So let it be!!! (1 Timothy 1:15-17) 170608
15 pisto.j o` lo,goj kai. pa,shj avpodoch/j a;xioj( o[ti Cristo.j VIhsou/j h=lqen eivj to.n ko,smon a`martwlou.j sw/sai( w-n prw/to,j eivmi evgw,Å 16 avlla. dia. tou/to hvleh,qhn( i[na evn evmoi. prw,tw| evndei,xhtai Cristo.j VIhsou/j th.n a[pasan makroqumi,an pro.j u`potu,pwsin tw/n mello,ntwn pisteu,ein evpV auvtw/| eivj zwh.n aivw,nionÅ 17 Tw/| de. basilei/ tw/n aivw,nwn( avfqa,rtw| avora,tw| mo,nw| qew/|( timh. kai. do,xa eivj tou.j aivw/naj tw/n aivw,nwn( avmh,nÅ
The word is faithful, and worthy of every acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of (among) whom I am first (among the sinners). And yet because of this, I have been shown mercy in order that in me firstly, Christ Jesus might demonstrate all the (perfect) patience, for (as) an example of being about to believe in Him for eternal life. And to the king eternal, imperishable, invisible, the only God, worthy and glory for ever and ever, amen.
Most translation will starting phrase of verse 15 as “Here is a trustworthy statement” which most scholars will agree that pisto.j o` lo,goj is an idiomatic phrase. And I am not any greater than the scholars and I agree. The reason I choose a literal translation is that I also believe that Paul is not only throwing out any wise saying of his time and appeal his reader to accept its trustworthiness, but he could have been stating the nature of the word of God, which is faithful as God. Because of this faithfulness of God in this word, therefore we can fully accept it in its fullness. Therefore, whenever we read such phrase: This is a trustworthy statement; do not treat it as another clever saying of our forefathers or some wise men, but remember that it is the word of God and it is faithful to fulfill itself.
Here comes the good news: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (v15b). And Paul gladly admits that he is the first among the sinners. Why? He wants to be saved. In my opinion, Paul may not be the number one in term of sinning. I can think of people like Hitler during the second world war, Emperor Qin who unified China, Sadam Hussien of Iraq, and Osama Bin Laden who ordered to crash two airplanes into the World Trade Centre in New York on the 11th of September 2001. These are only some examples of whom we called the great sinners who cause thousands and even millions of people to suffer. But to some of us, the great sinner is the boss or teacher who gives a mountain load of assignments. But nonetheless, none of us can escape the reality that we maybe not as bad as those big time sinners (or evil doers), we will not dare to admit that we are sinless. Paul admits he is a sinner, and the first one; and I too will admit that I am a sinner. Even though I am a Christian, I may sin less, but never sinless.
As long as we are sinners, we need Christ Jesus as our savior. This is the purpose and reason for Him to come into this world. He came for the sinners. He came for you and me. Paul’s life is an example, and my life is also an example because we experience the fullness of God’s grace and mercy, and the blessing of victorious eternal life.
When I was still in Bible College, one thing I enjoy the most is to listen to the testimonies of all the first year students. I do not only hear how God leads them into Bible College, but I see the power of God’s grace transforming them into who they are today. There are some who were previously drug addicts, there are womanizers, there are Muslim converts, there are those who were literally being raised from the dead, and many others. These are all possible because of God’s everlasting love for His people.
No wonder in the middle of recounting the reason for Christ Jesus to come to the world, Paul breaks into a doxology in verse 17. Salvation is such a beautiful and wonderful thing that Paul has no other ways to express it, but by giving a praise to God for what He has done.
There are five natures of God Paul mentions here: 1) King who rules, 2) Eternal – as in existed from the beginning to the end of time, 3) Imperishable – which means incapable of dying, 4) Invisible – cannot be seen with our physical eyes, and 5) Only God – as opposed to the idea of many gods. These natures of God give us every reason to praise Him and to give Him the highest honor and glory! So let it be (Amen)!
When was the last time you praise God or give honor to God in public? I remember whenever I ask people to share about how God is working in our life during my small group meeting; there will be a long silence. It seems to me that God has not been working at all in the life of my small group members. It seems to me that there is nothing happened in life, or the world has come to a stationary state. God is working for ever and ever, so our only right response is to give thanks and praise Him for ever and ever. Note that I do not translate eivj tou.j aivw/naj tw/n aivw,nwn as forever and ever but for ever and ever. It is because the praising is not only an activity that we have to do forever and ever, but the fact that ever and ever goodness and reality of God is also the reason for praise and honor. This might be a minute point to distinguish, but at least God is ever and ever there for me to praise and honor Him.
So let it be!
HHS…
Abel…
