Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 1 Timothy 1:1 - 1:1
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1Ti_1:1
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,
1Ti_1:1 "Paul" Most Jews of Paul's day had two first names, one Jewish, one Roman (cf. Act_13:9). Paul's Jewish name was Saul. He, like the ancient King of Israel, was of the tribe of Benjamin (cf. Rom_11:1; Php_3:5). His Roman name in Greek form, Paul (Paulos), meant "little." This referred to
1. his physical stature which was alluded to in a second century non-canonical book, The Acts of Paul, in a chapter about Thessalonica called "Paul and Thekla"
2. his personal sense of being least of the saints because he originally persecuted the Church (cf. 1Co_15:9; Eph_3:8; 1Ti_1:15)
3. simply the name given by his parents at birth
Option #3 seems best.
▣ "an apostle" This root is one of two common Greek verbs for "send." This term has several theological usages.
1. The rabbis used it as one called and sent as an official representative of another, something like our English "ambassador" (cf. 2Co_5:20).
2. The Gospels often use the verb form of this term of Jesus being sent by the Father. In John the term takes on Messianic overtones (cf. Joh_4:34; Joh_5:24; Joh_5:30; Joh_5:36-38; Joh_6:29; Joh_6:38-40; Joh_6:57; Joh_7:29; Joh_8:42; Joh_10:36; Joh_11:42; Joh_17:3; Joh_17:8; Joh_17:18; Joh_17:21; Joh_17:23; Joh_17:25; Joh_20:21).
3. It is used of Jesus sending believers (cf. Joh_17:18; Joh_20:21).
4. It is used of a special leadership gift in the NT.
a. the original twelve inner circle of disciples (cf. Act_1:21-22)
b. a special group of Apostolic helpers and co-workers
(1) Barnabas (cf. Act_14:4; Act_14:14)
(2) Andronicus and Junias (KJV, Junia, cf. Rom_16:7)
(3) Apollos (cf. 1Co_4:6-9)
(4) James the Lord's brother (cf. Gal_1:19)
(5) Silvanus and Timothy (cf. 1Th_2:6)
(6) possibly Titus (cf. 2Co_8:23)
(7) possibly Epaphroditus (cf. Php_2:25)
c. an ongoing gift in the church (cf. Eph_4:11)
5. Paul uses this title for himself in most of his letters as a way of asserting his God-given authority as Christ's representative (cf. 1Co_1:1; 2Co_1:1; Eph_1:1; Col_1:1; 2Ti_1:1). Even in a personal letter like 1 Timothy, this authority is important.
a. his authority gave Timothy authority
b. he is combating false teachers
c. his letter was obviously read to the entire church
▣ "of Christ Jesus" These terms are part of the fuller title "the Lord Jesus Christ." These three titles all have individual significance.
1. "Christ" is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah (Anointed One). It asserts Jesus' OT status as God's promised one sent to set up the new age of righteousness.
2. "Jesus" is the name given to the baby in Bethlehem by the angel (cf. Mat_1:21). It is made up of two Hebrew nouns: "YHWH," the covenant name for deity, and "salvation" (cf. Exo_3:14). It is the same Hebrew name as Joshua. When used alone it often identifies the man, Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary (e.g., Mat_1:16; Mat_1:25; Mat_2:1; Mat_3:13; Mat_3:15-16; Act_13:23; Act_13:33; Rom_8:11; 1Co_11:23; 1Co_12:3; Eph_4:21; Php_2:10; 1Th_1:10; 1Th_4:14).
3. "Lord" (used in 1Ti_1:1 in KJV or in 1Ti_1:12) is the translation of the Hebrew term adon, which meant "owner, husband, master, or lord." The Jews became afraid of pronouncing the sacred name YHWH lest they take it in vain and break one of the Ten Commandments. Whenever they read the Scriptures, they substituted Adon for YHWH. This is why our English translations use all capitals Lord for YHWH in the OT. By transferring this title (kurios in Greek) to Jesus, the NT authors assert His deity and equality with the Father (this same thing is done by the grammar of 1Ti_1:2 with one preposition referring to God the Father and Jesus the Son, cf. 1Th_1:1; 2Th_1:1-2).
▣ "according to the commandment of God" This is another literary way of asserting Paul's apostolic authority. Paul's ministry was the "will of God" (cf. 2Ti_1:1) and "the commandment of God" (cf. Tit_1:3). This probably refers to Paul's call on the road to Damascus and the information revealed through Ananias (cf. Act_9:1-22; Act_22:3-16; Act_26:9-18). Paul did not volunteer!
▣ "God our Savior" This is an OT title for YHWH's care and deliverance of Israel (cf. Isa_19:20; Isa_43:3; Isa_43:11; Isa_45:15; Isa_45:21; Isa_49:26; Isa_60:16; Isa_63:8), especially through the coming Suffering Servant (cf. Isa_52:13 to Isa_53:12). This title is used of God the Father in Tit_1:3; Tit_2:10; Tit_3:4 and of God the Son, Jesus, in Tit_1:4; Tit_2:13; Tit_3:6. This is another way of theologically linking the Father and the Son.
This was one of the NT titles for YHWH which was used of Caesar. The Caesars of Paul's day claimed to be "Lord," "Savior," even "divine." Christians reserved these titles uniquely for Jesus and because of this they were seen as traitors by the Roman government and society and were persecuted and died by the thousands in the first and second centuries. See full note at 2Ti_1:10.
▣ "Christ" See hyperlink following.
hyperlink
▣ "our hope" See hyperlink at Tit_1:2.