John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 1:12

"I thank him that enabled me, [even] Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to [his] service;" — 1 Timothy 1:12 (ASV)

I give thanks. Great is the dignity—of the apostleship, which Paul has claimed for himself; and he could not, looking at his former life, be accounted at all worthy of so high an honor. Accordingly, so that he may not be accused of presumption, he unavoidably comes to mention his own person, and at once frankly acknowledges his own unworthiness, but nevertheless affirms that he is an Apostle by the grace of God. But he goes further and turns to his own advantage what appeared to lessen his authority, declaring that the grace of God shines in him so much the more brightly.

To our Lord Jesus Christ. When he gives thanks to Christ, he removes that dislike towards him which might have been entertained, and cuts off all ground for asking this question: “Does he deserve, or does he not deserve, so honorable an office?” For, although in himself he has no excellence, yet it is enough that he was chosen by Christ. There are, indeed, many who, under the same form of words, make a show of humility, but are widely different from the uprightness of Paul, whose intention was not only to boast courageously in the Lord but also to give up all the glory that was his own.

By putting me into the ministry. Why does he give thanks? Because he has been placed in the ministry, for from this he concludes that he has been accounted faithful. Christ does not receive anyone in the way ambitious people do but selects only those who are well qualified; therefore, all on whom He bestows honor are acknowledged by us to be worthy. For is it inconsistent with this that Judas, according to the prediction (Psalms 109:8), was elevated for a short time so that he might quickly fall? It was otherwise with Paul, who obtained the honor for a different purpose and on a different condition, when Christ declared that he should be a chosen vessel to him (Acts 9:15).

But in this manner, Paul seems to say that faithfulness, by which he had been previously distinguished, was the cause of his calling. If it were so, the thanksgiving would be hypocritical and contradictory, for he would owe his apostleship not only to God but also to his own merit. I deny, therefore, that the meaning is that he was admitted to the rank of an apostle because God had foreseen his faith; for Christ could not foresee in him anything good but what the Father had bestowed on him. Still, therefore, it continues to be true, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you (John 15:16).

On the contrary, he draws from it a proof of his faithfulness: that Christ had made him an Apostle. For he declares that those whom Christ makes Apostles must be held to be pronounced faithful by His decrees.

In a word, this judicial act is not traced by him to foreknowledge but rather denotes the testimony which is given to men, as if he had said, “I give thanks to Christ, who, by calling me into the ministry, has openly declared that He approves of my faithfulness.”

Who has made me powerful. He now mentions another act of Christ’s kindness: that He strengthened him, or “made him powerful.” By this expression, he not only means that he was at first formed by the hand of God so as to be well qualified for his office, but he also includes the continued bestowal of grace. For it would not have been enough that he was once declared to be faithful if Christ had not strengthened him by the uninterrupted communication of aid. He acknowledges, therefore, that he is indebted to the grace of Christ on two accounts: because he was once elevated and because he continues in his office.