[Robinson proposes a date of ‘Autumn 55.’] “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the foremost” (I Timothy 1:15). Paul’s theology is intertwined with his spiritual autobiography: he will recognize that “Christ Jesus our Lord … has strengthened me” (1:12), and he will be specific about the nature of his rebelliousness: “I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence” (1:13). Yet although his sins were real and deep, the heart of the story is about God’s mercy: “the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1:14).

Yet in the midst of this personal application, we should note that there’s a fairly precise two-natures christology going on, with regard to this. The Savior is identified as divine: “God our Savior … desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2:3-4). At the same time we learn that the one Mediator between God and humanity is specifically human: “Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all” (2:5-6). It would take several centuries for the church to sort out what that means, but the roots of “fully human, fully divine” are right here.

We should also note the clarity with which the text indicates God’s intention to save the world. Our Savior desires everyone to be saved; Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all. Some would insist that means that everyone is saved; yet we should not presume this, given the lament that “by rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith” (1:19), and the warning against appointing a recent convert to the office of bishop, lest he become “puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil” (3:6). We cannot presume to know that everyone will be saved: but we can declare with confidence that Jesus intends for everyone to make it.

In the meantime, Paul urges that “supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for everyone” (2:1) – and specifically for political leaders, in order that we may live in peace. Yet our prayers are not just for those in high positions, but for everyone: that we may all come to a knowledge of the truth, that we may all live a life of “godliness and dignity” (2:2), in “love and faith and purity” (4:12).

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We pray for the world, O Lord, with earnest supplication. We believe you have given yourself as a ransom for all, because you desire the redemption of all. We are so grateful that your grace has reached our hearts, stubborn as we are: and we pray for that same grace for all the needy broken hearts in every place.

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