1 Timothy 1:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Here the apostle, I. Returns thanks to Jesus Christ for putting him into the ministry. Observe, 1. It is Christ's work to put men into the ministry, Acts 26:16, 17. God condemned the false prophets among the Jews in these words, I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied, Jer. 23:21. Ministers, properly speaking, cannot make themselves ministers; for it is Christ's work, as king and head, prophet and teacher, of his church. 2. Those whom he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 1:12-17

1:12-17 I give thanks to Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has filled me with his power, that he showed that he believed that he could trust me, by appointing me to his service, although I was formerly an insulter, a persecutor and a man of insolent and brutal violence. But I received mercy from him, because it was in ignorance that I acted thus, in the days when I did not believe. But the grace of our Lord rose higher than my sin, and I found it in the faith and love of those whose lives are lived... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 1:12-17

There are two further interesting things in this passage. Paul's Jewish background comes out. He says that Jesus Christ had mercy on him because he committed his sins against Christ and his Church in the days of his ignorance. We often think that the Jewish viewpoint was that sacrifice atoned for sin; a man sinned, his sin broke his relationship with God, then sacrifice was made and God's anger was appeased and the relationship restored. It may well have been that that was in fact the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 1:12-17

The thing which stands out in this passage is Paul's insistence upon remembering his own sin. He heaps up a very climax of words to show what he did to Christ and the Church. He was an insulter of the Church; he had flung hot and angry words at the Christians, accusing them of crimes against God. He was a persecutor; he had taken every means open to him under the Jewish law to annihilate the Christian Church. Then comes a terrible word; he had been a man of insolent and brutal violence. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:16

Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy ,.... Though so great a sinner, and even the chief of sinners: that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering ; not that the apostle was the first that was converted upon Christ's coming to save sinners; for there were many converted before him, and very great sinners too, and he speaks of himself as one born out of due time; unless it can be thought that he was the first of the persecutors of the church, upon the death of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 1:16

Verse 16 16That in me the first Jesus Christ might shew When he calls himself the first, he alludes to what he had said a little before, that he was the first (26) among sinners and, therefore, this word means “chiefly,” or, “above all.” The Apostle’s meaning is, that, from the very beginning, God held out such a pattern as might be visible from a conspicuous and lofty platform, that no one might doubt that he would obtain pardon, provided that he approached to Christ by faith. And, indeed, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:1-20

St. Paul was about to commit extensive powers in the Church to Timothy. It was therefore necessary that lie should define clearly the source of his own authority. This he does very distinctly. He was an apostle according to the commandment of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence his power to delegate authority to his son Timothy, and hence the duty of the Church to submit to Timothy's ruling. Among the powers committed to Timothy was that of ordaining bishops and deacons by the laying on of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:16

As chief for first, A.V.; might Jesus Christ for Jesus Christ might, A.V.; his long-suffering for long-suffering, A.V.; an ensample of for a pattern to, A.V.; unto eternal life for to life everlasting, A.V. That in me as chief ; rather, as A.V., first; i.e. both in order of time, and in respect also of the greatness of the sin forgiven. Show forth ( ἐνδείξηται ; see 2 Timothy 4:14 , note). All his long-suffering ; more properly, as Alford, the whole long-suffering; i.e. the entirety... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 1:16

Howbeit for this cause - That is, this was one of the causes, or this was a leading reason. We are not to suppose that this was the only one. God had other ends to answer by his conversion than this, but this was one of the designs why he was pardoned - that there might be for all ages a permanent proof that sins of the deepest dye might be forgiven. It was well to have one such example at the outset, that a doubt might never arise about the possibility of forgiving great transgressors. The... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 1:15-16

1 Timothy 1:15-16. This is a faithful saying A saying not only certainly true, but infinitely momentous, as the same expression evidently signifies 1Ti 4:9 ; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8; and worthy of all acceptation As infallibly true, it is worthy of all credit, and as infinitely important, worthy of being considered, received, and embraced, with all the powers of our souls; that Christ The Messiah promised; Jesus The Saviour exhibited; came into the world to save sinners All... read more

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