“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” (I Timothy 1:15).
The adjective “faithful” is usually applied either to God or to those godly men and women who remain true to their words and convictions. However, there are eight New Testament references to words (or “sayings”) that are faithful.
Six of the references to sayings that are faithful are found in Paul’s pastoral epistles, as he gave counsel to young pastors Timothy and Titus, the first being our text for the day. Here are Paul’s faithful sayings: (1) “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;” (2) “If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (I Timothy 3:1); (3) “Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things” (I Timothy 4:8); (4) “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” (II Timothy 2:11,12); (5) “They which have believed in God (should) be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:8). The sixth reference is a command that any “bishop” must continue “holding fast the faithful word (same as ‘saying’) as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).
The final two references are in the Bible’s last two chapters, stressing that the words of Revelation are indeed true and believable. After stating His glorious promises for the future life, Christ told John: “Write: for these words (i.e., ‘sayings’) are true and faithful” (Revelation 21:5). Then, after the magnificent description of the Holy City, the angel said: “These sayings are faithful and true” (Revelation 22:6).
All the Bible’s sayings are true, of course, but these that are specifically called “faithful” surely warrant our special attention. HMM
