2 Timothy 1:1-2

INTRODUCTION 1:1-5

SALUTATION 2 Timothy 1:1-2

Text 1:1, 2

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thought Questions 1:1, 2

1.

Show how the will of God related to Paul's apostleship.

2.

Who made the promise of life? To whom? When? Why?

3.

In what sense was this life in Christ Jesus?

4.

Show two differences in the salutations of I and II Timothy.

5.

Is beloved child different from genuine child? Explain.

6.

Define each word: (1) grace; (2) mercy; (3) peace.

Paraphrase 1:1, 2

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, on account of publishing the promise of eternal life, which, being made to believers of all nations in the covenant with Abraham, is to be obtained, not by obeying Moses, but Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved son in the faith: May gracious dispositions, merciful deliverance, and inward peace, be yours, from God the Father of Jews and Gentiles, and from Christ Jesus our common Lord,

Comment 1:1, 2

2 Timothy 1:1. Perhaps the opening of this letter sounds a bit formal to our western understanding. Besides the difference in letter style, let us not forget that this epistle was to be read, like the first one, by many in the church at Ephesus, and perhaps in some of the other churches of Asia. This is a personal letter, but it contains inspired, apostolic instruction.

In this salutation, Paul speaks of himself in the following terms: (1) an apostle of Jesus Christ; (2) called to the office by the will of God; (3) called into the office for the purpose of announcing the promise of life in Christ Jesus. He next speaks of Timothy in the following terms: (1) beloved son; (2) he invokes on him the threefold blessings of grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is in prison, about to be beheaded, and yet he says his calling and work were according to, and directed by, the will of God. Such complete commitment enabled him to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4). As to the meaning and use of the term apostle, we refer you to our comment on 1 Timothy 1:1.

Jesus came to give life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). Paul felt his responsibility as an apostle was to tell about this Life. Without Christ we are existing, but not living. God promises life to all those who will accept it in His Son who is The Life (John 14:6).

2 Timothy 1:2. The greeting here has but little variation from the one found in Paul's first letter. Here Timothy is addressed as beloved child; in the first letter, he is called genuine child. There is a very good reason for this term of endearment: Paul was facing deathas he recalled those with whom he had labored, none were nearer or dearer to him than Timothy. Paul had the same heart-satisfaction as a father with an obedient, faithful son. Paul could not have thought more of Timothy if he had been of his own flesh and blood. Indeed, he was his child in The Faith.

Fact Questions 1:1, 2

1.

Explain how such a formal greeting appears in an informal letter.

2.

Was it the will of God that Paul suffer execution at the hand of Nero? Explain.

3.

What is the life which is in Christ Jesus?

4.

In what sense was Timothy beloved by Paul?

5.

What is mercy, as here used by Paul?