1 Timothy 1:1

As usual, except in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philippians, and Philemon, Paul reminded his readers of his authority as an apostle. Timothy would have read this letter publicly in the Ephesian church, and others would have read it in other congregations later as well.

Paul wrote here that his calling came to him by the commandment or commission of God, not simply by His "will," the term that Paul used more often in this connection. Paul received his commission in Damascus (Acts 9). This stronger word is one of many indications that Paul stressed the importance of faithful perseverance in God’s calling in this epistle, as he did in 2 Timothy as well.

The idea of God being our Savior is a characteristic emphasis in the Pastorals (1 Timothy 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 1:3; Titus 2:10; Titus 3:4; cf. Psalms 25:5; Psalms 27:1; Psalms 27:9; Habakkuk 3:18; Isaiah 12:2). Christ Jesus is our hope generally in that we have set our hope on Him, and specifically in that we look for His appearing when God will complete our salvation. Paul may have preferred the order "Christ Jesus" because the fact that Jesus was the Messiah was very important to him. [Note: Guthrie, p. 55.] Paul was not describing the relationship of the Persons in the Godhead to each other but to believers.

"The designation of God as Savior, unusual in Paul, is in keeping with the Old Testament presentation of God (Deuteronomy 32:15; Psalms 24:5; Psalms 27:1; Isaiah 12:2; Isaiah 17:10). It described the God who delivered his people from their bondage in Egypt and many times thereafter as the initiator and originator of salvation. In the New Testament, of course, God as the Savior is the initiator of the program of deliverance through Christ." [Note: Towner, 1-2 Timothy . . ., p. 40.]

Our salvation is secure because God is our Savior.