1 Timothy 1:1-7: A Message of Salvation and Service
Greetings from Paul
1 Timothy 1:1-2
The apostle Paul, an appointed messenger of Jesus Christ by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus, our hope, to Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
In this introductory passage, Paul addresses Timothy, his "true son in the faith." Paul's greeting emphasizes his apostolic authority, coming from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. The triad of "grace, mercy, and peace" is a hallmark of Paul's epistles, emphasizing the blessings Timothy will receive from God.
Paul's Thanksgiving and Prayer
1 Timothy 1:3-4
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work—which is by faith.
Paul expresses his gratitude for Timothy's faith and begins to address the purpose of his letter. He reminds Timothy to stay in Ephesus to correct false teachers who promote myths and genealogies, which lead to controversy rather than faith. Paul emphasizes the importance of advancing God's work, which is rooted in faith.
The Goal of the Command
1 Timothy 1:5-7
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully.
In this passage, Paul highlights the ultimate goal of his command: to promote love that stems from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. He contrasts this with those who engage in meaningless talk, seeking to be teachers of the law without understanding its purpose. Paul emphasizes the importance of using the law lawfully, acknowledging its goodness when applied correctly.
In this opening passage, Paul sets the tone for his letter to Timothy, emphasizing the importance of faith, love, and service. He lays the foundation for the rest of the epistle, which will address various aspects of Timothy's ministry and the challenges he faces in Ephesus.
