1 Timothy 2:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore he said of himself that he was chosen also as teacher of the Gentiles. He was hinting that grace had been poured out everywhere in the world.

If He was born a perfect king, then it is clear that He is also judge and arbiter. The chief work of a king is to judge and decide, to reward and punish.

On the other hand, one can see that He has authority to bestow the highest honors. When we point to the man who is best among all men, and show that he is crowned by the Son, what pretext for defense will remain to you?

Who is the best of all men? Who else but that tentmaker, teacher of the universe, who flew as on wings over land and sea?

He is the chosen vessel, the bridegroom of Christ, the planter of the Church, the wise builder, the preacher, the swift traveler, the combatant, the soldier, and the instructor.

He left throughout the whole world memorials of his virtues. Before the resurrection he was caught up to the third heaven, taken into paradise, and counted worthy to share in the ineffable mysteries of God.

He heard and spoke things impossible for human nature to speak. He was counted worthy of the highest grace and accomplished greater labors.

If, then, the Son of God died for the Gentiles, and I am their teacher, you cannot refuse to pray for them.

"In faith and truth." See, again he says, "in faith." Not in syllogisms, he says, or logical demonstrations, but in faith.

Then, lest you think that there is deception in this, he added, "in truth." For what is handed down and taught in faith is not falsehood. On the contrary, it is handed down in truth.

"The Apostle said of himself that he was chosen as teacher of the Gentiles, hinting that now grace had been poured out everywhere in the world," says St. John Chrysostom.

"Since Christ suffered for the Gentiles, and I, Paul, have been chosen as teacher of the Gentiles, why do you not pray for them?

"Do you see the grace poured out abundantly? Among the Jews prayers were not said for them, but now grace has stretched forth even to them."

Raising the question why the Apostle inserted into the statement about his appointment the confirming words, "I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie," Bishop Theophan says, among other things:

"One may suppose that the Apostle, when writing this, had the Ephesians in view, for not all of them had yet believed. For such people, these words placed the seal of divine authority on what he said.

"It is worth noting that this assurance refers to the fact that he had been appointed Apostle and teacher of the Gentiles.

"This could not but be pleasing and attractive to the Gentiles, of whom the Ephesian Church chiefly consisted. It could not fail to act consolingly upon their faith.

"Resting in this faith, they could stand without wavering against doubts blown in from outside by the pagan vain wisdom that was spreading in Ephesus."

It is especially necessary to pray for the king and the authorities, that God may strengthen them against every wicked and hostile attack. In this way Christians may lead a quiet life and not appear as opponents of the existing order.

By offering prayers for the king, who may even be hostile to them, Christians fulfill the will of God, living in piety. They also show themselves blameless before men, in chastity.

The Apostle also indicates the motives that should guide believers in this matter. First, such prayer is in itself something good, καλόν, because it bears witness to the truly Christian disposition of the one praying.

Second, it is pleasing to God. Third, God is one for all men, and the mediator between them and God is likewise one, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for all men and made salvation possible for all.

Therefore, for all men, whoever they may be, one may pray in the hope that this prayer is not contrary to God and will not remain fruitless. Paul himself was appointed herald to proclaim this all-embracing love of God.

Having arranged the wondrous manner of salvation for all in the incarnate divine economy, in the death on the Cross of the Incarnate One, He did not allow it to remain unknown. He chose a special preacher of it and sent him into the whole universe to teach the Gentiles to believe in it.

Chrysostom sees precisely this motive in the Apostle's mention of his appointment. He says: "The Apostle said of himself that he was chosen as teacher of the nations, hinting that now grace has been poured out everywhere in the universe."

He also connects this exhortation with the command to pray for the Gentiles: "Since Christ suffered for the Gentiles, and I have been chosen as teacher of the nations, why do you not pray for them?

Do you see grace poured out abundantly? Among the Jews, prayers were not offered for them, but now grace has extended even to them."

In the words "preacher," "Apostle," and "teacher," our interpreters observe a certain progression, though the work was one. Blessed Theophylact writes: "I have been appointed preacher of this testimony, to preach concerning it, that is, concerning the Cross and death of Christ the Lord.

And I have not been appointed simply as a preacher, to preach in one place, but also as an Apostle, an envoy, so as to go everywhere with the preaching."

Oecumenius completes this: "Since one can preach even in passing, he added, teacher. He says: I was not content to deliver a single sermon, but taught persistently until I had instructed them.

By this I showed God's special care for the Gentiles."

Why did the Apostle insert into the speech about his appointment the words of assurance: "I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie"? Saint Timothy was Saint Paul's beloved disciple and knew everything. Therefore there was no need to speak so for his assurance.

But the Apostle could have said this with the implied phrase, as you know. He may have said it for the same reason that people living soul to soul sometimes repeat to one another what they know and have already repeated several times.

It is pleasant to remember and recount such things. Yet one may also suppose that, when writing this, the Apostle had the Ephesians in mind. Saint Timothy, of course, was not to hide the Epistle from them.

It was by no means superfluous to say this to the Ephesians, for not all of them had yet believed. Among those who had believed, not all had been converted by Saint Paul, and many believed after him.

For such people these words placed the seal of divine authority: for some, upon truths already believed, and for others, upon truths offered for faith.

It is worth noting that this assurance does not refer to Saint Paul's having been appointed an Apostle in general, but to his having been appointed Apostle and teacher specifically of the Gentiles.

This could not fail to be pleasant and attractive to the Gentiles, of whom the Church of Ephesus chiefly consisted. It could not fail to act soothingly upon their faith.

Resting in this faith, they could stand without wavering against doubts blown in from outside by the pagan vain wisdom widely spread in Ephesus.

The words "in faith and truth" indicate either the subject of preaching and teaching: I am teacher of the nations, appointed to teach them faith and truth (see Ambrosiaster). Or they indicate the character of the teaching.

I do not teach speculation, but faith. I do not prove my teaching by speculations, but offer it to faith, assuring that it is true.

"I preach, not armed with syllogisms or logical demonstrations, and not clothing my teaching in rhetorical subtlety, but offering it to faith. Yet lest anyone think some deception is offered for belief, he added: in truth.

Although I offer it to faith, what is offered is true. What is taught, though taught to faith, is taught in truth. Those capable of faith believe, and by this the power of the preaching is proved" (paraphrase from Chrysostom, blessed Theophylact, and Oecumenius).

Blessed Theodoret writes: "Of this mystery, that is, the salvation of all by the death of the Lord on the Cross, I have been appointed preacher and Apostle, says Paul. I offer it to all with fitting faith and truth, because I confirm the words by wonderworking."

The thought is the same as was set forth above, with a certain nuance. The teaching is not only faithful and true, but also attested. I also present documents of attestation.