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

Immediately, at the very beginning, he encourages his soul. Do not point me, he says, to the afflictions here. They procure for us eternal life, where there is none of this, where there is no sickness, sorrow, or sighing.

God did not make us Apostles, he says, merely that we should be exposed to dangers, but also that we should die and endure this as well. Yet the mention of his own afflictions was not only no consolation, but even increased the grief. Therefore, at the very beginning, he offers this consolation: “according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus.”

If it is a promise, then do not seek it here, “for if one sees, why does he still hope?” (Rom 8:24).

Immediately, at the very beginning, he encourages the soul. Do not point me, he says, to the afflictions here. They bring us eternal life. We became apostles in order to die and to live eternally. Lest Timothy be more grieved instead of consoled when he hears that his teacher is in danger, he comforts him with this at the beginning. If life is a promise, then do not seek it here. This is life in Christ Jesus, that is, with Christ, because He gives it to us and sustains it. For bodily life consists in foods and drinks, but spiritual life is sustained in Christ. He is everything for us.

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, Who was well pleased concerning me, and according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, since He was well pleased to be preached through me.

Not every son is beloved. Sometimes coarseness of character in children extinguishes even natural tenderness. But Timothy, valiant in all things, was made both a son and beloved not by nature, but by the heart. The words “according to the promise of life” should be understood thus: “The Master, God, by the consent also of the Son, appointed me,” Paul says, “as an Apostle, so that I might preach to men the promised eternal life.”

“Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ.” A servant of Christ, sent by Him. “By the will of God.” By the good pleasure also of the Father concerning this, for the Son has one will with the Father. “According to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.” For the sake of the promise of life granted through Christ to those who believe in Him. I have been sent, says the Apostle, to preach the promised life to men. Or else: I became an Apostle and took upon myself such great labor for the sake of the eternal and blessed life promised to the Apostles. By this beginning and by pointing to the benefit of apostolic labor, he intended to encourage Timothy.

“According to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.” To his customary title of Apostle by the will of God, Saint Paul here adds these words to show the purpose of his apostolic calling. It consists in preaching to men the promised life granted by Jesus Christ.

A sequential exegetical analysis of the Epistle.

In the Second Epistle to Timothy, the following distinct parts are visibly observed. There is an introduction with inscription and greeting, and with an indication of the chief subject of the Epistle (2 Tim 1:1-6). There is an instructive part, which speaks of pastoral activity, and Saint Timothy is encouraged to fulfill it properly in all its parts (2 Tim 1:7-4:8). There is an afterword, containing the personal motives of the holy Apostle Paul for writing the Epistle (2 Tim 4:9-22).

The inscription of the Epistle and the Apostle Paul’s greeting to Timothy appear ordinary, yet they are also distinct from the others. The likeness consists in this: Paul calls himself an Apostle and imparts to Timothy the highest Christian gifts, grace, mercy, and peace.

The difference consists in this: he mentions the special will of God in all this, and says that he does it by virtue of the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus. By this he immediately encourages Timothy, showing him that all his temporal sufferings are nothing in comparison with what, according to the promise, has been prepared for him in the future life, as a beloved son and co-heir in Christ.

After the greeting, in which the Apostle calls himself an apostle summoned to proclaim life in Christ, “an apostle according to the promise of life,” Saint Paul says that he always remembers Timothy, his true friend, with thanksgiving to God. He greatly desires to see him, for Timothy’s presence will bring the Apostle true joy. At the same time, the Apostle always remembers Timothy’s unfeigned faith, inherited from his grandmother and mother.

The inscription is like all the others. It indicates who writes and to whom he writes. As is usual with Saint Paul, it contains certain terms prompted by the content of the Epistle and inserted to foreshadow it.

“An Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.” By the will of God the Father, he is Apostle of the incarnate Son of God, according to Their unity of will. The Father does not have one will and the Son another, but one and the same will. Therefore what the Father wills, the Son also wills. “The Master, God, set me forth (προεβαλετο) as an Apostle. Christ Jesus also consented with Him to this (συμψηφισαμενου)” (Oecumenius).