1 Timothy 1:15
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
This is an important article. Please read it carefully. This verse teaches us why Jesus Christ came, and for whom he came.
First, notice
The Statute in 1 Timothy 1:8–10
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Few expressions in the Bible are simultaneously more significant and more misunderstood than “law.”
Which “law” is Paul talking about here?
Paul is speaking here of the law of God as it relates to morality. He is speaking of the Moral Law or the Ten Commandments. He elaborates upon the topic of the Moral Law by describing who this law applies to.
Paul first lays down generic categories, relating to the first five commandments of the Ten Commandments. He is speaking of the Law that is meant for:
The Lawless and Disobedient Ones - Here is a man who throws off the legal restraint of God and does contrary to what God has said so that he might fulfill his own desire.
Ungodly and Sinners - These ones are accounted as ungodly and sinners - These terms Define a man or woman who lives without regard to God and has no thought or care for what God desires.
Unholy and Profane - These would be considered unholy and profane - Here is one that has no moral purity, and makes no distinction between what is holy and what is unholy. To him, there is no difference. He doesn't care a whit for personal holiness and purity.
Paul next gives Specific examples - He is speaking of the law that is meant for :
1. Murderers of fathers and mothers - A violation of the Fifth commandment
2. Manslayers - Murderers - A violation of the Sixth Commandment.
3. Whoremongers - Sexually immoral people
4. Them that defile themselves with mankind - Three and four are a violation of the spirit of the seventh commandment.
5. Menstealers - Kidnappers/slave traders - A violation of the Eighth Commandment
6. Liars and perjured persons - A violation of the Ninth Commandment
7. Any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine
He then places the Gospel here as an ultimate test of what is sound, what is morally healthy, and what is good and right (I Timothy 1:11). If what you are doing is not consistent with the moral standard of the Gospel, it is wrong and is to be rejected.
This Moral Law is not a rule or guide for the Christian life. Does that sound strange? The Law was never designed as a means to achieve an elevated level of righteousness. If one is using the law for a mechanism of salvation, standing, or to achieve moral superiority, then he is not using the law lawfully (I Timothy 1:8, 9a). The Law is a conviction-producing control mechanism for regulating the behavior of the natural man.
Now, look at the verse again.
1 Timothy 1:15
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
The saying is faithful - This means that it is certain and trustworthy
The saying is worthy of all acceptance - This is a valuable statement that deserves an enthusiastic reception by everyone.
Christ Jesus came into the world - Oh Glorious event! He was before the world. He created the world. He entered into the world that he had made!
Why?
To Save Sinners - Who? The ones he was just mentioning…Whoremongers, Homosexuals, Liars, Kidnappers, Slave traders, Murderers, Unholy, Profane, Lawless, disobedient, and ungodly ones.
And Paul said, "Of whom I am Chief” - Paul said, I am the foremost sinner, a prominent sinner. If sinners were numbers, I am number one. If sinners were letters, I am the letter “A.
1 Timothy 1:13 describes him. He was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious.
But he obtained mercy (I Timothy 1:13, 16) - He received leniency and compassion - Paul should have received death and Hell! So should I!
Are you a sinner?
Jesus came for you!
Look to Him today in simple faith!
Like Paul, the chief of sinners, believe on Christ for the salvation of your soul!
Consider this beautiful poem
How many times have I bowed before God
To ask His forgiveness for some wrong that I have done?
And how many times have I heard my Lord say
Child, as long as I have mercy, you're forgiven today?
Though I'm undeserving, my sins are gone, without a trace
And someday up in Heaven, I will look on Jesus' face
All through eternal ages, my song shall ever be Oh Hallelujah, Oh Thank You Jesus for Your mercy to me!
I was a sinner just a struggling along, til God's great hand of mercy reached down from Heaven's Throne, and there on that old altar where I bowed so depressed and God gave me mercy when my sins I confessed.
Mercy, mercy, God's love and mercy Has saved both you, you and me Oh, if we had gotten justice we would surely be lost But we found mercy when we knelt at the cross.
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