1 Timothy 1:1-2
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It’s easy to skim over the opening, but Paul’s first words here are a bold declaration: he’s not an apostle by his own choosing, but by God's direct command. This wasn't a casual suggestion; it was the saving God and the hope of all humanity who commissioned him.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is writing a letter to Timothy, his beloved protégé, who is leading the church in Ephesus. This opening immediately establishes Paul's authority as an apostle, not by his own choosing but by God's direct commission. He's setting the stage to give Timothy instructions and encouragement on how to lead faithfully, especially in the face of false teachings that were starting to creep in.
Ever wonder where Paul got the nerve to write with such authority? It wasn't self-proclaimed.
Paul doesn't begin his letter with a casual "Hey everyone." He immediately grounds his authority in divine appointment.
Direct Commission
He states he's an "apostle... by command of God our Savior." This isn't a suggestion; it's a divine order. God Himself commissioned Paul.
Christ Jesus Our Hope
He further clarifies this authority is also "of Christ Jesus our hope." His mission is tied directly to Jesus, who is presented as the ultimate focus of our confidence and expectation.
Paul packs incredible theology into just a few opening words. Who are God and Jesus to him, and to us?
The way Paul identifies God and Jesus here reveals their essential roles in salvation and our future.
God as Savior
Calling God "our Savior" isn't just a title; it's a declaration of His saving action. He is the ultimate rescuer, the one who delivers us from sin and its consequences.
Jesus as Hope
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Identifying Jesus as "our hope" points to our future security and ultimate destination. In Christ, we have confidence not just for today, but for eternity. He is the anchor of our faith.
Understand the original words
apostolos · Greek Noun
One sent with a commission or delegated authority, specifically referring to those appointed directly by Christ as official representatives and authoritative witnesses of the Gospel.
sōtēr · Greek Noun
The title applied to God emphasizing His role as the One who rescues or delivers humanity from the consequences of sin, judgment, and eternal separation from Him.
elpis · Greek Noun
In the New Testament, this refers to the confident, joyful expectation of the fulfillment of God's promises, rooted specifically in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
pistis · Greek Noun
Refers to the state of being spiritually reborn and living in accordance with the Gospel; it signifies the sphere of the Christian's existence and relationship with God.
charis · Greek Noun
Unmerited favor; the free, underserved gift of God's benevolence, especially in the context of salvation and the ongoing sustaining power given to believers.
eleos · Greek Noun
God's compassionate withholding of the judgment that people deserve, often paired with grace, reflecting His tenderness toward human misery and sin.
eirēnē · Greek Noun
More than the absence of conflict; it is the wholeness, prosperity, and reconciliation with God that comes through the work of Jesus Christ.
Paul grounds his authority not in his own will, but in God's direct command and the person of Jesus Christ, establishing the ultimate source of his apostolic mission and the certainty of Christian hope.
c. AD 5-4 BC
Jesus Born in Bethlehem
The birth of Jesus Christ, fulfilling prophecies and marking the beginning of God's salvation plan.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection provide the foundation for salvation and establish Christ Jesus as our hope.
c. AD 30s-40s
Early Church Spreading the Gospel
Following Jesus' ascension, the apostles and early believers begin to spread the Christian message throughout the Roman Empire.
c. AD 46-48
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul, commissioned by God, travels with Barnabas, establishing churches in Asia Minor and laying groundwork for future epistles.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Second Missionary Journey
Paul continues his mission, traveling through Asia Minor and into Greece, facing opposition but strengthening new believers.
c. AD 53-56
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
Paul's extensive travels reinforce churches and address doctrinal issues, further preparing him for future writings.
c. AD 62-64— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Timothy
From Rome or possibly Macedonia, Paul writes to his protégé Timothy, who is ministering in Ephesus, providing instruction on church leadership and sound doctrine.
This verse also begins with Paul identifying himself as an apostle, but specifically states his apostleship is 'not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father'. This highlights the divine authority behind Paul's commission, echoing 1 Timothy 1:1's emphasis on God's command.
Ephesians 3:7Paul describes himself as a 'servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace. This connects to 1 Timothy 1:1 by emphasizing that his apostleship is a divinely given role, not something he earned, but a gift of God's command.
1 Corinthians 1:1This passage also opens with Paul declaring himself an apostle 'by the will of God'. It reinforces the theme that his authority and calling stem directly from God's sovereign purpose, mirroring the statement in 1 Timothy 1:1.
Colossians 1:1Here, Paul is an apostle 'by the will of God'. This further solidifies the understanding that his apostleship was not self-appointed but a deliberate act of God's will, aligning with the 'command of God' mentioned in 1 Timothy.
It’s easy to skim over the opening, but Paul’s first words here are a bold declaration: he’s not an apostle by his own choosing, but by God's direct command. This wasn't a casual suggestion; it was the saving God and the hope of all humanity who commissioned him.
Paul is writing a letter to Timothy, his beloved protégé, who is leading the church in Ephesus. This opening immediately establishes Paul's authority as an apostle, not by his own choosing but by God's direct commission. He's setting the stage to give Timothy instructions and encouragement on how to lead faithfully, especially in the face of false teachings that were starting to creep in.
Paul is writing a letter to Timothy, his beloved protégé, who is leading the church in Ephesus. This opening immediately establishes Paul's authority as an apostle, not by his own choosing but by God's direct commission. He's setting the stage to give Timothy instructions and encouragement on how to lead faithfully, especially in the face of false teachings that were starting to creep in.
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." — It’s easy to skim over the opening, but Paul’s first words here are a bold declaration: he’s not an apostle by his own choosing, but by God's direct command. This wasn't a casual suggestion; it was t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
