Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 1

Paul's Greeting to Timothy

2 Timothy 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. KJV

The Apostle Paul concluded his first letter to Brother Timothy urging him with deep, dire, but determined words to keep him walking in the truth of the Gospel of Christ and the Word of God. Paul due to his many imprisonments for preaching the Gospel of Christ probably did not know for certain if he would ever get another opportunity to instruct Timothy by way of letter, so he said all that he thought Timothy would need to hear from him to keep him grounded and rooted in 'the faith' once and for all handed down to the saints (Jude 1:3). Now in this second letter Paul is imprisoned for the last time before he will be executed by one of the devil's two-legged devils, so he wants to give Timothy some final encouragement as well as some final warnings to him of how his teachings will not be well received by all who are in the visible churches, however, Timothy (as well as we true believers today and of every era and generation)  must persist in staying true to Christ Gospel and His Word. Paul's greeting to Timothy in this second and last letter to him begins with these words, "Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus," (2 Timothy 1:1) (KJV). Paul was never one to boast or brag about his Apostleship, but when he knew that the letter would be read by others who had not met him face to face (like the believers in Rome) (Romans 1:10) he would assert and acknowledge himself as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, just as he does here in this second letter to Timothy knowing that many others whom he did not know on the earth would read it.

This little phrase 'an Apostle' (for those who don't know) is translated by the Greek word apostolos meaning a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (Apostle), (with miraculous powers): - Apostle, messenger, he that is sent. The little English word 'by' used here by Paul is translated by the Greek word dia which is a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act. The little English phrase 'the will' is translated by the Greek word thelēma meaning a determination (properly the thing), that is, (actively) choice (specifically purpose, decree; abstractly volition) or (passively) inclination: - desire, pleasure, will. In other words, Paul (whose name was Saul before his conversion) was not seeking this office of Apostleship nor was he even seeking salvation, but he was made a Christian by our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 9:3-6) and then appointed as an Apostle or sent one/messenger of Jesus Christ by or through the determined purpose, decree, and desire of God the Father alone. Paul began his greeting in this manner in eight of his other letters including the first letter he wrote to Brother Timothy. Paul had the authority of God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and worked miracles by the Power of the Holy Spirit which confirmed and proved his Apostleship to Timothy and to all the saints who were ever fortunate enough to be in his presence.

Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning Paul asserting his Apostleship at the beginning of this his second and last letter to Timothy and all the saints then, "St. Paul at once shows his office, the authority on which he held it, and the end for which it was given him. He was an Apostle - an extraordinary ambassador from heaven. He had his Apostleship by the will of God - according to the counsel and design of God’s infinite wisdom and goodness. And he was appointed that he might proclaim that eternal life which God had in view for mankind by the incarnation of his Son Jesus Christ, and which was the end of all the promises He had made to men, and the commandments He had delivered to all His prophets since the world began. The mention of this life was peculiarly proper in the Apostle, who had now the sentence of death in himself, and who knew that he must shortly seal the truth with his blood. His life was hidden with Christ in God; and he knew that, as soon as he should be absent from the body, he should be present with the Lord. With these words he both comforted himself and his son Timothy."

Paul now shows how much he loved, cared for and regarded Timothy by these words, "To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." (2 Timothy 1:2) (KJV). These words prove how the bond between true Christians is even greater than that of blood relatives because this bond is 'in Christ' and energized by our love and affection for our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ which is in the inner man and inner woman of every born again child of His as it is written by this same Apostle with these words, "Such hope never disappoints {or} deludes {or} shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us." (Romans 5:5) (Amplified Bible). The little English phrase 'my dearly beloved' is translated by the Greek word agapētos which means beloved: - (dearly, well) beloved, dear. Paul was not Timothy's earthly biological father, but to Paul Timothy was his spiritual son in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, for Paul considered himself to be Timothy's example in the faith and he regarded Timothy as a genuine (not fake or counterfeit) son, that is, a real born again Christian with real faith in Jesus Christ only. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning Paul referring to Timothy as his beloved son, "Not in a natural, but in a spiritual sense; and not on account of his being an instrument of his conversion, but by reason of that instruction in the doctrines of the Gospel which he gave him, it being usual to call disciples children; and he calls him so, because as a son, he, being young in years, served with him, and under him, as a father, in the Gospel of Christ; for whom he had a very great affection, on account of his having been a companion with him in his travels, and very useful to him in the ministry, and because of his singular and eminent gifts, great grace, religion, and holiness."

Paul begins this greeting to Timothy of grace, mercy, and peace to him just as he had ended his first letter to him with these same words. Again this English word 'grace' is translated by the Greek word charis meaning (as used here) especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude). The English word 'mercy' is translated by the Greek word eleos meaning (as used here) Divine compassion. The English word 'peace' is translated by the Greek word eirēnē meaning (as used here) peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity: - one, peace, quietness, and rest. The Apostle Paul wants God the Holy Spirit to influence Timothy's inner man making him at all times grateful to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ because of the great Divine compassion Timothy has been shown through regeneration (Titus 3:5) bringing about God's peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) giving Timothy and all we true believers today and of every era and generation rest in our souls. Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say concerning Paul's words of grace, mercy, and peace be to Timothy, "Christ’s Apostle pours his love and benediction over the young servant, and when such lips wish 'grace, mercy, and peace,' the wish is a prophecy as much as a prayer."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…