2 Tim. 1:1-2,8-12; 2:1-10, Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus

There is a thought that many have that in the NT the references to “Jesus Christ” and to “Christ Jesus” are intentional.  I have a hard time denying that thought, even though none of the NT writers explained this.  My view of “verbal-plenary-inspiration” (every word inspired) says it makes sense.  On the one hand, putting “Christ” first refers to His heavenly calling.  Putting the earthly name “Jesus” first indicates an emphasis on His Incarnation. 

You can think about this.  All I want to share is what I noticed in my recent reading of 2 Timothy.  As I list each use I will also the Greek “case” (type of speech).  It will be either “genitive” or “dative.”  The Greek genitive case means the subject of the phrase has it’s origin in Him (1:1: apostle of Jesus Christ).  The Greek dative case means the subject is being attributed to Him (1:1: promise of life which is in Christ Jesus).  Here is a list with a few brief comments.

Jesus Christ

·       1:1: Paul an apostle of … (genitive; his ministry calling originated in the Incarnate One)

·       1:10: now the appearing of our Savior … (genitive; no Savior without the Incarnate/“appearing” Word)

·       2:3: endure as a good soldier of … (genitive; ministry in the Body of Christ rests in Jesus’ ministry; He gave the gifts after His ascension, Eph. 4:7-12)

·       2:8: remember Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, raised from the dead (accusative, it identifies the subject; Davidic line and resurrection are Incarnation realities)

·       4:1: the Judge of the living and the dead, our Judge, the one before whom we live our daily lives is the Lord … (genitive; I don’t remember any references to the “Lord Christ Jesus,” not that there might not be; His Lordship, and thus His Judgeship, is rooted in the finished work; cf. Phil. 2:5-11)

·       4:22: the Lord Jesus Christ be with you (nominative case, identifies a noun or pronoun; His presence with us was promised as we serve Him, Mt. 28:19-20, as we love Him and keep His word, Jn. 14:23; these and the promise of the indwelling Spirit came at the end of His earthly life and ministry)

Christ Jesus

·       1:1: according to the promise of life in … (dative; prior to Jesus’ appointment of Paul was a promise of life from God, a promise made by God that would be require the sending and giving of His Son).

·       1:2: grace, mercy and peace from … (genitive)

·       1:9: before time began God’s grace given to us in … (dative)

·       1:13: faith and love are in … (dative)

·       2:1: be strong in the grace that is in … (dative)

·       2:10: the elect obtain salvation which is in … (dative)

·       3:12: all will suffer persecution who desire to live godly in … (dative; our life is in Christ Jesus; check Col. 3:1-4 to see the significance of this)

·       3:15: faith for salvation is in … (dative; in Ch. 3 Paul speaks of very “earthly” things about Timothy and his salvation, but in the process he reminds Tim that who he is, is rooted in the One in heaven)

What is the purpose of all this?  It is to offer some meditation time on who we are and what we have IN CHRIST JESUS, as well as how we live our lives by the One who lives in us, who is the source of our life.  I hope you take the opportunity.