The Saying is trustworthy

​Paul uses two words in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus that are translated in an interesting way in English.
The Saying is Trustworthy.  It is a picture of the daily life of the apostle and his ministry in the churches as he perpetuated this newfound Christian faith to the next generation.  Here are the places where the phrase is found, with the words highlighted in red:

1Tim. 1:15 This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them.

This is a fantastic phrasing of the Gospel. Simply He came for me, and I'm the worst!  We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) we were born into it.  This saying is trustworthy because it carries with it the weight of the Gospel.

1Tim. 3:1        This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.”

In a completely different area, Paul is discussing the qualifications of elders, teachers, bishops, ministers...whatever the label of church leaders and it's a trustworthy thing to say.  It's a noble service. 

1 Tim. 4:8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come1Tim. 4:9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.

Here is another completely different area, but so practical.  Yes temporal concerns such as exercise have value.  But it's temporary.  Godliness, by contrast is valuable for both the temporal and the eternal! 

2Tim. 2:11 This saying is trustworthy: 
     For if we died with him, 
    we will also live with him;

In this instance, We have the hope of the Resurrection.  Paul is keen to always bring it up and in this wonderful simple statement is the promise of eternal life.  I think of Jesus's own statement:  Because I live, you will live.(John 14:19) What a wonder this is! 

Titus 3:8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.

What's he referring to here?  Actually it's one fo the most succinct and clear statements of the Gospel as it relates to the effect of Christ's redemption on the human frame.  Here it is:

Titus 3:5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

And THEN he says Titus 3:8!  A trustworthy statement indeed!  Praise God!