Lectionary Year C
September 16, 2001
1 Timothy 1:12-17

Step II: Disposition

Step II - Disposition

A. Genre

(JFC) These statements seem to be an autobiographical admission of guilt of sinning to the extreme, followed repeatedly by justification upon justification, all couched in acknowledgements of Christ's salvation. The first sentence is three verses long and is expressed in convoluted complexities. Each of the final three verses is each a sentence a piece. The first of these, verse 15, is relatively simple and straightforward. The next, verse 16, is much more intricate; it has at least two, if not three, different subjects of the actions either expressed or alluded to. Then, the final one, verse 17, is a doxology, stated in traditional form.

B. Personal Interaction

(JFC) My first question asks, why so disjointed, repetitious and interruptory? The words and phrases seem to lack coherence, they hardly ever remain on the same topic in the various sentences. Can the author(s) not stick to the same idea initially addressed? Then, too, with apologies to Hamlet, "doth he protesteth too much"? "Me thinks" so. Does he really believe that claim he makes about himself and Christ in verse 16? Does he really think he is the best, or even the only, example of Christ's grace? And, as welcomed as is the doxology, is it really a part of this passage? We could hope.

C. Organization

(JFC) The disjointedness occurs all the way through the first three verses and the penultimate verse (15) is a bit disorderly, too. The repetition takes place in verses 13a, 15d and 16b, about the author(s) sinfulness and in verses 12a, 14a, 15b and 16a, on Christ's grace and mercy. The interruptions arise in verses 15d and 16b. The doxology ends the lection (verse 17), with some relief, we might acknowledge.

| Return to gospel text listings | Return to epistle text listings |
| Return to Old Testament listings | Return to Psalm listings |
| User response form |