1 Timóteo 1
Samuel Johnson · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Timóteo 1
Johnson has an interesting interpretation of example (pattern in KJV) - (Pattern) is a very interesting word. It is not the same as the word translated “type.” It rather means an active display, a kind of pattern in which we see something going on, and the reference is to the longsuffering of the Lord Jesus and it is not a reference to the apostle at all, but to the longsuffering of Jesus Christ in connecting with the apostle. (The Unforgotten Shame and the Overflowing Mercy) Johnson's interpretation certainly has merit, but note that others interpret the pattern or example as Paul's salvation (see below, here, and even Spurgeon). Yet for this reason (NIV - But for that very reason) - Paul had just stated he was the foremost of sinners, and here he is explaining why he received this mercy, why he was saved. "The reason is not Paul or anything in Paul; the reason is Jesus, something in Jesus, namely “all his longsuffering,” holding out long under provocation." (Lenski) He further shows that if one as great a sinner as he was had the door of mercy and salvation flung wide open by grace, than that door was opened to all who acknowledge their sin and need for a Savior. Duane Litfin - In fact it was just for this purpose—that is, to demonstrate God’s plan to save sinners—that Paul himself was saved. (See Bible Knowledge Commentary) I don't like the NAS rendering "I found mercy," because the implication of found is that we were searching for something. Paul was not searching for mercy. He obtained or received mercy from God as a gift of His grace. Salvation is all of God from beginning to end! Ours is but to receive it by grace through faith. As S Lewis Johnson says "in all of the salvation texts of the New Testament, the great stress rests upon what has been done for us, not what we do for the Lord." (Sermon) I found mercy (eleeo), so that (hina) in me as the foremost (in me first) Jesus (Iesous) Christ (Christos) might demonstrate (endeíknumi) His perfect (HCSB - extraordinary; NIV - unlimited; NET - utmost) patience (makrothumia - "long suffering") as an example (hupotuposis - outline sketch) for those who would believe (pisteuo) in Him for eternal (aionios) life (zoe) - Paul's receipt of mercy reiterates 1Ti 1:13 (Paul did not forget this divine attribute). In 1Ti 1:15 he had just declared that among sinners, he was the foremost. So that (hina) expresses the purpose of Paul finding mercy. The purpose was to serve as visible proof (see sense of endeíknumi below) of Christ's perfect (Gk = hapas - expresses the totality of) patience, makrothumia signifying patience with people. The idea of makrothumia is that of a long fuse before the emotion of anger "blows up" or is expressed. "It indicates also what patience Christ had exercised during Paul’s persistent resistance while he was “kicking against the ox-goads.” Longsuffering is the quality of self-restraint which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish." (Vine) In the case of Christ this glorious attribute was perfectly developed (for which we all praise God!). Christ's holding back the display of righteous justice and punishment on such a "chief sinner" like Paul is a beautiful example (see SLJ' interpretation above) of what the perfect patience of Christ would do for all other sinners who would believe in Him for eternal life! (See Mt 25:46 for Jesus' description of the only 2 alternatives - both are eternal!) Eternal life is right now for every believer! Therefore it behooves us to "invest" and redeem the time (kairos - "opportunities") NOW (Eph 5:16+), for this temporal investment will yield spiritual dividends beyond your wildest imagination (cf Eph 3:20+) forever in eternity future (cf Jn 15:16). Paul was the proof that God could save eternally ANY sinner who would repent and believe! He was a model of the marvelous grace of God! And such a display of amazing grace is meant to glorify our amazing God. