A note from our Pastor:

“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 1:14

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

In our study verse this week, the Apostle is going to begin connecting the thoughts regarding him being called as a minister of Jesus Christ to the overall message of the salvation of the elect by Jesus Christ. One of the common themes in the writing of the Apostle Paul is to always deliver a message on a path that begins with, ends with, or travels through the eternal salvation of the elect.

First, before we consider the meaning of this particular verse, the wording used is unique. The combination of the words “exceeding abundant” only happens in this verse. Furthermore, the use of the word translated as exceeding in combination with other words is a unique characteristic of the Apostle’s writing. The word translated exceeding occurs approximately 150 times in the New Testament and more than 100 of those instances are in the Apostle’s writing. This trait points to the way the Apostle viewed the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ towards his people.

In our study verse, the item which the Apostle says was exceeding abundant was grace. Notice, the Apostle refers to this grace in the past tense. This was not the grace which was continuing on with him but rather a connection between the grace which brought him into the ministry and the same grace which saved the elect by the death of Jesus Christ. As the Apostle reflects on the grace of God he can only see it as being abundant because it was given to all of the elect, and also exceeding because it not only provided eternal salvation but also the knowledge of Jesus Christ in this life.

But this exceeding abundant grace is still mystical in its nature. The community of believers is not able to look upon it, touch it, or have other sensory evidence of its presence. This fact leads the Apostle to provide the second half of our study verse. The exceeding abundant grace comes with faith and love which is rooted in Jesus Christ, and is the evidence for the believer.

In other words, the Apostle is telling Timothy, his audience in Ephesus, and by the Holy Spirit the community of believers today how to see the grace of God. As disciples, we see the grace of God when we see the faith of others in Jesus Christ. When the community of believers lives in a way which reflects their faith it is a picture of the grace of God. Furthermore, when believers in Jesus Christ show the love of God to others, fulfilling the great commandment to love God and love thy neighbor, it is the grace of God personified.

While we cannot touch or see this exceeding abundant grace, we can testify to it when we witness faith and love in action.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah