1 Timothy 1:1-2

Timothy, like Titus, was a man so dear to Paul that he called him my true son.  This was not flattery; he had a relationship, especially with Timothy, which was the best father-son relationship imaginable.  Let’s consider these men.

v Paul, the Apostle, v1.

Though apostle was a term that might be used in the sense of anyone sent in someone else’s name, Paul uses it in the special sense of those authorized by Christ.  The Twelve had been chosen by Christ because they were eyewitnesses of His life and resurrection (Mk. 3:13-15; Ac. 1:21-22; 1 John 1:1-4).  They saw His majesty (2 Pet. 1:16) and His glory (Jn. 1:14).  Paul never lost sight of the fact that it was God’s mercy and grace that had brought him to this office, not as one of the Twelve but as one born out of due time (1 Cor. 15:8-11).  And he also never let this fact diminish what he was chosen to be and do.  He reluctantly argued for his apostolic authority with the Corinthians (2 Cor. 10-12).  He reminded the Ephesian believers of the dispensation of the grace of God that had been given to him so they could appreciate their position in the Body of Christ (Eph. 3).  Like the Twelve who were promised the ability of the Holy Spirit to perfectly remember the words of Christ (John 16:13-15), so Paul was given a message from Christ (the mystery of Christ, Eph. 3:4; cf. 1 Cor. 4:1) and the authority to confirm that message with miracles, signs and wonders (Heb. 2:3-4).  Perhaps, for the sake of those Timothy was called to serve, Paul mentions that his Apostleship rested in the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Commandment in Greek carries the idea of authorization; he had authority to speak for the Godhead.  We, and the churches we attend, ought to be committed to the words of Paul because HE SPOKE FOR GOD!

v Timothy, the true son, v2.

Timothy is such a special young man.  Apparently his father was not a believer (Ac. 16:1-2), he came to know Christ by the blessing of his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5).  To be called Paul’s true son in the faith means he was not illegitimate: he was a true believer and respected Paul as a father.  Though Timothy was apparently a timid man by personality (2 Tim. 1:6-8), still Paul had been able to send him to some difficult situations, such as at Corinth, and into some potentially intimidating situations, such as Ephesus where he was when this letter was received.  He was remarkable in this as Paul’s description of him in Phil. 2:19-22 indicates: I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.  For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.  But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.  Wow!  Our churches not only need a commitment to the words of the apostle; we need a commitment to the attitude and ministry style of Timothy.  He truly had the mind … which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5).