God’s Grace to Paul
Paul thanks Christ Jesus for strengthening him and appointing him to service, though he had formerly been a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man. He says mercy met him in ignorance and unbelief, and that the Lord's grace overflowed with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
I12 thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. 13I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. 14And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Paul repeats the trustworthy saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and he names himself as the foremost example. He says mercy was shown to him so that Christ's perfect patience might be displayed, and that thought carries him into praise of the eternal, immortal, invisible King.
15This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. 16But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul entrusts Timothy with this charge in keeping with earlier prophecies about him so that he may fight the good fight with faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected that path and made shipwreck of faith, and Paul names Hymenaeus and Alexander as grave examples.
18Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.