PROPOSITION: THE WRITER WHO HAS A FULL AUTHORITY FROM GOD AND WITH A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD CAN WRITES A LETTER TO THE CHURCH TO BECOME A PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH.

We must always remember that the big issue is not what we want in the church, but what God wants in His church. The way God wants His church run is not necessarily the same as the way we want the church run.

I – SENDING INSPIRED WRITER OF THE LETTER – v.1

Here we can identify who is the writer of this letter.

I Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”

I Timoteo 1:1 “Si Pablo, na apostol ni Cristo Jesus ayon sa utos ng Diyos na ating Tagapagligtas, at ni Cristo Jesus na ating pag-asa,” FILIPINO VERSION

Let us know about the writer of this first epistle to Timothy.

Paul was the writer of the letter that was clearly evident from the very first word of the text. Paul has written all things he would have needed to write to Timothy. The interest of Timothy has been captured enough by the form of the letter “Paul, to Timothy.” If Paul would have just said that, this epistle letter of Paul would have immediately sensed by Timothy that it was valuable and inspired. As a matter of fact, Paul and Timothy worked together with approximately 15 years, the events somewhere near A.D. 50 (Acts 16).

How Paul identifies himself as the writer of the epistles to Timothy:

A. CALLED AS AN APOSTLE – v.1a

We can see here that Paul identifies himself as an apostle.

I Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle”

I Timoteo 1:1 “Si Pablo, na apostol” FILIPINO VERSION

Paul emphasizes the highest ranked gift that he holds in the New Testament as he used the term “apostle” (I Corinthians 12:28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles”; Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers”). Paul as he writes this epistle proves that he has been fully called and commissioned by God as an Apostle. Paul defends his apostleship towards those accusers who believe he is not an apostle.

There are Reasons why Paul identifies himself as an apostle:

1. Timothy needed to think of the authoritative letter from God

Paul identifies himself as an apostle because Paul wanted Timothy to know that this was an authoritative letter from God.

As an Apostle, Paul outranked Timothy and even though Timothy was his special friend and co-worker, Paul wanted Timothy to realize that this epistle was not just one friendship letter but instead Paul wanted Timothy to realize that this letter was authoritative from God.

Paul views himself in various ways after he identifies himself as an Apostle:

1. Paul views himself as directly appointed and authorized by Jesus Christ

2. Paul views himself as an eyewitness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ

3. Paul views himself as an apostle who held a foundational gift for the church of Jesus Christ

4. Paul views himself as an apostle who is first in leadership and authority for the church of Jesus Christ.

Timothy needed to realize or think that this is not just a substitute for a friendly letter, even though it appears very gentle and warm like as a friend truly writing to a friend. However, this letter of Paul to Timothy rises above the writings of a purely human level of approach. Paul is the writer, and is a friend but also an apostle of Jesus Christ and Timothy should think that the letter was an authoritative letter from God.

We must consider seriously that getting the church on the right track was not just some friendly suggestion. It was an assignment with authority from God. It is clear that when Paul identifies himself as “an apostle” to Timothy it must be understood that intimacy with a friend will never replace the authority from God. Paul’s calling as an apostle is above his friendship with Timothy. Paul’s authority from God as an apostle made his letter to Timothy authoritative, which Timothy needs to think of.

2, Timothy needed to teach the letter with apostolic authority from God.

Paul identifies himself as an apostle because Paul wanted Timothy to teach all these things that he has written with apostolic authority.

Paul wanted Timothy to take and teach very seriously to the church this epistle of Paul (I Timothy 1:3 “that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”; I Timothy 4:6,11,13,16 “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.¹¹These things command and teach. ¹³Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. ¹⁶Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”; I Timothy 5:7 “And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless; I Timothy 6:17 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”).

We must not always forget that church life is not to be conducted or governed by the emotional or the sensational, but by the Biblical teachings and perspective. The authority in the church for what we believe and what we live and how we in the church are organized must always be based in the authoritative Word of God, which is our final authority, and not according to the human founder’s false heretical doctrine of religious groups with mixtures of dreams and visions, miraculous deceiving power of darkness, and man’s prophetical claims based on founder’s literatures. That is why, Paul identifies himself as an apostle because it is very important for Paul that Timothy need to teach all these things that he has written with apostolic authority from God.

