1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Giving thanks & praise

To catch up on our adventure through 1 Timothy, click here and read from the bottom post up.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NIV):

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Paul gives thanks to God for all He's done (vv.12-16). Then he praises God for who He is (v. 17).

When he thanks Christ Jesus our Lord, he mentions 10 things God has done for him (and for us). God:

1. gave him strength (v. 12)
2. considered him faithful (v. 12)
3. appointed him to His service (v. 12)
4. showed him mercy (vv. 13, 16)
5. abundantly poured out grace on him (v. 14)
6. abundantly poured out faith on him (v. 14)
7. abundantly poured out love on him (v. 14)
8. saved him (v. 15)
9. displays his unlimited patience in him (v. 16)
10. gave him eternal life (v. 16)

Paul also makes seven statements about himself--five about his past and then two about his present:

1. He was once a blasphemer (v. 13).
2. He was once a persecutor (v. 13).
3. He was once a violent man (v. 13).
4. He had acted in ignorance (v. 13).
5. He had acted in unbelief (v. 13).
6. He considers himself the worst of sinners (vv. 15-16).
7. He considers himself an example of God's unlimited patience (v. 16).

He closes out this section by praising God for who He is in verse 17. He gives Him honor and glory and lists five names/attributes of God. God is:

1. the King
2. Eternal
3. Immortal
4. Invisible
5. the only God

Next time we'll look at this passage a little more in depth...