17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Timothy 1:17
Different Doctrine
As Paul writes to Timothy, his “true child in the Faith”, he encourages him in his ministry. Paul has asked Timothy to remain in Ephesus to charge certain persons who are teaching a “different” doctrine. According to Paul, these teachers had drifted from the Truth. Instead, they had devoted themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Rather than stewardship resulting from faith, they were promoting speculation. Ignorance seemed to rule the day.
Paul’s Plea
The aim of Paul’s charge was, “love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5b). As he was nearing the date of his death, Paul’s plea was passionate. Paul’s charge was near and dear to his heart. If anyone could testify to the saving power of the gospel and the Grace of God, it was Paul. After challenging Timothy to charge the wayward teachers, Paul recounts his own calling.
Paul’s Appointment
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. – 1 Timothy 1:12-16
King of Ages
Paul had spent time as a prisoner in Rome before he wrote to Timothy, but he is spiritually free. And forever will be. While he was a blasphemer, persecutor and insolent opponent of God and His church, Paul was confronted with God’s mercy. Despite being the “chief of sinners”, God saw in Paul a valuable servant. Paul considers himself a model of one simple fact; Jesus came to save sinners. Plain and simple. As he prepares to meet his Savior, Paul’s focus is locked on God’s honor and glory. Church leaders like Paul and Timothy will come and go, but the God they serve stands outside of time. He is indeed the King of the ages. He is the one who unites the links in time’s chain as history moves towards its culmination. As King, God rules over the epochs of human history. Caesar may have put Paul in bonds, but Paul recognizes none but his heavenly Father as King. One whose reign will never end.
Immortal
As I look at the attributes Paul writes in this doxology, I wonder about the solace Paul found in them considering his conversion experience. Paul says that he was a persecutor and insolent opponent of God. As such he was responsible for the torturing and perhaps even killing of Christians. Certainly, he did nothing to stop the stoning of Stephen. This man who once “breathed threats and murder” against the disciples of the Lord, now refers to God as immortal. This former chief of sinners who once seemed to find so much satisfaction in the death of Christians now takes comfort in the immortality of their heavenly Father; his heavenly Father. God is beyond the reach of sin’s consequences. Death and decay will never touch or alter Him. The hate and disbelief of man will never remove God from His throne. Perhaps Paul had flashbacks of Stephen’s stoning as he penned this. Or perhaps he had speculations of the probability of his own approaching martyrdom. Paul knew the cost of serving Christ. Regardless, as he approaches the end of his life, Paul wants to extol the fact that the King of ages is immortal.
Invisible
God not only stands outside of time, but he also lives outside of human “sense”. When Paul states that God is invisible, he is stating more than the fact that God cannot be seen. In actuality, God is beyond discovery by any of the human senses. If God did not choose to reveal Himself to us, we would never be able to discover Him through our own efforts. Again, Paul knew this very well from experience. On his way to Damascus to persecute the Church, God very clearly revealed Himself to Paul in the Second person of the Trinity. Knocked off of his horse and blinded by a bright light, Paul heard the voice of Jesus. Although invisible, God very profoundly introduced Himself to Paul. Neither Paul nor his senses would ever be the same. The invisible God temporarily blinded Paul, but when his eyes were opened he saw everything in a different light and perspective. Through Jesus, God introduced Paul to the spiritual realm. Paul was lifted from the realm of the empirical to the realm of the “real”. The realm where the invisible King of ages does His eternal work. The realm where the only God works.
Saved Sinners
It was the King of ages who created Adam. It was the immortal God who chose Abraham. It was the invisible God who handpicked Moses. It was the only God who appointed Jeremiah to be a prophet before he was even born. From the Old Testament Prophets to the New Testament Apostles, the King of ages has been active in the spiritual realm saving lost sinners and turning them into servants. Paul and Timothy were blessed to be included among the “appointed”, but the chain would continue to be forged. Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Whitefield, Spurgeon, Tozer, Lewis, Lloyd-Jones, the beat goes on. The kingdom advances. All of these saints were aware of one very simple fact. They were sinners saved by Grace. That is why Christ came into the world.
Like Paul, all true Saints can echo, “the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”, so that the charge may be made, “love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Throughout history, the faith and love of Jesus Christ have flowed through the lives of the saints and will continue to do so. The God of ages will make sure this happens for His honor and glory. Forever.
Sinners saved by grace. Perhaps if we truthfully assessed what God has done for us in Christ, we too, like Paul might break out in a doxology!
“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”