B. CHOSEN SENT SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST AS AN APOSTLE – v.1b

Not only Paul identifies himself as a called Apostle but also Paul identifies himself as a Chosen servant of Jesus Christ.

I Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ”

I Timoteo 1:1 “Si Pablo, na apostol ni Cristo Jesus” FILIPINO VERSION

Notice the opening words “an apostle of Jesus Christ.” Paul writes to Timothy that he was sent by Jesus Christ as His servant. Thus, we see in this epistle to Timothy, that the use of this official title “an apostle of Jesus Christ” is an indication that the Pastoral Epistles were not merely private letters for this is not a private letter to Timothy but a public Church document for all time as were intended to be read to the Churches committed to the charge of Timothy.

Paul designates himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ” in an official letter but in his personal letter to Philemon, Paul designates himself as “a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” Philemon 1:1 “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,”

The title “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ”; means Paul was immediately sent by Jesus Christ, not primarily one belonging to Christ, but sent by his voice from heaven (Act 9:15 “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:”), though not by his voice upon earth as those, whom Jesus instructed the twelve disciples for service in Matthew 10:1-42.

Twice in this verse, uses the word order “Christ Jesus” (NASB, ESV, ASV, NLT, NIV, etc.) or “Jesus Christ” (KJV, NKJV, YLT, etc.)

1. Some comments that the order “Christ Jesus” is very important to Pauline thought and doctrine.

But here are some of the Pauline letters that used Jesus Christ instead of Christ Jesus. Notice this depends on the version not depends on the writer. There is only one and the same writer, Apostle Paul, but the versions vary in the salutation.

Pauline Letters:

Romans 1:1 “a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle” (KJV, ASV, NKJV, RSV)

I Corinthians 1:1 “an apostle of Jesus Christ” (KJV, NASB, NKJV, ASV)

II Corinthians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (KJV, NKJV)

Ephesians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (KJV, NKJV)

Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle...but by Jesus Christ” (KJV, NLT); “Paul, an apostle…but through Jesus Christ” (NASB; ESV, NKJV, ASV)

Colossians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (KJV, NASB, NKJV).

The order of the word “Jesus Christ” was used by the versions who uses the order of the word “Christ Jesus” in other Pauline salutation texts.

Pastoral Letters:

I Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (KJV, NKJV)

II Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (KJV, NKJV)

Titus 1:1 “an apostle of Jesus Christ” (KJV, NASB, ESV, NKJV, NLT, NIV, ASV)

The order of the word “Christ Jesus” was not use in Titus 1:1 by other versions who used the order of the word “Christ Jesus” in I Timothy 1:1.

2. Some comments that Jesus is the name which refers to the fact the Lord is the Savior while Christ is the name that refers to the fact that He is the Messiah.

But the order: Christ (the Messiah) Jesus (the Savior) and Jesus (the Savior) Christ (the Messiah) means Christ the Savior or the Savior is Christ. Is there any problem? Nothing. The Christ the Messiah is the Jesus the Savior or Jesus is the Savior who is Christ the Messiah. Therefore, both the order of the word Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus, both gives the same and true Identification of our Lord, who is the second person of the Trinity, the only begotten Son of God, who is the Jewish Messiah, the King of the Jews and He is our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!

3. Some comments that the word order “Christ Jesus” suggests that Paul wanted to remind Timothy that the program of God was first Jewish, then Gentile.

But in the book of Matthew, Matthew was well known for his Jewish and Messianic style of writing, uses the importance of the word “Jesus” without Christ as recorded in Matthew 1:25 “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.”

Now listen carefully, the difference in the use “Jesus Christ” and “Christ Jesus” seems to be this:

1. In case the first member of the compound name indicates whether the historical or the notional idea of the Person is chiefly in the mind of the writer.

