelief; the Apostle Paul makes no room now for such things to carry on amongst those who believe. Therefore a distinction should always be made between those falling into sin and needing restoration (Gal. 6:1-2) and those who seek to justify it (1 Cor. 5:1-13), which is what these men were doing. For having rejected faith and a good conscience (2 Tim. 2:17-18; 2 Tim. 4:14) they were teaching others to blasphemy ruling authorities. Something that is utterly contrary to the gospel and thus having a sound faith and life since the Lord Jesus commands us all directly as well as through His Apostles to honor and obey all in authority; since all authority has their origins in God (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Only in regards to their misconduct or hypocrisy we are not to follow (Matt. 23:1-12). Thus we honor the office; if not the person holding it.
Now the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to “wage
the good warfare” is the kind of language one military commander would use to
encourage another before they set off on a prolonged campaign. In other words,
we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must not consider ourselves in a
one-time only battle with personal sin (Heb. 12:4) or a personal Satan (1 Peter
5:8-11), when we come to faith in Christ. For though the war is won at Calvary,
and the Lord Jesus Christ assures us of the ongoing victory (Matt. 16:18); there are
many different battles, on many different fronts, that must be fought in every
generation by us all who believe and seek to obey the truth.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
Commentary
Vs. 12-17 The Apostle Paul now in humble gratitude gives thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ who enabled him to be in ministry, because He, as the Apostle says, counted him faithful. Therefore in contrast to the false teachers who “desire to be teachers of the law” (vs. 7-8); as if teaching the law (to try to appear an authority of it) merit’s God’s approval. The Apostle Paul (the former Pharisee) now recounts how he came into Christ’s service. First, the Lord Jesus Christ enabled him, because Christ counted Paul faithful. He put Paul into ministry. The Apostle Paul did not appoint himself, as the false teachers frequently appoint themselves to ministry, Christ did (2 Cor.10:18). Just as the Lord Jesus appoints everyone who believes in Him into His service by the Spirit gifts we are given (1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:11-12). Now in saying that it must also be remembered that the Apostle Paul did not come into Christ's salvation because of his Jewish pedigree, or his extensive training, or even his blameless conduct towards the law (Phil. 3:4-9). For nobody enters the Kingdom of Heaven who denies that they themselves are in deep and desperate need of Jesus Christ to save them from their sins (Luke 18:9-14; Eph. 2:1-9). Thus Paul begins with an honest and humble confession about his own conversion: “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief…” vs. 13
Now the grace of God is likewise exceedingly abundant towards everyone who believes and calls upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to save them from their sins (Rom. 10:9-10, 13). Not just the Apostle Paul, but anyone, anywhere, anytime, can regardless of what they have done, have God’s exceedingly great mercies if they're heart is open to receive Jesus Christ who likewise loves them (Rev. 3:20). Therefore having received the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ the Apostle Paul now says that these characteristics of Christ are now what define him. From blasphemer, persecutor and insolent man, to a man now noted for his faith and love. An incredible transformation not attributable to Paul. But rather to the life of Christ within him. In fact if the Christian life could be broken down into two things it would be just that, faith and love. For without faith one cannot please God (Heb. 11:6) and without love one cannot be said to know God (1 John 4:7-8; 5:1).
Now to strengthen his point about God’s grace coming to everyone who acknowledges they're own sinfulness, and in faith turns to the Lord Jesus Christ trusting His crusifixion death as all sufficient to save them, the Apostle Paul now declares: “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. vs. 15
As a Pharisee Paul could claim his own obedience to the law and smugly look down on others who were not as zealous for God as he was. Not that he was justified in doing so, just that the culture of Phariseeism made such men. But now as a Christian, who came into Christ's Salvation and Life by the grace of God, Paul lost all such pretenses (Php. 3:4-9). For there is no other grounds other than Jesus Christ crucified for our redemption from sin and death that we find God’s mercies. Therefore we all must come to Him honestly and humbly about our own sinfulness with a heart felt desire to repent of it. As the Lord Jesus Christ says: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Matt. 9:13 Which is why He sought out sinners, not to pronounce judgment on us for having sinned (John 3:17), but to call us all to repentance so that He might heal us from our sins. Therefore Jesus came to be and to bring God's salvation to us all who believe in Him, whether we were “good” or bad. Jesus came to save us sinners from our sins and give us new and everlasting life with Himself the moment we believe in Him (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 1:13-14). Now this God does by Holy Spirit regeneration; that is by the Spirit of God, Jesus Christ permanently indwells everyone who believes in Him. And thus God in all His fullness dwells in all of us who believe in Jesus Christ the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17, 19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16-18; Col. 2:8-10). And so the life of Christ and fruits of the Holy Spirit are ours to live out and enjoy the Christian life by.
The
Apostle Paul then having declared Jesus Christ’s purpose in coming into the
world; to save and transform sinners persons and lives, (not the "righteous,"
or the "religious" or anyone else who thinks themselves, apart from Christ, to be alright in the sight of God) but sinners, of
whom he declares himself chief. And thus Paul identifies himself not only as
the worst of sinners, but by so doing, he is fully identifying with Christ,
who first identified Himself with Paul and with all sinners everywhere by willingly bearing all our sins on the cross. Thus Paul continues his exhortaion on the grace of God:
“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.” vs. 16
The Apostle Paul then having
realized and declared the depth of his own sinfulness
now declares the depth and height of Jesus Christ’s love for him and us all who
have likewise failed God. Yet it was for that very reason Paul obtained mercy.
That in him first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to
those who are going to believe on Him for eternal life. That is Jesus Christ choose to spare Paul who previously was zealously persecuting the church, and trying to destroy the church, so that through His saving and transforming Paul, His longsuffering towards all of sinful humanity might be made known to all. Now that pattern of
saving individuals or nations who do not "deserve" to be saved is, and will
always be, God’s right and manner of redemption needing no qualification from anyone as the Scripture says (Rom. 11:5-6). 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Rom. 11:34-36
Vs. 18-20 Having then exalted our King Jesus and His Righteousness the Apostle Paul now invokes his Apostolic authority as Christ’s commissioned servant. So that by them Timothy may be encouraged in knowing his own calling, and the authority Paul is charging him according to the prophecies made about Timothy, to wage the good warfare; that all believers are likewise charged to fight in faith and love with a good conscience (1 Peter 3:16). Yet some having rejected have only suffered shipwreck in their own faith lives (vs. 18-19). In this the Apostle Paul mentions two men by name; Hymenaeus and Alexander both whom he delivered to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme (vs. 20). For in having admitted to having sinned in such a fashion; yet ignorantly in unbelief; the Apostle Paul makes no room now for such things to carry on amongst those who believe. Therefore a distinction should always be made between those falling into sin and needing restoration (Gal. 6:1-2) and those who seek to justify it (1 Cor. 5:1-13), which is what these men were doing. For having rejected faith and a good conscience (2 Tim. 2:17-18; 2 Tim. 4:14) they were teaching others to blasphemy ruling authorities. Something that is utterly contrary to the gospel and thus having a sound faith and life since the Lord Jesus commands us all directly as well as through His Apostles to honor and obey all in authority; since all authority has their origins in God (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Only in regards to their misconduct or hypocrisy we are not to follow (Matt. 23:1-12). Thus we honor the office; if not the person holding it.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
No comments:
Post a Comment