1&2 Timothy
and Titus are known as the pastoral letters because they give instructions to
Timothy and Titus concerning the pastoral care of churches. All three letters
probably were written not long after the events of Acts 28.
GREETINGS FROM PAUL
1 Timothy 1:1-2
1 Timothy 1:1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of
Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who
gives us hope. 1 Timothy 1:2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the
faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and
peace.
Every greeting written in the bible usually has
a purpose. We say hi, or hello or some other non-consequential thought. Not
that we do not mean to be polite but there is no other reason for our greeting.
With the apostles there always seems to be additional meaning.
Life
Application New Testament Commentary
Apostle comes from
the Greek word apostolos, meaning “one who is sent.”
Paul calls God our Savior. Paul used the
phrase “our Savior” six times in the letters to Timothy and Titus Paul may have
used this particular Greek word, soter, because, at the time, the cruel
emperor Nero applied it to himself. The apostle would not have hesitated to
repudiate Nero’s claim. Paul reminded his readers who the true Savior was. Paul
calls Christ Jesus our hope. Our hope rests in Jesus Christ. He is the
embodiment of our faith, the basis for our eternal life.
In the second verse he is handing over the responsibility to Timothy. This
verse also contains the word MERCY. It appears like Paul knew the hardships
coming and want mercy to be shown. There were people in Ephesus who were not
teaching the truth and I am sure that they did not want a new face coming in
and taking over the spotlight.
Paul used grace and peace as a
standard greeting in all of his letters. However, it is only in his letters to
Timothy that he used mercy. “Mercy” carries with it the Old Testament
picture of God’s loving-kindness. God’s mercy helps us day by day. Paul knew
that Timothy was facing a difficult situation in Ephesus, so he added the word mercy
to reassure Timothy of God’s protection and guidance. By using the phrase, God
our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord, Paul pointed to Jesus as a full
person of the Godhead. Both God the Father and Christ the Lord are coequal in
providing the resources of grace, mercy, and peace. Paul recognized the full
deity of Jesus.
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