Paul the "first"...or PROTOTYPE

[eph3Nine]

You need to know, from your bible, that Paul was THE FIRST and THE PATTERN of something entirely new. Something never before revealed. Here are the verses:

1 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. (<---there’s that word!)
1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first (<--again!) Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Do you know what Paul is the FIRST of and the PATTERN for? Answer: The church, the body of Christ.

 

[eph3Nine]

Peter is never given this distinction...so I wonder how we can say that the gospel they preached is the same?

 

[Apollos1]

Not only has the respondant taken the word "protos" out of CONTEXT, she has done the same to the word "pattern" - out of desperation to prove what she can not.

The Greek word is "protos" meaning:

1) first in time or place
a) in any succession of things or persons
2) first in rank
a) influence, honour
b) chief
c) principal
3) first, at the first

The context will determine the exact use.

Upon even a casual review of the passage the reader can see that Paul is proclaiming himself to be the "first" in rank, the "principal", the very "chief" of sinners!!!

That is why many of the major translation use "chief" and not "first" by itself, as it does not convey the thought that Paul is projecting. Two major translations use "of whom [sinners] I am the WORST"...!

The next verse solidifies the context of this, that Paul was the "pattern" for how God's MERCY is longsuffering to the sinner.

But some will grasp at "straws" to bolster frivolous theology...

 

[eph3Nine]

Peter is never given this distinction...so I wonder how we can say that the gospel they preached is the same?

Again, Peter is never given this distinction. THAT is the point!

 

[foundinHim]

How hard is it for some to believe that God knew what He was doing when He chose Paul to usher in "the dispensation of the grace of God" "and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery"?

God in His infinite wisdom, love, and mercy is always perfect in His Divine plan and purposes and His grace is exceeding abundant, even though none of us deserve it...and His will will always be done, in spite of any one's foolish imagination. Why is this so hard to for some to believe and understand???

Let's take another look at 1Tim.1:11-16
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant
with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
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.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in ME FIRST Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.

v.11---the blessed God
v.12---Paul, the trusted minister
v.13---the chief of sinners unsaved
v.14---The Lord's abounding grace and faith and love which is in Christ Jesus
v.15---the chief of sinners saved
v.16---Paul, the pattern of sinners saved

 

[heymikey80]

Again, Peter is never given this distinction. THAT is the point!

The names of the twelve apostles[!] are [present tense] these: first (protos) Simon, who is called Peter Mt 10:2
​

You know what the opposite of first is? Last and least.

Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Cor 15:8-9
​

 

[yeshuasavedme]

The names of the twelve apostles[!] are [present tense] these: first (protos) Simon, who is called Peter Mt 10:2
​

You know what the opposite of first is? Last and least.

Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Cor 15:8-9
​

Paul the last apostle to see the LORD, is clear.

 

[eph3Nine]

How hard is it for some to believe that God knew what He was doing when He chose Paul to usher in "the dispensation of the grace of God" "and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery"?

God in His infinite wisdom, love, and mercy is always perfect in His Divine plan and purposes and His grace is exceeding abundant, even though none of us deserve it...and His will will always be done, in spite of any one's foolish imagination. Why is this so hard to for some to believe and understand???

Let's take another look at 1Tim.1:11-16
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant
with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
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.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in ME FIRST Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.

v.11---the blessed God
v.12---Paul, the trusted minister
v.13---the chief of sinners unsaved
v.14---The Lord's abounding grace and faith and love which is in Christ Jesus
v.15---the chief of sinners saved
v.16---Paul, the pattern of sinners saved

Yes, so very difficult for some to SEE the uniqueness and importance of the ministry and office given to Paul. He is OUR apostle with information specific to this AGE of GRACE.

 

[Apollos1]

It was said - Again, Peter is never given this distinction. THAT is the point...

I know the "point" you attempted to make taking the passage out of CONTEXT...

but the POINT of 1 Timothy was something totally different!

The only "first" mentioned here for Paul was that he was "first" in line for being a SINNER - not some type of pattern for something new, which idea can not be found within the passage.

Did you get my POINT ?

 

[heymikey80]

Yes, so very difficult for some to SEE the uniqueness and importance of the ministry and office given to Paul. He is OUR apostle with information specific to this AGE of GRACE.

I see the uniqueness and importance Paul assigns to himself, so ... were I to follow Paul as MY Apostle, I would have to conclude Paul is the last and least of the Apostles.

 

[billwald]

Hyperdispensationism teaches that Paul's teaching is superior - has authority to modify and countermand Jesus' teaching.

 

[yeshuasavedme]

Hyperdispensationism teaches that Paul's teaching is superior - has authority to modify and countermand Jesus' teaching.

And we have been showing that teaching to be false, here, by the Scriptures.