1 Timothy 1:12

Paul's example is. tremendous illustration of the power of the glorious gospel (1 Timothy 1:11). The Law of Moses did not produce the great apostle nor his conversion but the gospel of Jesus Christ did! “His thanksgiving for the privilege of ministering the Gospel reminded him of the utter difference of his former life, and he gave all credit to the mercy and grace of God who had provided the Gospel” (Kent p. 89).

1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord”: (2 Timothy 1:3; Hebrews 12:28). “The mention of the gospel (1 Timothy 1:11), and of the fact that it was committed to him, brings. flood of grateful memories to Paul, and leads him to express his gratitude” (Reese p. 25). “The words ‘I thank' literally are ‘gratitude. am having'. It is not. passing expression of thanks but the revelation of. constant attitude of gratitude, as the present tense shows” (Hiebert p. 39).

1 Timothy 1:12 “Who has strengthened me”: The term “strengthened” means, “to make strong, endow with strength” (Thayer p. 214). In this verse this “strengthening” may refer to God giving Him the Holy Spirit for the purpose of inspiration and working miracles. See Acts 9:22. Please note that this strengthening is not some sort of mysterious power that strengthened Paul against his will and neither was it any sort of power than enabled him to believe. “He is referring to that new motivation and spiritual dynamic which was imparted to him by the divine forgiveness” (Hiebert p. 39).

1 Timothy 1:12 “Because He considered me faithful”: That is, trustworthy, dependable. “Even when Paul was. persecutor of the church, Christ had seen in him the capabilities of what he later became. Jesus putting Paul into the ministry was an act expressive of great confidence in him” (Reese p. 26).

1 Timothy 1:12 “Putting me into service”: That is, putting him into the service of being an apostle, teacher, and preacher. We should remember that the “service” in which Jesus placed Paul was. very difficult area of service (Acts 9:16; 2 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 11:22), yet he was very grateful for being allowed to serve Christ even when it involved tremendous suffering. See Acts 20:24.