Paul and Timothy
life in Christ Jesus.
The expression “apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God” has been taken over from 2 Cor. 1:1 (see 1 Cor. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Eph. 1:1). Among the Pastoral Epistles only 2 Timothy speaks of God’s will. Paul had appropriated the idea of “God’s will” from Jewish piety. In using the idea, the Pastor shows his dependence on Paul and echoes Paul’s conviction that his apostolate was intended by God and originated from God. The will of God determined the shape of Paul’s life and work as an apostle of Christ Jesus. When Paul placed the title “Christ” before the name “Jesus” in the salutation of 2 Corinthians, he emphasized the death and resurrection of Jesus. He may even have intended to evoke (Jewish) messianic expectations
Why not? Well, because ‘cowardliness has nothing to do with Christianity’. Or, as Paul expresses it, because of the Spirit God has given us. Notice that, though a particular spiritual gift was given to ‘you’, Timothy, the gift of the Spirit himself has been given to us, to all of us who are in Christ. And this Spirit God has given to us all is a Spirit not of ‘timidity’ but of ‘power and love and self-control’. Since he is the Spirit of power we may be confident of his enabling as we exercise our ministry. Since he is the Spirit of love we must use God’s authority and power in serving others, not in self-assertion or vainglory. And since he is the Spirit of self-control we must use them with seemly reverence and restraint.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child: