I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. 13 I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. 14 Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. 16 But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. 17 To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18 I entrust this charge to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophetic words once spoken about you. Through them may you fight a good fight 19 by having faith and a good conscience. Some, by rejecting conscience, have made a shipwreck of their faith, 20 among them Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Paul expresses gratitude to Christ for the strength and trust bestowed upon him. Paul acknowledges that in his arrogance, he persecuted Christians, but Christ was merciful to him because he acted out of ignorance (cf. Num. 15:22-29) and unbelief. God's compassion and the transformative power of grace can turn even the greatest sinners into instruments of His will (cf. Ps. 51:10-12; Eph. 2:4-5). The virtuous gifts of faith and love in Christ Jesus are the result of God’s abundant grace. Divine grace not only overcomes sin but also empowers believers to live out their faith in love through Christ (Gal. 2:20-21).
Paul states the Christian doctrine that Christ came “to save sinners (Jn. 3:16-17).” He identifies himself as the greatest of sinners, recognizing the depth of his past sins. Sin is universal, but salvation, available through Christ, is also universal (cf. Rom. 3:23-24; 1 Jn. 2:2). Christ demonstrated his patience and mercy when Paul was converted from the most fervent persecutor of Christians to an apostle (cf. Acts 9:1-22). Paul finishes his personal reflection by praising the transcendent nature of God, emphasizing His eternal nature, His incorruptibility, and His invisibility.
Paul directly exhorts Timothy, with whom he has a close relationship (“my child”), to adhere to the instructions he is about to give regarding the preservation of sound doctrine and combatting false teachings. In the early Church, prophetic utterances were common during the laying on of hands as a means of affirming God’s call and purpose for an individual and the transmission of authority (cf. 1 Timothy 4:14). Paul reminds Timothy of the divine endorsement of his ministry and encourages him to live up to the calling that has been affirmed by God Himself. Those prophetic words should strengthen Timothy as he fights the righteous spiritual battle which requires courage, perseverance, and reliance on God’s strength. Christian ministry is a vocation that requires both divine commissioning and personal responsibility (Acts 13:2-3).
Timothy must steadfastly maintain the teachings of the Gospel and the doctrines entrusted to him. He must live a morally upright life, and remain free from guilt or accusation. Some have turned away from the moral guidance of their conscience, leading to the destruction of their faith and spiritual well-being. Paul names two individuals who were excluded from the Christian community to bring about their correction, repentance, and eventual restoration to the community.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your boundless mercy and grace, which transforms even the greatest of sinners into instruments of Your will. Strengthen us so that we may hold firm to faith, and live with a good conscience as we strive to fulfill the calling You have placed upon our lives. Help us to imitate Your patience and love, and may our lives reflect Your glory. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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