2 TIMOTHY

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.

a. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God: Paul’s introduction here is like his other letters, with an immediate recognition that he is an apostle according to the will of God, not according to the ambition or whim of man.

Before the apostle reaches the principal theme of this chapter, the charge to Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel but rather to guard it safely (verses 8–14),

he begins his letter with the customary personal greeting (1, 2), followed by a thanksgiving (3–5) and an exhortation (6–8).

Before the apostle reaches the principal theme of this chapter, the charge to Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel but rather to guard it safely (verses 8–14), he begins his letter with the customary personal greeting (1, 2), followed by a thanksgiving (3–5) and an exhortation (6–8). In this opening paragraph we are introduced in a very vivid way to both Paul and Timothy, the writer and the recipient of the letter. In particular, we are told something of how each man had come to be what he was. These verses throw light on the providence of God, on how God fashions men into what he wants them to be.

In this opening paragraph we are introduced in a very vivid way to both Paul and Timothy, the writer and the recipient of the letter.

In particular, we are told something of how each man had come to be what he was. These verses throw light on the providence of God, on how God fashions men into what he wants them to be.

Paul had a role to play in God’s plan for reaching the world for Jesus Christ, and his role was apostle – a unique ambassador from God to the world. Everyone has their own role to play, and to fulfill it by the will of God.