"Ignorantly in unbelief"

GROUNDS FOR MERCY: 1 Timothy 1:13 (part 2)

But I acted ignorantly in unbelief.

Paul here sets down the first of two grounds he will cite for God’s forgiveness of him: he didn’t know what he was doing, and did not understand what was at stake.

This is a statement deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition. The Torah makes a clear distinction between unintentional sin and that which is done “with a high hand” (as the old KJV puts it): the first is pardonable and the latter is far more grievous. So also the Psalmist asks to be kept clear from “hidden faults” (Ps 19:12). In the New Testament, Hebrews 10:26 ff. reflects this same sense, and the present tense of “to sin” in 1 John 3 probably does as well (as is so translated by ESV: “keeps on sinning”). Paul, in the words of Jesus’ intercession for His persecutors from the cross, “did not know what he was doing”.

Yet Paul still feels the weight of this sin, and carries a sense of unworthiness even as he claims the freedom of grace (which is the second great ground of redemption as we will see). Sin is a serious thing, known or unknown; and the closer we get to Christ, the more aware we are of that fact and of our tendency to be on the wrong side of it. It is by the forbearance of a merciful God that we find grace.

Lord of all knowledge, forgive my faults done in ignorance and with a lack of faith, or faith in the wrong thing. Fill me with your presence, and give to me the wisdom that comes from you so that, like the Apostle, I may turn and bless and help others along their pilgrim way. Amen.


(Lusby, Maryland)