1 Timothy 1:16, 17 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering… There was an economical purpose in the salvation of the Apostle Paul. I. THE EXERCISE OF THE LORD'S LONG-SUFFERING TOWARD THE APOSTLE. "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy." 1. The mercy takes the form of long-suffering; for the Lord bore long with the ways of this fierce persecutor of the saints, when he might have cut his career short in judgment. 2. It took the form of positive deliverance from guilt and sin and death. How often "the long-suffering of the Lord is to usward salvation" (2 Peter 3:9)! II. THE DESIGN OF THIS REMARKABLE EXHIBITION OF MERCY. "That in me as the chief Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." 1. The long-suffering is exercised by the Lord himself. It is he who is wounded in the persecutions of his members. "Saul, Saul! why persecutest thou me?" Yet it is he who shows mercy. 2. The greatest persecutors may not despair of mercy. The Lord will tarry long with them if peradventure they may repent and turn to him. 3. The case of Paul - "the chief of sinners - ought to encourage sinners of every class and sort to exercise hope and trust in the Lord, as well as to meet the misgivings of those who think they have sinned too much to warrant the expectation that the Lord will have mercy upon them. 4. Trust in Jesus Christ necessarily brings with it eternal life. There is nothing needed but faith for this purpose. He that hath the Son hath life." III. ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE AND THANKFULNESS TO GOD FOR HIS MERCY. 1. Consider the titles by which God is addressed. "Now to the King of the ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God." (1) He is King of the ages, as his kingdom is called the kingdom of all the ages (Psalm 145:13); because as God, knowing the end from the beginning, he fixes the periods or stages of the development through which this world is destined to pass, shaping all events according to his pleasure, and making all things work together for good to them that love him. (2) Incorruptible; because "he only hath immortality" (1 Timothy 6:16). (3) Invisible; for no man hath seen him at any time, as he dwells in light inaccessible. (4) The only God; in opposition to the false gods of the heathen, or to the multitudes of angels and principalities and powers. 2. Consider the doxology. "Unto him be honor and glory for ever and ever." (1) They already belong to him alone. (2) They will belong to him to all eternity. (3) The thought of the overruling wisdom and. mercy and goodness of God in his case leads to this devout acknowledgment. - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. |
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