Christ didn’t need Paul. He could have raised up a rock to proclaim his gospel to the Gentiles if he wanted. Christ chose Paul out of his grace and mercy. But why? So that Paul would serve as the example of the trustworthy saying in v. 15, that Christ Jesus came to save sinners.

Read: 1 Timothy 1:12-20

Devotional: There are many comforting verses in the Bible. That makes sense because God is the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3). But sometimes I come across a verse and I am consistently astounded by how comforting it is. 1 Timothy 1:15 is one such verse. Even though I must have read this verse a thousand times, studied it, heard lessons and sermons on it and referenced it in lessons I’ve taught, it still blows me away every time I come back to it.

After urging Timothy to defend his flock from those who have wandered away from the sound doctrine that is in accord with the gospel (1 Tim 1:3-11), Paul puts himself forward as an example of why this gospel must be defended. Paul begins by stating that Christ judged him faithful and appointed him to his service (1 Tim 1:12). That Christ appointed Paul to service is a bit of an understatement: the service to which Paul was appointed was as one of Christ’s apostles, the very men chosen to lay the foundation of his church along with the prophets (Eph 2:20).

With this calling came some impressive authority and gifting from Christ. We might say, “Well, Paul was faithful. He said so himself.” But Paul continues, “Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” (1 Tim 1:13). This statement is not as much of an understatement. Before Christ met Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1ff), Paul persecuted Christians, and even approved of their executions (Acts 26:10-11).

In fact, the only reason he was going to Damascus was to imprison more Christians to bring them back for trial in Jerusalem. In effect, he was going to Damascus for the sole reason to persecute more Christians, or, at the very least, cause them to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. There was no greater threat and opponent to Christ and his church in that day than Paul.

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