2 Timothy 1:1-2

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

² To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus Christ (v.1) — the order of the names points to Him as one who was on earth but was then exalted; rejected of men and then glorified; a testimony to His resurrection

by the will of God (v.1) — Paul was an active enemy of Jesus Christ when God chose him to be an apostle (1 Timothy 1:12-13)

will (v.1) = thelema, a desire that comes from the emotional nature — as opposed to boule, a desire that comes from a rational process

promise of life (v.1) — with the promise goes the provision for its proclamation, which is the purpose of Paul’s ministry — a promise of God to Himself (v.9) — In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior (Titus 1:2-3).

Christ Jesus (v.1) — the order of the names points to Him as one who was in glory with the Father and them emptied Himself and endured suffering and death; a testimony to His pre-existence

The apostle’s reference to “the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus” is dealt with more fully in Titus 1, though Timothy doubtless understood it. In Titus 1:2 he declares that this promise of “eternal life” was made by “God, who cannot lie” and that He made this promise “before the world began.” Clearly, He made this promise to Himself, and this is the “eternal purpose” of which the apostle has so much to say. This promise of life was, of course, vested “in Christ Jesus,” who was to pay the death penalty for all so that eternal life might be offered to all by grace. Thus in the 9th verse of this very chapter we read that: “[God] hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and [His own] grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

It is significant that in both passages the apostle declares that it was given specifically to him to proclaim this glad news. Note:

But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior (Titus 1:3).

But now is made manifest … Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles (2 Timothy 1:10-11).

What light this sheds on Paul’s opening declaration here in 2 Timothy 1, that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus. — Stam, page 146.

son (v.2) = lit. “born one,” child — a term of affection, even among adults — Paul led Timothy to the Lord — see 1 Timothy 1:2.

grace, mercy and peace (v.2) — see 1 Timothy 1:2 where Paul uses the same greeting