1 Timothy 1:15. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.” A FAITHFUL SAYING. “This is a faithful saying…” There is no question as to the Truth of this saying because it comes from God Himself. Faithfulness of the saying is because of the faithfulness of the Source of the saying. The faithfulness of the saying is because of the way it was transmitted to us, through the faithfulness of the servant who passed on the saying. We can rest assured that this saying is true and reliable because it is found in the scriptures of truth.
“And worthy of all acceptation…” This saying is applicable to every person, no matter who they are or where they live. It is to be accepted by children because it is a clear saying and easily understood. It is to be accepted by the young people because it is a challenging saying and gives guidelines for choices to be made. It is to be accepted by parents because it is a commitment to saying and makes me teach my children right. It is to be accepted by middle-aged people because it is a clarifying statement and helps me consider what is important. It is to be accepted by older people because it is a comforting statement and assures me of saving grace as my life comes to a close.
“That Christ Jesus…” The faithful saying begins with the One the message is about – Christ Jesus. He is the One who was sent by God to be the Savior of the world. He is the One the saying is all about. He is the One who came from heaven to earth, to do the will of God. He is the Anointed One with the appointed task to accomplish. He is the Savior who was able to do what we could not do – “save His people from their sins.” He is the Sacrifice that was uniquely qualified to be the Lamb of God – “put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” He is the Substitute that was one of our kind, yet perfectly sinless – “In Him was no sin.”
“Came into the world…” This was no distant saying from the distant heavens that could be misunderstood. This was no saying that came from an angelic messenger that caused fear and trembling. This saying affirms that Christ Jesus was here in the world, among men, easily seen, easily heard, and accessible to all who would seek Him.
“Christ Jesus came into the world:” where lived the lost, the poor, the broken-hearted, the physically and spiritually blind, the captives, and the hopeless. He didn’t stay away, but He “came.”
“To save sinners…” The faithful saying is completely clarified. He came to “save”: to rescue, to buy back, to claim what was lost. “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” “He shall save His people from their sins.” “…that the world through Him might be saved.” “I came…to call sinners to repentance.” He was “a friend of publicans and sinners.” The nine words of the faithful saying are precise and easily understood: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…”
“Of whom I am chief.” The saying was given to us through a man who knew its message well. Paul knew he was in the first rank of those who needed the faithful saying. He was a leader of those who rejected Christ Jesus and His saving work. He was among those first in the file of righteous people who didn’t think they needed to be saved. That was all before the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to him on the road to Damascus. Then he knew; then he recognized the faithful Person of the faithful saying and became His faithful servant and kept the faith without hesitation.
“O Gracious God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: it is with assurance we are able to tell others of this faithful saying It's blessed results. Thank you for making the saving message so simple and plain. Thank you for giving me the privilege of telling others this message. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”