For Your Edification and Encouragement

The apostle Paul doesn’t leave room for confusion in 1 Timothy 1. He gives one of the clearest affirmations in Scripture that Jesus Christ is God. Let’s look closely at verses 14 through 17:

“And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (v.14)

Paul begins by pointing to the grace of our Lord—a grace that is exceedingly abundant. Whose grace? The Lord Jesus Christ. This isn’t a generic reference to God’s kindness; Paul names Christ as the source of this grace, overflowing with faith and love.

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (v.15)

Here is the gospel in one sentence. Christ Jesus came—His incarnation was purposeful: to save sinners. And Paul calls himself the chief of them all, not to glorify sin, but to glorify the Savior.

“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (v.16)

Paul says that Christ’s longsuffering toward him sets a pattern for all who believe. Jesus Christ saved Paul to be a living example of how deep God’s grace and patience run. All of this mercy, this transformation, this grace—it’s from Jesus Christ.

Then Paul bursts into praise:

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (v.17)

This is often misunderstood as a random shift to talking about God the Father. But the context makes it clear—Paul is still talking about Jesus Christ! The same One who saved him. The One who showed mercy. The One who came into the world to save sinners.

Let’s break it down:

• King eternal – Christ rules eternally (Revelation 11:15). 
• Immortal – Christ, risen from the dead, dies no more (Romans 6:9). 
• Invisible – Though now unseen, He will be revealed in glory (Colossians 1:15, 1 Peter 1:8). 
• God who alone is wise – Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). 

Paul is exalting Jesus Christ as God. The context doesn’t change—if anything, it climaxes in worship of the very One he just described in verses 14–16.

In a world that questions the deity of Christ, Scripture answers loudly:
Jesus Christ is God.

He is the eternal King.
He is the invisible, immortal God.
He is the Savior of sinners.

To Him be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.