Apostolic Greeting (II Timothy 1:1-5)

(Class Notes)

• Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, which is in accordance with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus (II Timothy 1:1)
  • Paul's apostleship was by the will of God and his gospel was from God (Galatians 1:1,11-12)
  • Both his apostleship and his gospel were distinct from that of Peter and both ministries (Paul's and Peter's) were of Divine origin (Galatians 2:7-8)
  • God's promise of life in Christ Jesus, which He made to Himself in eternity past (Titus 1:2) had come to fruition with the salvation of Saul, which is the Divine pattern (I Timothy 1:15) in this present evil age (Galatians 1:4)

• Paul calls Timothy his "dearly beloved son" and salutes him with grace, mercy, and peace from both God the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (II Timothy 1:2)
  • Paul makes reference to Timothy more than any other individual in his epistles:
    • By way of greeting - 7 times (Romans 16:21; II Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; I Thessalonians 1:1; II Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1)
    • By way of ministry and example - 6 times (I Corinthians 4:17; I Corinthians 16:10; II Corinthians 1:19; Philippians 2:19-22; I Thessalonians 3:2,6)
  • Paul begins ALL his epistles with grace and peace to his readers, which are the defining characteristics of this dispensation:
    • Grace (Ephesians 1:6-7; Ephesians 2:5,7-8; Ephesians 4:7,29)
    • Peace (Ephesians 2:14-15,17; Ephesians 4:3; Ephesians 6:15)
  • Paul adds mercy in his greeting to Timothy and Titus, because of their particular burden of being faithful ministers along with Paul's other faithful servants (II Corinthians 4:1 cf. Philippians 2:25-27; II Timothy 1:16-18)

• Paul served God from his forefathers with a pure conscience (II Timothy 1:3)
  • Prior to his conversion, he was "exceeding zealous" of the tradition of the fathers (Galatians 1:14) even though it was a zeal "NOT according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2)
  • After his conversion, he "declared" ONLY the "testimony of God" to his hearers so that their "faith" would "stand" in the "power of God" (I Corinthians 2:1-5)
  • Paul's conscience was based upon faithfulness to the Word of God in attitude (Romans 9:1-3), speech (II Corinthians 4:2), and life (II Corinthians 1:12)

• Paul faithfully remembered Timothy in prayer ("night and day") - his faithful son that he might see and have the joy of comforting him (II Timothy 1:3-4)
  • Paul was ALWAYS watchful for the spiritual well-being of the saints (Romans 1:9-12; Ephesians 1:15-19; Philippians 1:3-4,9-11; Colossians 1:3-4,9-11; I Thessalonians 1:2-3)
  • Prayer is the ONLY offensive weapon in the spiritual armor which God has provided for the saint (Ephesians 6:10-18)

• Paul encourages Timothy in his faith by recalling the influence of his godly lineage (II Timothy 1:5)
  • Parents have ALWAYS had a Divine accountability in the godly example they are to set BEFORE their children
    (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) cf. Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21)

Study Outline

Audio Message #1

Audio Message #2