1 Timothy 1:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:1-4

Here is, I. The inscription of the epistle, from whom it is sent: Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, constituted an apostle by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ. His credentials were unquestionable. He had not only a commission, but a commandment, not only from God our Saviour, but from Jesus Christ: he was a preacher of the gospel of Christ, and a minister of the kingdom of Christ. Observe, God is our Saviour.?Jesus Christ, who is our hope. Observe, Jesus Christ is a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 1:1-2

1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the royal command of God, our Saviour, and of Jesus Christ, our Hope, writes this letter to Timothy, his true child in the faith. Grace, mercy and peace be to you from our Lord Jesus Christ. Never a man magnified his office as Paul did. He did not magnify it in pride; he magnified it in wonder that God had chosen him for a task like that. Twice in the opening words of this letter he lays down the greatness of his privilege. (i) First, he calls... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 1:1-2

Paul uses a title which was to become one of the great titles of Jesus--"Christ Jesus, our hope." Long ago the Psalmist had demanded of himself: "Why are you cast down, O my soul?" And he had answered: "Hope in God" ( Psalms 43:5 ). Paul himself speaks of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" ( Colossians 1:27 ). John speaks of the dazzling prospect which confronted the Christian, the prospect of being like Christ; and goes on to say: "Every one who thus hopes purifies himself as he is pure"... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 1:1-2

It is to Timothy that this letter is sent, and Paul was never able to speak of him without affection in his voice. Timothy was a native of Lystra in the province of Galatia. It was a Roman colony; it called itself "the most brilliant colony of Lystra," but in reality it was a little place at the ends of the civilized earth. Its importance was that there was a Roman garrison quartered there to keep control of the wild tribes of the Isaurian mountains which lay beyond. It was on the first... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 1:1-2

Paul always began his letters with a blessing ( Romans 1:7 ; 1 Corinthians 1:3 ; 2 Corinthians 1:2 ; Galatians 1:3 ; Ephesians 1:2 ; Philippians 1:2 ; Colossians 1:2 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:1 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:2 ; Philemon 1:3 ). In all these other letters only Grace and Peace occur. It is only in the letters to Timothy that Mercy is used ( 2 Timothy 1:2 ; Titus 1:4 ). Let us look at these three great words. (i) In Grace there are always three dominant ideas. (a)... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:1

Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ ,.... His name was well known to Timothy, and very dear to him; and so was his office as an apostle, and which he mentions, not so much for Timothy's sake, but for the sake of others, that what he delivers in this epistle might come with its proper weight and authority, and be regarded: of this his office, as well as name; see Gill on Romans 1:1 . How he came into this office next follows, not of himself, nor by men, by the commandment of God ; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:2

Unto Timothy my own son in the faith ,.... Not in the flesh, or by natural descent, but in a spiritual sense, in the faith of Christ; for Timothy was not related to the apostle according to the flesh, as some have thought, but the relation was spiritual; though the apostle was not properly his spiritual father, or the instrument of his conversion; for Timothy was a converted person, and a disciple of Christ, and well reported of by the brethren, when the apostle first met with him, Acts... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 1:1

Paul an apostle - by the commandment of God - We have already seen that the term αποστολος , apostle, literally signifies a person sent from one to another, without implying any particular dignity in the person, or importance in the message. But it is differently used in the New Testament, being applied to those who were sent expressly from God Almighty, with the message of salvation to mankind. It is, therefore, the highest character any human being can have; and he message is the most... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 1:2

My own son in the faith - Brought to salvation through Christ by my ministry alone. Probably the apostle speaks here according to this Jewish maxim: ילרו כאלו הכתוב עליו מעלה תורה תכירו בן המלמר כל He who teaches the law to his neighbour's son is considered by the Scripture as if he had begotten him; Sanhedrin, fol. xix. 2. And they quote Numbers 3:1 , as proving it: These are the generations of Aaron and Moses - and these are the names of the sons of Aaron. "Aaron," say they, "begot... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 1:1

Verse 1 1Paul an apostle If he had written to Timothy alone, it would have been unnecessary to claim this designation, and to maintain it in the manner that he does. Timothy would undoubtedly have been satisfied with having merely the name; for he knew that Paul was an Apostle of Christ, and had no need of proof to convince him of it, being perfectly willing, and having been long accustomed, to acknowledge it. He has his eye, therefore, chiefly on others, who were not so ready to listen to him,... read more

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