“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:1–2 (ESV)
“The chief point on which it turns is to confirm Timothy, both in the faith of the gospel, and in the pure and constant preaching of it. But yet these exhortations derive no small weight from the consideration of the time when he wrote them. Paul had before his eyes the death which he was prepared to endure for the testimony of the gospel. All that we read here, therefore, concerning the kingdom of Christ, the hope of eternal life, the Christian warfare, confidence in confessing Christ, and the certainty of doctrine, ought to be viewed by us as written not with ink but with Paul’s own blood; for nothing is asserted by him for which he does not offer the pledge of his death; and therefore, this Epistle may be regarded as a solemn subscription and ratification of Paul’s doctrine.” – John Calvin
Like all of his epistles, the Apostle Paul immediately identified himself as the author the Holy Spirit used to produce this inerrant and specific book of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Not only does Paul acknowledge he is the author, but also an apostle (ἀπόστολος; apostolos). This singular noun refers to Paul as a special messenger who was active in sharing the biblical Gospel.
Paul indicated he was an apostle of Christ Jesus (Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ; Christou Iesou). These two nouns emphasize Paul was an apostle solely belonging to Lord and who alone he served. Paul also clearly stated his apostleship was not based on his own will, but rather by the will of God. The phrase the will of God (θελήματος θεοῦ; thelematos theou) contains two genitive nouns. These refer to God’s sole originating sovereign purpose and desire for this man.
The apostle transitioned into a personal and heartfelt greeting to Timothy. Paul called Timothy my beloved child (ἀγαπητῷ τέκνῳ; agapeto tekno). This meant Paul’s personal, dear disciple. The word child is a term of endearment. It is word conveying sincere love and godly affection.
“Paul is addressing his letter “to Timothy (my) beloved child.” Cf. 2 Tim. 2:1; 3:14. As, in a secondary sense, a child owes his natural life to his earthly father, so Timothy owed his spiritual life to Paul (see p. 34). Moreover, as a child serves (with) his father, so Timothy served (with) Paul in the gospel. See Phil. 2:19–22, which passage also indicates why the apostle calls Timothy his beloved or dear (cf. 1 Tim. 1:2, “genuine”) child. Moreover, the term of endearment is natural on the lips of one who, facing death, in his mind and heart reviews his entire past association with the precious young friend and helper whose life had been mingled with his own in so many ways.”[1]
Paul then included his familiar salutation or welcome to his young protégé. The apostle invoked three words so aligned with his life and ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: grace, mercy and peace. Grace (χάρις; charis) is the unmerited favor of God alone where He gives the sinner what we do not deserve; salvation. Mercy (ἔλεος; eleos) is God’s compassion where He does not give the sinner what we do deserve; damnation. Peace (εἰρήνη; eirene) is the corresponding result of God’s grace and mercy to sinners. We have peace with God as our Savior and Lord and no longer our judge (Romans 5:1).
The apostle then concluded grace, mercy and peace are from both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. By the inspired and inerrant words of the Holy Spirit God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21) Paul affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity.
“Upon this “beloved child” Paul pronounces grace (unmerited pardoning and transforming favor), mercy (warm and tender affection shown to the one who is in a difficult situation), and that blessing which flows forth from grace and mercy just as a stream issues from a fountain, namely, the blessing of peace (the consciousness of having been reconciled to God through the accomplished mediatorial work of Christ). These gifts are regarded as having as their source “God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Father bestows them. The Son has earned them.”[2]
Having begun this essay with a quote from the Protestant Reformer John Calvin, I conclude it with the words from the same pastor and theologian of whom the church continues to benefit.
“Although, in all that Paul has left us in writing, we must consider that it is God who speaks to us by the mouth of a mortal man, and that all his doctrine ought to be received with such authority and reverence as if God visibly appeared from heaven, yet still there is in this epistle a special object to be kept in view, that Paul, being in prison and perceiving his death to be at hand, wished to ratify his faith, as if he had sealed it with his blood. So then, as often as we read this epistle, let the condition in which Paul was at that time come before our eyes, namely, that he was looking for nothing but to die for the testimony of the gospel (which he actually did) as its standard-bearer, in order to give us stronger assurance of his doctrine, and that will affect us in a livelier manner. Indeed, if we read this epistle carefully, we shall find that the Spirit of God has expressed himself in it in such a manner, with such majesty and power, that we are constrained to be captivated and overwhelmed. For my own part, I know that this epistle has been more profitable to me than any other book of Scripture, and still is profitable to me every day; and if any person shall examine it carefully, there can be no doubt that he will experience the same effect. And if we desire to have a testimony of the truth of God, which pierces our heart, we may well fix on this epistle; for a man must be in a profound sleep, and remarkably stupid, if God does not work in his soul, when he hears the doctrine that shall be drawn from it.” – John Calvin
The role of each believer in Jesus Christ is to proclaim the eternal life which is found in Christ Jesus alone (I Tim. 1:16). Let us be faithful to preach, teach and live this life for the glory of God. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 224.
[2] Ibid., 224.
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