Fathers

1 Timothy 1

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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 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. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 1:16

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting." See how he further humbles and depreciates himself, by naming a fresh and less creditable reason. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Pay attention to his humility. I was shown mercy, he says, so that none of those who have sinned would despair, but would have full hope of forgiveness, since the greatest of all sinners — Paul — receives salvation. By this the apostle shows that he himself did not deserve forgiveness, but for the sake of the salvation of others was deemed worthy of this lovingkindness of God. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

But for that very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his unlimited patience as an example to those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. But for that very reason I was shown mercy. See what humble thing Paul said. He says, "Since I, the most sinful of all, have been saved, there is no longer need to doubt about salvation." For he wants to show that he was not saved as one worthy of salvation, but in order not to cause others to despair of their salvation. unlimited patience. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

So note how this Saul, later Paul, ironically "congratulates himself" on having attained to the mercy of God, because he was found to be the first, that is the most outstanding, in sins!… This was so that others could all say to themselves, "if Paul was cured, why should I despair? …

Sermons 175.9 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

And he says this to show that whatever God does, he does to show his goodness: the Lord has made all things for himself (Prov 16:4); full of the glory of the Lord is his work (Sir 42:16), and for our benefit; hence he says, for this cause I have obtained mercy: first of all, for his glory. That in me first, i.e., first, in the order of time, or first in the order of rank. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