The Divine Lamp

Notes on 1 Timothy

THE OPENING ADDRESS

Read 1:1-2

Paul: That St Paul actually wrote the “Pastoral Epistles,” consisting of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus is a hotly debated topic. A good summary overview of the arguments for and against his authorship can be found in THE JEROME BIBLICAL COMMENTARY 56:7-11. Here we will assume that St Paul is the author.

An apostle of Jesus Christ:

Of course, Paul did not need to insist on his authority with Timothy, however, the nature of the situation facing Timothy (false teachers, 1:3-7, 4:1-5; establishing church ministers, 3:1-13; establishing right order 5:1-6:2) called for the insistence on authority, and what authority Timothy had he received through the apostle (2 Tim 1:6), from the triune God (4:1-2). See also 1 Tim 1:3-5, 18; 4:11-16.

By command of God our savior: St Paul often speaks of his apostolic authority mediated to him by our Lord(Gal 1:11-12) as being “by the will of God” (1 Cor 1:1; 2 Cor 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; Here, however, he speaks of it as rooted in the divine command. This is no doubt done in view of the situation in the church at Ephesus. This reference to a divine command being behind Paul’s ministry serves to further highlight his authority, and, by extension, Timothy’s. On this point, the opening greeting helps prepare for what is said in 1:3-5

Savior: Surprisingly, the word is used only 24 times in the NT, with ten of those uses being found in the Pastoral Epistles (hereafter, PE). The title of savior is often applied to God in the OT, especially in the Psalms (24:5; 25:5; 27:9; ect.). In the NT the title is applied to both God the Father and to Christ (Father: Lk 1:47; Jude 25; 1 Tim 2:3; 4:10; Titus 1:3; 2:10; 3:4. Christ: Phil 3:20; 2 Tim 1:10; Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:6; 2 Pt 1:1; 2:20; 3:2; ect.).

Interesting to note that the title savior, when applied to God in the PE, always appears in the context of the Church’s mission; no doubt because that mission is salvific (see 1 Tim 4:11-16; esp. 16).

Christ Jesus our hope: Hope (Gr. Elpis) basically refers to a strong desire for something with an anticipation of gaining it. In its theological sense:

CCC 1817

The word is used only here in 1 Tim; however, it is used also in Titus1:2; 2:13; 3:7. In these passages the word clearly has an eschatological (end-time) nuance relating to salvation/eternal life. In 1 Tim various counsels and admonitions given to Timothy focus on salvation/eternal life without explicitly mentioning hope (see 4:6-16; 6:11-16), Perhaps St Paul refers to our Lord as “our hope” to encourage St Timothy in his ministry. It appears that St Timothy was prone to timidity, which allowed people to look upon him with disdain because of his youth (see 1 Cor 16:10-11; 1 Tim 4:12). This may have led him to slack off in his ministry (2 Tim 1:6-8).

CCC 1818

To Timothy, my legitimate child in the faith: In 1 Cor 4:14-17 St Paul calls the Corinthians his children and portrays himself as their spiritual father because he converted them to the faith: “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” In this same context he refers to St Timothy as his “beloved and faithful son.” This has led many to the conclusion that St Paul was responsible for the conversion of Timothy. They thus interpret 1 Tim 1:2 accordingly. However, the Corinthian passage, along with others where St Timothy is called St Paul’s son/child term him such in relation to his ministry. The most notable passage is in Philippians 2:

I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be heartened by hearing news of you. For I have no one comparable to him for genuine interest in whatever concerns you. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his worth, how as a child with his father he served along with me in the cause of the gospel. (2:19-22).

This raises the possibility that St Timothy is St Paul’s son, not because he was converted by Paul, but because he was empowered to ministry through him (see 1 Tim 1:18; 2 Tim 1:2; 2:1).

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord: St Paul sees his ministry as the product of grace (God strengthened him and appointed him to ministry 1:12, 14). This was motivated by God’s mercy (1:13, 16). It was meant to produce peace (1 Tim 2:1-7). Timothy’s mission was the result of grace which strengthens him 2 Tim 1:6-8). He is to pursue peace (2 Tim 2:14, 22).

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