Fathers

1 Timothy 1

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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope; to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine, and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith— but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith, from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned away to vain talking, desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a person uses it lawfully, as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine, according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 1:12

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"I thank the Lord, who hath enabled me." Observe how he thanks God even for that which was his own part. For he acknowledges it as a favor from Him that he was "a chosen vessel." For this, O blessed Paul, was thy own part. "For God is no respecter of persons." But I thank Him that he "thought me worthy of this ministry." For this is a proof that He esteemed me faithful. The steward in a house is not only thankful to his master that he is trusted, but considers it as a sign that he holds him more faithful than others: so it is here.

Homily on 1 Timothy 3 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since he said: "which was committed to my trust" (1 Tim. 1:11), then, lest it seem that he is boasting, he refers everything to God, and says: one must thank Him Who gave me the strength to be able to take upon myself such a burden. Indeed, it was not proper to human strength — to stand against daily dangers threatening death. Such is true humility: but our humility is in words, and not in the depths of the soul. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

And I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to minister. Since Paul said, "which was committed to me," (1 Tim. 1:11) so that he might not seem to boast, he attributes everything to God, and he says, "I have grace because He has given me this power," for the Gospel to be entirely believed. who has strengthened me." For Paul says, I have been given a great burden, and I am in need of much strength from God. because He considered me faithful. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, I gave him thanks, he proves by his own experience what he had been during the time of the law, and what he had acquired in the time of grace: first, he shows what had happened to him during both times; second, he urges Timothy to imitate him, at this precept, I commend to you. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he shows what has been given to him under the law, and what was given to him under the Gospel; second, he assigns the reason, at a faithful saying. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