A.) The use of “Jesus Christ” briefly expresses the proposition, “Jesus is the Christ” embodies the first theological

assertion concerning Jesus. The proposition “Jesus is the Christ” represents the conception of the historical Jesus in the minds of those who had seen Him. The Apostle Peter, the Apostle James, and the Apostle John use this name “Jesus Christ” when speaking of our Lord.

B.) But the word “Christ Jesus”, on the other hand, the theological conception predominates over that of the actual Jesus who had been seen, felt and heard by human senses. Accordingly, we find “Christ Jesus” in every stage of the Pauline Epistles, and as we should expect more frequently in the later than in the earlier letters of Paul.

2. In almost every instance of the occurrence of the word “Jesus Christ” in the Pastoral Epistles the thought of the passage concerns the humanity, or historical aspect, of our Lord. Thus, in another Paul’s Pastoral letter to Titus, he writes in Titus 1:1 “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,” we could not substitute “Christ Jesus” without weakening the antithesis. Paul here as elsewhere, claims to have been as truly sent by Christ as were those who were apostles before him.

C. COMMANDED BY GOD AS AN APOSTLE – v.1c

Paul also identifies himself as an apostle by commandment of God.

I Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God”

I Timoteo 1:1 “Si Pablo, na apostol ni Cristo Jesus ayon sa utos ng Diyos” FILIPINO VERSION

Notice the following words after Paul introduces himself as servant of Jesus Christ, he says in verse 1 “by the commandment of God.” This is the authoritative injunction [in Greek, epitageen (G2003)], not only Paul was commanded by God as an apostle but he was as well as commissions of God. In the earlier letters, Paul introduces himself as an Apostle of Jesus Christ “by the will of God” (I Corinthians 1:1 “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God”; II Corinthians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”; Ephesians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”; Colossians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”).

Here the phrase in verse 1 “by the commandment of God” implies a necessity laid on him to act as an apostle, not a matter of option. The same expression occurs in the doxology written by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:26 “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” When Paul used the word “commandment”, it is a word that speaks of a divine command with all and full authority of God. Paul emphasizing that his apostleship was not due to his personal desire, goals or aspirations, neither was it due to his theological training in bible school or his effectivity as missionary church planter who pioneered many churches but Paul was an apostle only because God commanded it. That was according to the commandment (as Titus 1:3 “according to the commandment of God our Saviour;”) this expresses the same truth, but possibly with a more direct reference to the command, "Separate me Paul and Barnabas," recorded in Acts 13:2.

Again in verse 1, Paul said that he being sent as an Apostle of Jesus Christ is by the commandment of “God our Saviour.” The phrase “God our Saviour.” Refers to the heavenly Father (1 Timothy 2:3 “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior”; 1 Timothy 4:10 “the living God, who is the Savior of all men”; Luke 1:47 “And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”; Titus 1:3 “preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;”; Titus 2:10 “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”; Titus 3:4 “the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,”; Jude 1:25 “To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen”). This phrase “God our Saviour” is a Jewish expression in devotion, from the Old Testament and we can see that in Israel’s rebelliousness in (Psalms 106:21 “They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;”) So, Paul introduced himself as the Apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God the Father and by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now Paul says in verse 1, the “Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope” It means that the Lord Jesus Christ is the object, substance, and foundation of our hope (Colossians 1:27 “Christ in you, the hope of glory”; Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began”; Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”).

To sum up the full phrase “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ,” In the obedience of the command, Paul refers the originating cause of his mission to the will of God. Paul would hardly say through the will of Christ, being used of the eternal counsel of the Godhead; but inasmuch as the command is the consequent of the will, Paul can speak of his apostleship as being due to the command of Christ Jesus, as well as of God the Father. In this matter Jesus Christ is coordinated with God the Father in Galatians 1:1; while in Romans 1:4-5, Paul’s apostleship is “through Jesus Christ our Lord” only. Then in Titus 1:3, Paul says he was entrusted with the message “according to the commandment of God our Saviour”.

Notice carefully only God can save you, Paul said “God our Saviour”, You cannot and we cannot save ourselves.

Notice also Jesus Christ is God, as Paul said “God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ”. Not only it talks about God the Father our Savior but also God the Son as our Savior, both involved in divine plan of redemption.

