Read & explore together
Paul’s Greeting to Timothy
These opening words begin the letter by showing how Paul identifies himself, who receives the letter, and how the greeting centres on God, Christ Jesus, and God’s promise of life. Even in two verses, the focus is clear and purposeful.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage is the letter’s greeting. Paul names himself as ‘an apostle of Jesus Christ’ and says this is ‘through the will of God’. He writes to Timothy, calls him ‘my beloved child’, and gives a greeting of grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy 1:1–2Main takeaway
This greeting presents Paul’s role, Timothy as beloved, and the letter’s opening words as centred on God’s promised life in Christ Jesus and on grace, mercy, and peace from God.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul identifies himselfPaul begins by naming himself and calling himself ‘an apostle of Jesus Christ’. He also says this is ‘through the will of God’.
Explanation
Paul begins by naming himself and calling himself ‘an apostle of Jesus Christ’. He also says this is ‘through the will of God’. These words show how Paul describes his role at the start of the letter and place that role in relation to God’s will.
02Paul links his role with God’s promiseVerse 1 continues with the words ‘according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus’.
Explanation
Verse 1 continues with the words ‘according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus’. This connects Paul’s opening description of himself with God’s promise. The life Paul mentions is described as being ‘in Christ Jesus’, so Christ Jesus is central from the first verse.
03Timothy is named with affectionPaul addresses the letter ‘to Timothy, my beloved child’. The greeting is personal as well as formal.
Explanation
Paul addresses the letter ‘to Timothy, my beloved child’. The greeting is personal as well as formal. These words clearly show affection in the way Paul speaks to Timothy. The verse does not explain more here, but it does show that Timothy is beloved to Paul.
04Grace, mercy, and peace are named from GodPaul writes, ‘Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.’ He names three gifts in the greeting and states their source.
Explanation
Paul writes, ‘Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.’ He names three gifts in the greeting and states their source. The words direct attention to God the Father and to Christ Jesus our Lord as Paul opens the letter to Timothy.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does Paul describe his role at the start of the letter?
Look for the exact words Paul uses about himself and the phrase that says how this is so.
02What promise is mentioned in verse 1, and where is that life said to be?
Read the final part of 2 Timothy 1:1 and notice both the promise and the location of that life.
03What does Paul give to Timothy in his greeting, and from whom does he say it comes?
Read 2 Timothy 1:2 and list the three words of greeting together with their source.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Timothy 1:1–2
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.