The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Timothy — Section 34

Vers.1-11.-Introduction. 1. 8,m,der. "Paul, an e.postle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our Hope." It is usual for Pe.ul to begin his letters by taking the designation of apostle. He thus claimed to write, e.nd to order ecclesiastical e.ffairs, under infallible direction. In thus writing to Timothy, who had no specie.I need of being reminded of his authority, he would seem to give e.n official character to the letter. While he claimed authority, it was, e.t the same time, e.s himself belonging to Christ Jesus. Not satisfied with stating to whom he belonged in the authority he exercised, he further traces his apostleship, not, as in previous Epistles, up to its primal source in the will of God, but more immediately to the command111fflt of God or actual appointment e.fter his conversion. He received his appointment from God our Saviour-a designation of God which in the New Testament is pecuUar to the pastoral Epistles. It is introduced here e.s carrying with it the obligation on the part of Pe.ul and Timothy to be the bearers of the Divine salvation to their fellow-men. He also received his appointment from Christ Jesus, whom he thus, the second time in the short spe.ce, introduces. By Christ, as acting for God, all Bppointments e.re made. The seven stars, i.e. Christian ministers, e.re held by him in his right hand; and he baa the whole ordering of their locality e.nd time of service. In this second introduction of his ne.me he is designated our Hope, i.e. he from whom the appointed have their reward, and in whom it subsists. 2. To whom addressed. "Unto Timothy, my true child in faith." Not according to the flesh, but in the sphere of faith, we.s Timothy his child. Thus he is accustomed to regard his converts; he is both father and mother to them. We may, therefore, conclude the.t Timothy, though of godly parentage and with godly influences working efficaciously in him, owed it to Pe.ul's instrum~ntality that he was converkd to Christianity. lt waa in Lystra, a city of LycBoni:t, on Paul's second visit, that Timothy joined him as his assistant. He was his true child, not only in bia being bia convert, but in his he.ving the evidence of that in hi~ being qfter the sa111tJ ,tamp -like-minded. as he is called in Phil. ii. 20; one who seemed instinctively to enter  THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. [ou. 1. 1-20.