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! THOUGHT - If you are not saved (or know someone), for you think you are too vile, too far gone, etc, for Christ to save you, then you need to ponder the pattern of Christ's perfect patience in Paul's life, one who was the foremost of sinners! No one is too unworthy to be saved. And in fact it is those who realize they are unworthy who Christ saves, not those who have some degree of worthiness or respectability! Phrase eternal life - 41x in 41v - Matt. 19:16; Matt. 19:29; Matt. 25:46; Mk. 10:17; Mk. 10:30; Lk. 10:25; Lk. 18:18; Lk. 18:30; Jn. 3:15; Jn. 3:16; Jn. 3:36; Jn. 4:14; Jn. 5:24; Jn. 5:39; Jn. 6:27; Jn. 6:40; Jn. 6:47; Jn. 6:54; Jn. 6:68; Jn. 10:28; Jn. 12:50; Jn. 17:2; Jn. 17:3; Acts 13:46; Acts 13:48; Rom. 2:7; Rom. 5:21; Rom. 6:22; Rom. 6:23; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16; 1 Tim. 6:12; Tit. 1:2; Tit. 3:7; 1 Jn. 1:2; 1 Jn. 2:25; 1 Jn. 3:15; 1 Jn. 5:11; 1 Jn. 5:13; 1 Jn. 5:20; Jude 1:21 White expresses the idea the "Pauline pattern" writing “Christ’s longsuffering will never undergo a more severe test than it did in my case, so that no sinner need ever despair. Let us glorify God therefore.” (Expositor's Greek Testament) Paul is a sample of the kind of sinners that Jesus came to save -- A T Robertson Donald Guthrie adds that "Mercy shown to what Paul conceives as the worst of sinners must provide a superlative example for subsequent centuries, especially as Paul’s case had shown what he calls Christ’s unlimited patience. That patience has never ceased towards sinners. The Greek word rendered example (hypotypōsis) may be understood either as an outline sketch of an artist, or as a word-illustration expressing an author’s burning purpose (cf. Simpson). In a sublime sense Paul’s experience was to serve as a compelling example to countless numbers who would believe on him (i.e. Christ). (See The Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary) THOUGHT - In light of example, we should be strongly encouraged to NEVER cease praying for the salvation of those in our sphere of influence who seem so (too) far away from God's strong arm. God rhetorically asks "Is My hand so short that it cannot ransom? Or have I no power to deliver?" (Isa 50:2) God in effect answers "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short That it cannot save." (Isa 59:1) My father prayed for me for 25 years before I was saved and I prayed for my youngest son 25 years before he was saved! It is always too soon to quit! ESV has "Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience" which alludes to the primary goal of Paul's (and our) salvation which is God's glory as Paul explains in Ephesians 1:11-12+ Also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ (IN CONTEXT MOST FEEL THIS REFERS SPECIFICALLY TO JEWISH BELIEVERS LIKE PAUL) would be to the praise of His glory. And in Ephesians 3:10 Paul adds that our salvation (in context especially Jew and Gentile now one in Christ) is also for the angelic hosts to look upon in amazement... so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. As Gregory Brown says "When God lavishes grace on people, he does it in such a way that it brings glory to himself. How should we apply the fact that God distributes grace and mercy in salvation to glorify and magnify himself? If we truly understand that our lives and our salvation are meant to display his glory, then it should encourage us to daily live for God’s glory. Paul said, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31+). God’s super-abundant grace saves us for his glory and therefore we should seek to honor and glorify him in all we do. We do this by cultivating both right hearts and actions in how we live. Are you living to glorify God? Is that the motive behind your eating, drinking, working, and playing?" Paul’s salvation not only reflected God’s glory but also became a model for others. (Marks of God’s Abounding Grace 1 Timothy 1:12-17)
1 Timóteo 1
Johnson adds that "the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai God gave into the hand of Moses an instrument by which he would be able to bring men to the conviction of their sin, which would prepare them for the coming of the Redeemer, the Lord Jesus. So the Law was necessary because God deemed it necessary for us to be taught how sinful we really are (ED: THUS THE HORRIBLE SIN LIST IN 1Ti 1:9-10)....So the Mosaic Law was never intended to bring salvation to men. It was intended primarily to bring conviction of sin. (I would recommend reading his excellent discussion of the Law in his sermon Should We Preach the Mosaic Law?)