1 Timothy 1:16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering… The narration of personal experience may be very helpful to those who are wanting instruction or sympathy. Men are better able to grasp truth in the concrete than in the abstract. To see a sinner saved from sin is more helpful than to read of salvation. No one recognized this more clearly, or acted on it more wisely, than Paul; and some of the most instructive parts of his Epistles are those in which he recounts his own religious experience. We may similarly help others, especially our own children, and those who are within the sacred circle of friendship; but the narration of experience may be as harmful as beneficial, if it becomes frequent or formal. There is danger of egotism, till our own personality covers the whole horizon of our thought. There is risk of affected singularity, as if we wished to be distinguished from others and considered superior to them. Referring to himself he says — I. THAT SALVATION CAME TO ONE MOST UNDESERVING. "Chief of sinners though I am," he exclaims, "I obtained mercy," "that in me," in the very depths of my nature, in my whole future destiny, Jesus Christ might "show forth all long-suffering." II. THAT HIS CONVERSION WAS A PATTERN FOR ALL THE FUTURE. III. THAT SUCH CONVERSION SHOULD EXPRESS ITSELF IN PRAISE TO GOD is evident from the noble doxology which follows — "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, incorruptible, invisible, the only (wise) God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." Paul was always ready for a song of praise, and could sing as heartily in prison at Philippi as at the prayer-meeting beside its river. It is not often that God is spoken of as "King," and the expression rendered by our translators "the King eternal," but more correctly in the margin of the Revised Version "King of the Ages," is quite peculiar to this verse. What a helpful assurance this is that our God, our Saviour, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is the supreme Lord of all the successive ages which stretch from the forgotten past into the infinite future; that He controls all stages of development in the natural realm, in the creation and dissolution of worlds, and in the kingdom of grace! (A. Rowland, LL. B.) 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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