The term "faithful sayings" refers to a series of trustworthy and reliable statements found within the pastoral epistles of the New Testament. These sayings are concise, doctrinal affirmations that encapsulate key elements of Christian faith and practice. The Apostle Paul, in his letters to Timothy and Titus, uses the phrase to underscore the importance and reliability of these teachings.

1. 1 Timothy 1:15: "This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst." This saying emphasizes the core of the Gospel message: the incarnation and redemptive mission of Jesus Christ. It highlights the grace of God in salvation, acknowledging human sinfulness and the transformative power of Christ's work.

2. 1 Timothy 3:1: "This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task." Here, Paul affirms the honorable nature of church leadership. The role of an overseer, or bishop, is presented as a noble pursuit, underscoring the importance of godly leadership within the church. This saying serves as an encouragement for those called to pastoral ministry, emphasizing the dignity and responsibility of the office.

3. 1 Timothy 4:8-9: "For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance." This passage contrasts the temporary benefits of physical exercise with the eternal value of godliness. The faithful saying here stresses the comprehensive benefits of living a godly life, both in the present and in eternity.

4. 2 Timothy 2:11-13: "This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." This saying encapsulates the hope and warning inherent in the Christian life. It speaks to the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection, the call to perseverance, and the assurance of Christ's faithfulness even when human faith falters.

5. Titus 3:4-8: "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This is a trustworthy saying." This passage highlights the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, apart from works. It underscores the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration and renewal, affirming the centrality of God's mercy in the salvation process.

The faithful sayings serve as doctrinal anchors within the pastoral epistles, providing clear and concise statements of Christian truth. They are intended to be memorized, meditated upon, and taught within the church, ensuring that the foundational truths of the faith are preserved and propagated. These sayings reflect the apostolic emphasis on sound doctrine, godly living, and the centrality of Christ's redemptive work.Faithful Sayings

FAITHFUL SAYINGS

sa'-inz (pistos ho logos): "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation" (the King James Version). These words form a striking formula which is found-with slight variations-only in the Pastoral Epistles, in 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Timothy 4:9 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8. A similar expression occurs in Revelation 21:5 and Revelation 22:6 (the King James Version), "These sayings are faithful and true."

The Five "Sayings."

Paul's faithful sayings are thus five in number, and "were no doubt rehearsed constantly in the assemblies, till they became well-known watchwords in the various churches scattered over the Mediterranean-washed provinces of the Roman empire" (Ellicott, New Testament Commentary on 1 Timothy 1:15).

1. The First "Saying":

The first of the faithful sayings speaks of the pre-existence of Christ, of His coming into the world, and the purpose why He came is distinctly stated-to save the lost, irrespective of race or nationality, sinners who, apart from Christ, are without God and without hope.

2. The Second "Saying":

The second of the faithful sayings refers to the work of being a minister of the gospel, a work then so full of danger and always full of difficulty. The office in question is honorable and Christlike, and, in those early days, it meant stern and ceaseless work, grave and constant danger. This faithful saying would act as a call to young men to offer themselves for the work of proclaiming the gospel to the world, and of witnessing for Christ.

3. The Third "Saying":

The third saying is that godliness has an influence that is world-wide; it consists, not merely in holiness and in that fellowship and communion with God which is the very life of the soul; it is also an active force which springs from "the love of Christ constraining us," and manifests itself in love toward all our fellow-men, for they are God's creatures. Godliness transfigures every rank and condition of life. It has the promise of the life that now is: to those who seek the kingdom of God first, all other things will be added. And it has the promise of the life that is to come, the rich prospect of eternal blessedness with Christ. Compare with this saying the remarkable words in Titus 1:2, "in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal." Godliness gives all gladness here, and future glory too. This is a faithful saying.

4. The Fourth "Saying":

The fourth of the faithful sayings speaks of the Christian believer's union with Christ, and of the blessedness of that union. The Christian is "dead with Christ," he "suffers with Christ." But the union with Christ is eternal, "We shall also live with him;. we shall also reign with him" in life that is fadeless, endless and full of glory. Surely then, no one will draw back, for "if we deny him," "if we believe not," "he also will deny us," for "he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself."

5. The Fifth "Saying":

The fifth and last of the faithful sayings speaks of our former unconverted state, "for we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures. But. the kindness and love of God. toward man appeared, not by works which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us." Blessedness is now the Christian's lot, and this is the result not of our works: we owe it all to the tender love of God, to His Divine pity, to His redeeming grace. Yes, this is a faithful saying.

John Rutherfurd

New Testament Hymns
... free rendering of certain passages in Isaiah.[11] The "faithful sayings" from the
Epistles to Timothy and to Titus have also been viewed in this light.[12] The ...
/.../christian hymns of the first three centuries/iii new testament hymns.htm

The Dying King's Last vision and Psalm
... claims a divine source for the oracle following, and declares, at the outset, that
these last words of David were really the faithful sayings of Jehovah. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the dying kings last vision.htm

These Things which You have Said are Read by all who Know Latin ...
... all who know Latin, and you yourself request them to read them: such sayings, I
mean ... Then you speak thus to us: "O multitude of the faithful, place no faith in ...
/.../43 these things which you.htm

The Conclusion
... Thrice it is repeated in this Book that these sayings are "faithful and true":
xix.9; xxi.5; xxii.6. In the Introduction and Conclusion it is (three times ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/the conclusion.htm

No Minister Ought to Keep a Faithful Person from the Communion ...
... 60.) The Curates are bound to exhort the Faithful often, that ... Twill be prudence
therefore not to oppose the Sayings of Doctors, Saints, Popes and Councils, to ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap i no minister ought.htm

The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a ...
... CHAPTER V. THE FIRST SAYINGS OF JESUS"HIS IDEAS OF A DIVINE FATHER AND OF A ... Never
had Pagan priest said to the faithful, "If thou bring thy offering to the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter v the first sayings.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... And we may easily remark, that in explaining and confirming these faithful and true
sayings, he takes care to refute not only the mistakes of the Scribes and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 21 upon our lords.htm

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... as soul-saving, as containing the chief good, and "worthy of all acceptation," as
well as your mind receive these as true and faithful sayings, 1 Timothy 1:15. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

The Word of the Truth of the Gospel
... These sayings are faithful and true; and though perhaps we may but little have owned
them as such, or given heed to the blessed news which they embody, yet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter vii the word of.htm

Fragment i. From the Exposition of the Oracles of the Lord.
... or entrusted to faith, that is, to those who were possessed of faith, the faithful. ...
at the time of his writing, were telling him some of the sayings of the Lord ...
/.../papias/fragments of papias/fragment i from the exposition.htm

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