1 Timothy 1:16 –
But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
If you want to step in doo-doo, this is a great chapter to try to write about. False teachings, descriptions of the ungodly and discussion on the law fill this chapter. As I read it I quickly become judgmental and have to quickly catch myself and look at Paul’s realization that he was one of those lawless sinners near the top of the heap. How about you, what is your life like? Are you one of the “worst sinners” like Paul? Or are you a “nice person”?
This verse is awesome when you think about it because it reminds me that I am never so worthless I can’t at least be used as a bad example! I find it interesting how God can take some of the most “washed up” people and through His transformation create “warriors” for His cause! When you look at Paul, he was “religious” being a rabbi and “court official”. He persecuted and killed followers of this so-called messiah in the name of God. But how is Paul different from one who just tells a few white lies?
Verses 8 through 11 get into the nuts and bolts of the Law and who it really was for in this world. You think about it, if you are filled with God’s love and Holy Spirit that Law is not something you really need to focus on. Not saying that one should ignore it, you tend to follow the rules without dwelling on them. The Law is for the morally deficient to understand the proper way to live in society. I believe this is why Jesus says “love” is the greatest commandment. Please note this does NOT mean “love” of self or “love” of money is fine with God!!
Now to step in a pile and look at verses 9 and 10 with a laundry list of sins. For whatever reason, people like to focus on the “homosexuality” part of these verses over all other parts. I have reviewed all the English translations (on biblegateway.com) and found it interesting how each translates the Greek. It’s becomes clear as mud if loving the same sex romantically is a sin, or committing sodomy be it same sex or not, or if being promiscuous is the sin. People have argued the “thorn” in Paul’s side was homosexual tendencies. Me I don’t know, I know many people who love the same sex and Jesus the same! Figure I can include that in the creation discussion when I die!