Notice the phrase, “which is our hope” If you are putting your hope in Jesus Christ for your salvation, you are saved. If you put your faith on the finish redemptive work of Christ, thou shalt be saved. Amen!

---Continuation---Part 2

II – SON IN THE FAITH IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE LETTER – v.2a

This time we will know the recipient of the letter.

I Timothy 1:2 “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith”

I Timoteo 1:2 “Kay Timoteo na aking tunay na anak sa pananampalataya.” FILIPINO VERSION

Paul writes “my own son”. The word “my own” in Greek (gneesioo (G1103, in English Genuine) so it means genuine son. It was translated “my true child in the faith” (NASB, ESV, ASV), “my true son in the faith” (NLT), “a true son in the faith” (NKJV). The word “my true” or “my own”, Paul viewed Timothy as his genuine son. This has reference to a spiritual son-ship, not a physical son-ship. Timothy was a genuine spiritual son in the faith of the Apostle Paul.

Things to know about Timothy as the recipient of the letter:

1. Timothy came originally from Lystra – Acts 16:1a

Acts 16:1a “Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus,”

2. Timothy was a special disciple from Lystra – Acts 16:1b

Acts 16:1b “a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus”

3. Timothy was the son of a believer, a Jewish mother – Acts 16:1c

Acts 16:1c “the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed”

4. Timothy was the son of an unbeliever, a Gentile father – Acts 16:1d

Acts 16:1d “but his father was a Greek”

5. Timothy came to know Christ by faith as a result of Paul’s evangelistic preaching ministry in Lystra

Acts 14:6-7 “They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe..⁷And there they preached the gospel.”

I Timothy 1:2 “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

I Corinthians 4:17 “I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.”

6. Timothy came to know Christ by faith after his grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice – II Timothy 1:5

II Timothy 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.”

7. Timothy was taught and learned the Scriptures from his youthful days – II Timothy 3:15

II Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,”

8. Timothy grew in his faith under the discipleship of the elders of the church – Acts 14:21-23

Acts 14:21-23 “when they had preached the gospel to that city,..they returned again to Lystra, ²²Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, ²³And when they had ordained them elders in every church,.”

9. Timothy was a man with a good reputation among many churches – Acts 16:2

Acts 16:2 “Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.”

10. Timothy was a man Paul specifically wanted to travel with him – Acts 16:3a

Acts 16:3a “Him would Paul have to go forth with him”

11. Timothy could be trusted with the ministry of Paul in his apostleship. – Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4-5

Acts 19:22 “So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus.”

Acts 20:4-5 “And there accompanied him into Asia…and Timotheus... ⁵These going before tarried for us at Troas.”

12. Timothy was Paul’s son in the faith – I Timothy 1:2; II Timothy 1:2; I Corinthians 4:11

I Timothy 1:2 “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith”

II Timothy 1:2 “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son”

I Corinthians 4:15 “for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.”

13. Timothy was circumcised personally by Paul – Acts 16:3b

Acts 16:3b “Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him”

There is a question, as to why Paul did circumcise Timothy, and did not circumcise Titus (Galatians 2:3). The reason is that Paul circumcised Timothy for the purpose of the ministry and Paul did not circumcise Titus for doctrinal purposes.

14. Timothy was a young man – I Timothy 4:12

I Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers”

When Paul wrote I Timothy, Timothy was about 30-35 years old, that is the time when Paul took Timothy with him during his second missionary journey about A.D. 50. Timothy must have been at least 20-25 years of age then. If Paul writes I Timothy at A.D. 63-64, therefore, it would be very possible that Timothy must be at least 33 years old.

15. Timothy was a spiritually gifted servant of God – I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6; I Timothy 1:18

I Timothy 4:14 “Neglect not the gift that is in thee”

II Timothy 1:6 “thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee.”

I Timothy 1:18 “I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee”

Paul and the elders of the church recognized the gift that is in Timothy according to I Timothy 4:14

16. Timothy was not a physically healthy man – I Timothy 5:23

I Timothy 5:23 “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.”

In his young age, Timothy is not physical healthy because he had frequent ailments. If a person has a lack of physical health does not mean that person has a lack of spiritually.

