Now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. 1 Timothy 1:17
In the passage 1 Timothy 1:12-20, Paul begins the section by praising Jesus Christ for the grace that had been poured out upon his own life, even though he had been persecuting the early church. Paul then continued with a very precise statement in verse 15, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”. We are all born sinners and are in need of a Savior. At the point of conviction, it is important to recognize that it is God’s working power that is saving us. We cannot save ourselves and what this passage is referring to is, once God saves us, all the Glory must point back to Him. Paul knew firsthand that salvation was only because of God’s mercy and patience in Christ Jesus. This truth led him to the praise in verse 17. Paul could not help this outburst of praise. When he remembered his own conversion and pardon, and being entrusted with the ministry of the gospel, he lifted up his voice in grateful thanksgiving to God. So also may be the case with us as we remember what great things the Lord had done for us!