The "Faithful Sayings" of Paul

I know that the readers of this website love to study the Word of God. The bible is full of colorful imagery and Paul was a master at conveying timeless biblical truths through the strategic usage of words. With that in mind, I'd like to look at what are commonly referred to as the "faithful" (or trustworthy) sayings of Paul in what are commonly known as the "pastoral epistles" (I & II Timothy and Titus). Let's look at each of them one by one:

I Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief

This first faithful saying reflects the purpose of the incarnation. Jesus Christ came in the world to save sinners. Jesus made it very clear in His teachings that he did not come to call the righteous, but "sinners to repentance" (Matt 9:13). John makes it clear that Christ is the Lamb of God that "taketh away the sins of the whole world." Any system of theology that maintains that Christ only died for a select few individuals is dishonest (at best). Jesus also declared that His mission was to "seek and to save" that which is lost (Luke 19:10) . When you realize and embrace this great truth, you will also have a zeal for evangelism. We wonder why men like Paul had such a desire to see men converted....it's because he understood (as did the other apostles) that Jesus came to this earth to save sinners! We must be careful in this not to extrapolate a meaning from Paul's words here that are not intended. Some have interpreted the phrase "of whom I am chief" (referring to sinners) to mean that Paul was a slave to unholy and unrighteous behavior even after his conversion. As always, we should let scripture interpret scripture-and in numerous places Paul completely dismisses such a notion as heresy. He is clearly referring to his pre-conversion activity-not his current lifestyle (Ref: Romans 6:2, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:13, etc. etc.).

I Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work

Now this deviates somewhat in the KJV rendering, but this "true saying" (translated as "trustworthy" in the NASB) is the same greek word (Strongs #4103 "Pistos") used in the other "faithful" sayings. On a personal note, I am honored that God called me to be a pastor and a shepherd of His flock. The office of a bishop (or overseer) is a noble calling and I have the utmost respect for all who serve as overseers in the Lord's church. In a day when those in the ministry are often ridiculed and misrepresented, it is good to know that God affirms that it is a noble calling. The question often arises "how do you know if you've been called to the ministry?" There are no hard and fast rules about this, but there is an inner "knowing" that God has called you to His work. Many times God will lead us through our desires. Notice that the office of a bishop is something that should be desired. Not so that people will look up to you....call you "Reverend"....give you a discount at the local cafe'...but because God says it is a good work. My advice to anyone who is questioning entrance in the ministry is this- if you can do anything else in life and be fulfilled-then you probably are not called into ministry. But if your heart's one true desire is to shepherd and feed the flock of God...I encourage you to develop that calling. Of course others around you will affirm that calling and will recognize that on your life. You don't have to print up promotional material talking about how great you are....the anointing upon your life will be evident. The elders in your church should be able to recognize your calling. I want to be careful to add that they should not initiate your calling...but they should be able to affirm that which is already there. Once that is done, begin as Paul said to "study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

I Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 4:9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation

We live in a culture that's obsessed with physical beauty. We (as a culture) spend millions of dollars each year on cosmetic surgery and extreme make-overs so that we can be perceived as beautiful. I'm not going on a tirade against exercise and physical activity...the bible does say there is a "little" profit in those things. But the emphasis should be on the inner man...and godliness! The beautiful thing about godliness is that it has a two-fold blessing according to this scripture. The most important benefit of course refers to that eternal reward that we will receive in the Kingdom of God. Jesus instructed us to lay up treasure in heaven and not on the earth....in other words "the best is yet to come." But notice it also says that godliness also has a benefit/profit in the life that we now live. Some people are under the impression that Christians have no fun, that they experience no joy or benefits in this life....nothing could be farther from the truth. Most of you know my stance on the popular prosperity teaching but I must say this- there are benefits to leading a godly life! You may not have millions of dollars but I can promise you that a godly life is much more rewarding than any other (if for no other reason than unbroken fellowship with our Heavenly Father). So while the world tries feverishly to find a fountain of youth, to turn back the clock, and to put all the emphasis on our outward man (which scripture says is "perishing" even now)....let us as the body of Christ focus on our inward man which is renewed day by day. (II Cor 4:16)

II Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

This next faithful saying offers us some conditional promises. I realize that some are against conditions in any form. We talk a lot about unconditional love, but God's covenant promises always (and I repeat always) come with conditions. Even God's covenant with Abraham (which was a covenant of faith) had conditions. Abraham was given the condition of circumcision. If he or his descendants failed to meet their end of the covenant, the covenant would be broken (Refer to Genesis 17:14). I'm amazed at the lack of understanding people have about covenant theology. We love all the positive promises of God, but we hate when any conditions are attached. One day I would love to write a book about the "if-then" statements of the bible....until then, I will continue to emphasize the need for human faithfulness to God. Here Paul says "if" we be dead with him (meaning Christ), then we shall also live with Him. This is in harmony with what Jesus said in the gospels- remember when He said that in order to save our lives...we must "lose" our lives for the gospel's sake (not necessarily by martyrdom, but by laying down our own will/agenda). In the last book of the bible (Revelation) we are told that those who overcome do so by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and they "loved not their lives unto the death." (Rev 12:11). If we suffer, we have the promise of reigning with him-however if we deny him- we have the awful reality that He will deny us. Remember that denial of Christ is not only verbal, but by our actions and deeds (refer to Titus 1:16). God is faithful- He will uphold His end of the covenant- so let's make sure we hold fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast until the end! (Hebrews 3:14)

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Paul says that this particular saying is worthy of constant affirmation. That means your pastor would be biblically justified to mention this every Sunday morning (even though most of us would hate that type of repetition). This faithful saying is obviously aimed at Christians because of the preface "they which have believed in God." Christians need to realize and as the text says to "be careful" (in other words-not slothful, negligent, or indifferent about this topic) to maintain good works. Not as a means of attaining salvation by works, but laying up a good foundation for the time to come. I am persuaded that many people will enter into an "empty heaven" (so to speak) because they were saved by fire (I Cor 3:15) but had no enduring reward. Some of this will be due to slothfulness, while others will be due to an impure motive of the heart. It would behove us to be about the Father's business while there is still time. Jesus said the "night is coming when no man can work." (John 9:4). Judging by the signs of the times we currently observe..... I believe that day is quickly approaching!

I hope that you have enjoyed this study on the faithful sayings of Paul. May God richly bless you as you study His Word!