12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Let me begin on this passage by pointing out in verse 12 Paul writes that Jesus Christ appointed him into service. The Greek word that is translated into “appointing me” is tithemi. Every definition of that word has to do the One doing the “appointing” having complete control over the one being appointed. In this instance it is the Lord Who has complete control. In every other instance tithemi is used (103 other times) it speaks of the same usage.
Some examples: Neither do men light a candle, and put (tithemi) it under a bushel (Matthew 5:15); For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put (tithemi) him in prison (Matthew 14:3); Joseph of Arimethea took the body of Jesus and laid (tithemi) it in his own new tomb (Matthew 27:60). In each of these examples and every other usage of the word, the subject has complete control over the object.
Then notice in verse 15 that Paul wrote that Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He did not write that Jesus came into the world to save every sinner, nor did He come into the world to save all sinners. Jesus came into the world to shed His blood and die for some sinners. And who would that be? Answer, those placed in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Jesus said as much during the Last Supper, “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” (Mark 14:24)
Paul continued and wrote that he was shown mercy so that Christ could display His unlimited patience... For everyone? No! Paul was shown mercy so that Jesus might display His unlimited patience in Paul for those who would believe.
Now we get back to the old argument of who will believe unto salvation. God’s Word tells us only those in whom the Father works will believe (John 6:29; Philippians 1:29). But those who believe in decisional salvation say that a lost man has the capability to believe and can choose to do so. I refute that with passages like:
Genesis 6:5 - every imagination of the heart of an unregenerate man is only evil, continually.
Jeremiah 13:23 - as a black man can not change the color of his skin neither can an unregenerate man do good.
Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:
John 1:13 - we become children of God NOT by human decision.
John 3:20 - an unregenerate man hates Jesus and will NOT come unto Him.
Romans 3:10-12 - there are none righteous, none who understand, none who seek God, none who do good.
Romans 8:8 - anyone in the flesh (which is every lost man) can NOT please God, which includes believing and repenting.
1 Corinthians 15:2 - an unregenerate man can believe, but it's in vain.
2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5 - an unregenerate man is not saved because of anything he has done, like believe.
The bottom line is that a man does not become a Christian by choosing Christ, NO ONE chose or will choose Christ (John 15:16). God does the choosing and He did it long before anyone was born (Ephesians 1:4).
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