17. Timothy was a timid man – II Timothy 1:7

II Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

18. Timothy was at times, somewhat afraid and discouraged - I Corinthians 16:10-11; II Timothy 1:8

I Corinthians 16:10-11 “Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. ¹¹Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace.”

II Timothy 1:8 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner”

19. Timothy was a man who spent time in jail – Hebrews 13:23

Hebrews 13:23 “Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.”

20. Timothy could be trusted to straighten out various church problems in total apostolic fashion

I Corinthians 4:16-17 “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. ¹⁷For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.”

I Corinthians 16:10 “Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.”

Philippians 2:19-24 “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. ²⁰who will naturally care for your state. ²¹For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. ²²as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. ²³Him therefore I hope to send presently, ²⁴But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.”

I Timothy 1:3 “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”

21. Timothy was the last man Paul requested to see before his execution day comes – II Timothy 4:19, 21

II Timothy 4:19, 21 “Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. ²¹Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.”

22. Timothy is the only man in the Bible who have two letters addressed to him. – I and II Timothy

III – SALUTATION NEEDED BY THE MINISTER THROUGH THE LETTER – v.2b

Here we can notice the greeting or salutation of the Apostle Paul in this letter.

I Timothy 1:2b“Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

I Timoteo 1:2b “Biyaya, kahabagan, at kapayapaan mula sa Diyos Ama at kay Jesu-Cristo na Panginoon natin.” FILIPINO VERSION

Paul wishes grace and peace in his epistles to the churches. Ordinarily, “Grace unto you and peace.” (Romans 1:7 “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ”; I Corinthians 1:3 “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”, etc) Paul wishes grace and peace in his epistles to the churches.

Notice the apostle's triple salutation, Grace, mercy, and peace. Whenever Paul writes to a church, he wishes grace and peace; but to a minister he wishes grace, mercy, and peace. Ah! we want mercy more than the average of Christians; we have greater responsibilities; and, consequently, might more readily fall into greater sin, so to a minister Paul's salutation is, grace, mercy, and peace.

Notice the word in verse 2 “mercy”. It was added in addressing Timothy as a minister. To Timotheus Paul adds mercy, the most tender grace towards those who stand in need of it. The experience of this prepares a man to be a minister of the gospel.

In Galatians 6:16 "peace and mercy" occur. There are similarities between the letter to the Galatians and the pastoral letters; perhaps owing to his as he ministered at Galatia, as here in his letter to Timothy who was also minister, having, as a leading object, the correction of false teachers, especially as to the right and wrong use of the law (1 Timothy 1:9): also, owing to Galatians and the pastoral letters being written by Paul's own hand. “Mercy” is tender grace exercised toward the miserable, the experience of which in one’s own case especially fits for the MINISTRY. Paul speaks about himself in I Timothy 1:13-14 “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ¹⁴And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”; I Timothy 1:16 “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”; I Corinthians 7:25 “Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.”; II Corinthians 4:1 “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;”; Hebrews 2:17 “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Did you notice that Paul did not use “mercy” as to the churches, because “mercy” in all its fullness already existed toward the church, toward the believers; but in the case of an individual minister, fresh measures of mercy were continually needed. Paul sense of his need of “mercy” had deepened the older he grew. “Grace” refers to men’s sins; while “mercy” refers to their misery. God extends His grace to men as guilty; God extends His mercy to them as miserable.

Notice the last word “Jesus Christ.” In the Vulgate, read the order, “Christ Jesus.” In the pastoral letters “Christ” is often before “Jesus” to give prominence to the fulfillment of the Old Testament Messianic promises, well-known to Timothy in Jesus (II Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”).

The emphasis of this salutation of Paul here is on the fact that the minister already saved still has and needs the grace, mercy, and peace of God.

To the unsaved sinner, in order to be saved he needs Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9); he needs mercy (Titus 3:5), and he needs to be justified by faith to have the peace with God (Romans 5:1). This is where it all begins. The Christian life and the Christian church begin in “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” And this is where this letter of Paul to Timothy begins. These are great doctrines of the church.