1 Timothy 1 Study Notes

1:12 Having just mentioned being entrusted with the gospel (v. 11), Paul gave thanks because Christ was willing to appoint him to service in spite of his past sins. Paul marveled that God considered him worthy of his trust, even though he had previously been unbelieving and untrusting (v. 13).

1:13-14 Paul’s ignorance was not the reason he had been shown mercy, as if ignorance excused sin or warranted mercy. The point is that his salvation was undeserved. He probably made this point to contrast with the false teachers. When Paul opposed Christ and persecuted the church in the past, he had not yet professed faith. These false teachers professed to follow Christ but still acted to undermine his influence. They were coming dangerously close to being cut off from God’s mercy (Mt 12:31-32; Mk 3:28-29; Lk 12:10; 1Jn 5:16).

1:15-16 The designation of certain sayings as trustworthy is a particular distinctive of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Paul used this designation for emphasis. The apostle’s earlier statements may sound as if his salvation was due to his own faithfulness or his ignorance, but these two verses make it clear that Paul marveled at his conversion since he knew himself to be so bad. He was an example of what true instruction was supposed to accomplish. He had been the sort of person for whom the law was intended (1Tm 1:9-10). The result of the gospel in his life was not idle speculation but transformation.

1:17 Jonathan Edwards testified that this was the verse that brought him to Christ. Paul was amazed that such a God would stoop to save one such as him. Whether Paul’s praise here is of the Father or the Son is unclear, but it could be either. Doxologies also occur in the Pastoral Epistles in 6:16 and 2Tm 4:18.

1:18 The point here is that God had spoken through others to set Timothy apart for the task of ministry. The purpose of this assurance of divine call was to strengthen Timothy for the work (see note at 4:14).

1:19 The phrase shipwrecked their faith is strong language. It refers to someone who once professed faith but has now destroyed it, showing they were never truly converted.

1:20 Hymenaeus is mentioned in 2Tm 2:17-18 as teaching false doctrine about the resurrection. Delivered to Satan is a typical way of referring to excommunication, or being put out of the church (1Co 5:5). This language highlights the importance and protection of church membership since being put out of the fellowship makes a person more vulnerable to Satan.