Throughout the first chapter Paul deals with law (1:1-11, 18-20) and grace (1:12-17).

1. We are to fight the good fight of faith.
   • 1:18-19a; ‘war the good warfare’. For first century prophets, see 1 Tim.4:14; 2 Tim.1:6; Acts 15:32.
   • the Christian life is a life of battles – Eph.6:10-13; 2

Verses 16-17 are set side-by-side as contrasts, yet they belong together in Paul’s mind.

1. Paul as a pattern of grace.
   • 1:16. Paul is the first and worst of sinners (1:15), yet he is an example, an exhibit, a pattern, a prototype of all conversions. Some of this is unique

Thomas Bilney: ‘O most sweet and comfortable sentence to my soul’. Bilney felt what he described as ‘a marvellous comfort and quietness, insomuch as my bruised bones leaped for joy.’ About 1524 he conveyed its message to Hugh Latimer.

1. This is a saying to take to heart.
   • there are

John Bunyan’s second most famous book, after The Pilgrim’s Progress, is his autobiographical Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. He received the inspiration for the title from verses 14-15.

1. Grace makes us thankful.
   • 1:12; see 1 Cor.7:25. Christ gave him wisdom, and enabled him (NIV has

This portion of Scripture excluded Israel Folau from playing rugby for Australia and has been outlawed by the Victorian government since February 2021. Martin Luther: ‘The law reveals the disease; the gospel ministers the medicine.’ Samuel Bolton: ‘The law sends us to the Gospel, that we may be justified, …