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Paul’s Greeting to Timothy
These opening verses begin a personal letter with a clear Christian greeting. Paul introduces himself, addresses Timothy directly, and names blessings that come from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage stands at the start of the letter. Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Saviour and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope. He writes to Timothy, calls him his true child in faith, and speaks grace, mercy, and peace.
1 Timothy 1:1–2Main takeaway
This greeting introduces Paul, addresses Timothy in faith, and points to grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Follow the letter’s teaching
01Paul identifies himselfPaul begins by naming himself and calling himself an apostle of Jesus Christ. He says this is according to the commandment of God our Saviour and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope.
Explanation
Paul begins by naming himself and calling himself an apostle of Jesus Christ. He says this is according to the commandment of God our Saviour and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope. The verse presents Paul’s role together with the authority he names for it.
02God our Saviour and Christ our hopeIn the same verse, Paul speaks of God as our Saviour and of the Lord Jesus Christ as our hope.
Explanation
In the same verse, Paul speaks of God as our Saviour and of the Lord Jesus Christ as our hope. These are the exact descriptions used in the greeting. The verse does not explain them further here, but it places both God and Christ Jesus at the centre of the opening words.
03Timothy is named as the recipientPaul writes to Timothy and calls him my true child in faith. This is family language joined to faith.
Explanation
Paul writes to Timothy and calls him my true child in faith. This is family language joined to faith. The verse does not give extra details about Timothy here, but it does show that Paul addresses him in a relationship defined by faith.
04Grace, mercy, and peacePaul speaks grace, mercy, and peace to Timothy. He says these come from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Explanation
Paul speaks grace, mercy, and peace to Timothy. He says these come from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. The greeting names both the blessings and their source. It also describes God as Father and Christ Jesus as Lord in the opening of the letter.
Questions to explore
01What exact words does Paul use to explain his apostleship?
Read the phrase after 'apostle of Jesus Christ' and notice whose commandment Paul mentions.
02Which titles are given to God and to Christ Jesus in verse 1?
List the descriptions exactly as they appear in the verse.
03What blessing does Paul give Timothy, and from whom does he say it comes?
Look at verse 2 for both the three blessing words and the two persons named as their source.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Timothy 1:1–2
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope,
2to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.