Lesson Four of the Letters to Timothy

“A Trustworthy Saying”

The Apostle Paul, in this first letter to Timothy, speaks with an urgency as he teaches and encourages his student. First, he greets and blesses him with all that Christ affords. Next, he warns him about the dangers of false teachers and the poison they inject into the church. He then tells his story in humility as reflects on the grace Jesus had on him, giving him a mission and purpose in life, which is to share the Good News to both Jew and Gentile alike.

In all his years of devotion to God, Paul never thought he would associate with a non-Jew. He kept himself “pure” according to the Law. Of course he felt he was on the right track when Jesus Himself interrupted his life to make an about-face and do something so contrary to everything He knew. As you read the next passage for our study today, you should be able to tell how grateful Paul is for Jesus’ divine interruption. To have your life turned upside-down and taken on a completely different path than you ever thought takes a huge element of trust. You have to trust the One who leads you. In this case for Paul, and for us, we have to trust Jesus.

Read 1 Timothy 1:15-17. What trustworthy saying does Paul tell Timothy is worth full acceptance?

What kind of sinner does Paul consider himself? How many times does he say this?

What reason does Paul say he was shown mercy?

What words does Paul use to give glory to King Jesus?

Let’s look at the word “trustworthy.” The Greek word Paul uses here is, “pistos” which means, “to win over, persuade. Worthy of belief, trust, or confidence. True and just.”

 Paul, who was a staunch Pharisee, bent on persecuting and murdering Jewish Christians, was convinced by Truth Himself, to change the course of his life and follow Jesus. He immediately placed his confidence in the Christ he tried to stop. Jesus had to be trustworthy at the onset to convince Paul to change his ways. 

You may be thinking, “well if Jesus were to appear to me like he did Paul, I could trust Him.” True enough, but I believe when Christ makes Himself known to a person, His presence through the Holy Spirit is powerful and fully convincing and thus trustworthy. A decision on the part of the person encountering Jesus in their life is the reason a life turns. Paul had to make a decision to follow Christ. You and I have to make the decision to follow Christ. It takes believing Jesus is totally trustworthy.

Paul also considered himself to be what he really was, the worst of sinners. When Christ appeared to Paul, the Holy Spirit shown the light on the truth of his sins. We too are sinners. When Jesus makes Himself known to a person, sin is exposed. We can either accept we are sinners or reject this truth. Paul accepted he was indeed a sinner against the Holy One. It was a big blow to him because he had dedicated himself to being a righteous Pharisee.

Read John 3:16-21. Which verse are you familiar with in this passage? Write it out?

What was God’s reason for sending Jesus to the world?

What happens to the person who believes (trusts) in Jesus?

What happens to the person who doesn’t believe Jesus?

Who is the “Light that comes into the world”? Why do evil people (those who refuse Jesus) hate the “Light”? What do they fear?

What happens to the people who “live by the Light”?  Why?

It’s all a matter of trust. When we trust in Jesus our sin is exposed and dealt with. We are then cleansed by the saving blood of Him who died for those sins. When folks don’t trust it is mainly because they don’t won’t to know that what they have been doing is wrong. They don’t want their sin to be exposed for what it is; an affront to God. Because they won’t allow Christ’ light to expose their lives, they hate Him.  They want Him to go away or they refuse to even believe He exists and fight Him to the bitter end.

I fear many churches are trying to make following Christ more palatable. They don’t want to offend people so people will come into their church and fill up the chairs. Entertainment is the main focus, cushioning the reality of Christ dealing with sin. The truth is, Christ light exposes sin for what it is and its not easy to face. It’s offensive to be confronted with our sin. It hurts to know we are not living right. Without the Truth, we will continue on in our destructive and offensive ways before God and the way to Him is blocked.

Jesus is offensive to sin. He exposes it for what it is, thus exposing us. We should feel shame for our behavior and want to turn from it and turn to Him. The beauty of Jesus is that He gives us a way out of ourselves and into a relationship with Him, connecting us to our Creator God.

Who do you trust? Explain.

Jesus is trustworthy. He is worthy of our praise and trust. Are you willing to allow Him to expose the truth of your life? Are you willing, like Paul to stop what you are doing and place all your trust in Jesus? Will you change direction and begin doing whatever Jesus has for you to do? Let us follow Jesus for He alone is trustworthy, loving us beyond all reason and making the way, the only way, to a eternal relationship with God.