Faithful saying

The faithful sayings (translated as trustworthy saying in the NIV) are sayings in the pastoral epistles of the New Testament. There are five sayings with this label, and the Greek phrase (πιστος ο λογος) is the same in all instances, although the KJV uses a different word in 1 Timothy 3:1. George W. Knight III argues that the sayings are "self-conscious creedal/liturgical expressions of the early church" which "either speak in terms of the person and work of Christ or reflect a teaching or saying of Christ," and thus "show the orientation to Christ of the early church."[1]

The sayings

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.
— 1 Timothy 1:15, KJV
This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
— 1 Timothy 3:1, KJV
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
— 1 Timothy 4:8-9[2], KJV
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
— 2 Timothy 2:11-13, KJV
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
— Titus 3:4-8[3], KJV

See also

References

  1. ↑ Knight, George W. The Faithful Sayings in the Pastoral Letters. p. 3.
  2. ↑ The 1984 edition of the New International Version interpreted the faithful saying as verse 10: "This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive) that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe." However, this was changed in the 2011 NIV, which locates the faithful saying in verse 8: "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe."
  3. ↑ Knight (Faithful Sayings, p. 3) argues that the saying covers verses 4 to 7.

External links

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