1 Timothy 2:7

‘To which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.’

Humbled at the magnificent thought that he has offered, Paul now exults in the privilege that was his. This is not just an added comment. This was an essential part of the eternal plan of salvation (‘when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me even from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles’ - Galatians 1:15-16). Humanly speaking without the preacher the ransom would have been ineffective. And without this additional statement the words ‘to be testified to in due times’ would have been left hanging in the air. So he points out that God had already determined on the next step, and thus had he been appointed as a preacher, and an Apostle (yes, truly an Apostle, this is no lie) of the Gentiles.

‘To the Gentiles’ is important. He is explaining how the ransom can be ‘for all’. The One God of the Jews had arranged from the beginning to send him to the Gentiles. Thus none have been left out. Note the order of the privileges. First the preacher/proclaimer. For that message initially called for a preacher. It was through the preaching of the cross that what it had accomplished became effective (1 Corinthians 1:18). Then the Apostle, for as the Apostle he had to oversee what the preaching had accomplished. And as an Apostle he had to be a Teacher, so that men might not only hear and respond, but might also be built up in the truth.

‘In faith and truth.’ And he has taken the message with a heart full of faith and truthfulness, offering the truth to all men and women whose hearts were responsive in faith. ‘Faith and truth’ is both the source of the message and the ground in which the Gospel flourishes.

Some have cavilled at the thought that Paul would have so asserted his Apostleship to Timothy in this way, but that is to miss the point of the assertion. It was firstly in order to indicate how God’s plan was complete and demonstrated that the Gentiles were included in the universal offer of salvation (to us it is a commonplace, but in those days it was still a marvel. This also helps to confirm that the main heresy being faced in Ephesus is based on Jewish exclusivism. Compare Paul’s emphasis on ‘all’ throughout this passage). And secondly it was not Timothy that he wanted to convince. His words were for those to whom his letter would be passed on (as the closing greeting makes clear it is to be - 1 Timothy 6:21).

‘I speak the truth, I lie not.’ There is a strong inference here that others do not speak the truth, and that they do lie. The Ephesians need to consider the very foundations that prove, or otherwise, a Teacher, and ask what is the source of their teaching.