Read & explore together
God’s Grace to Paul
Paul explains how Christ Jesus showed him mercy and grace, then uses his own example to strengthen Timothy for faithful service. The passage moves from thanksgiving and praise to a serious charge about faith, conscience and blasphemy.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of the letter, Paul speaks personally about Christ Jesus appointing him to service despite his former blasphemy and persecution. He then states a trustworthy saying about Jesus saving sinners, praises God, and passes a charge to Timothy about faithful living and the danger of rejecting a good conscience.
1 Timothy 1:12–20Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Christ Jesus shows mercy to sinners, deserves honour, and calls his servants to hold faith and a good conscience.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul thanks Christ for grace in servicePaul begins with thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who enabled him and appointed him to service.
Explanation
Paul begins with thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who enabled him and appointed him to service. He says this happened even though he had been a blasphemer, persecutor and insolent person. Paul does not excuse his past. Instead, he says he obtained mercy because he acted ignorantly in unbelief.
02Grace overflowed in Christ JesusPaul says the Lord’s grace abounded exceedingly, and he links that grace with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Explanation
Paul says the Lord’s grace abounded exceedingly, and he links that grace with faith and love in Christ Jesus. He then gives a saying worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Paul speaks personally and humbly when he says that he is the chief of sinners.
03Paul’s mercy becomes an example and praisePaul explains why he obtained mercy. In him, Jesus Christ displayed all patience as an example for those who would later believe in him for eternal life.
Explanation
Paul explains why he obtained mercy. In him, Jesus Christ displayed all patience as an example for those who would later believe in him for eternal life. That leads Paul straight into praise, giving honour and glory forever to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise.
04Timothy’s charge includes warning and disciplinePaul commits this instruction to Timothy in line with prophecies given earlier, so Timothy may wage the good warfare.
Explanation
Paul commits this instruction to Timothy in line with prophecies given earlier, so Timothy may wage the good warfare. He must hold faith and a good conscience, because some rejected these and made shipwreck concerning the faith. Paul names Hymenaeus and Alexander, and says he delivered them to Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme. The verse states a severe act of discipline with a teaching purpose, without explaining its method.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Paul say Christ Jesus did for him, and why is that surprising?
Look at the contrast between being enabled and appointed to service, and Paul’s earlier life as a blasphemer, persecutor and insolent man.
02According to Paul’s trustworthy saying, why did Christ Jesus come into the world?
Answer from the exact wording of the saying, then notice how Paul includes himself in that truth.
03How does Paul describe Timothy’s task, and what warning example does he add at the end?
Trace the order carefully: prophecies, waging the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience, shipwreck concerning the faith, and the named case in verse 20.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Timothy 1:12–20
12I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service,
13although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16However, 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.
17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18I 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,
19holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith,
20of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme.