1 Timothy 1:1

Berean Standard Bible

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

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The opening verse of Paul’s first epistle to Timothy, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,” serves as a concise yet theologically rich introduction to the letter, establishing Paul’s authority, his relationship to Timothy, and the divine foundation of his ministry. This verse, though brief, is carefully crafted to set the tone for a letter that addresses issues of church leadership, sound doctrine, and godly living in the face of false teaching. To fully unpack 1 Timothy 1:1, we must explore its historical and ecclesiastical context, the specific language Paul employs, and the theological implications that frame the epistle’s purpose.

Paul begins by identifying himself as “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus.” The use of his Roman name, “Paul,” rather than his Hebrew name, Saul, reflects his role as a missionary to the Gentiles, a significant aspect of his identity given the likely mixed Jewish-Gentile composition of the Ephesian church, where Timothy was serving. The title “apostle” (apostolos in Greek, meaning “one sent”) carries weighty authority, designating Paul as a divinely commissioned representative of Christ. In the early church, apostles were those who had encountered the risen Christ and were entrusted with proclaiming His message (1 Corinthians 9:1). Paul’s claim to apostleship, rooted in his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19), was particularly important in the context of 1 Timothy, as the letter addresses challenges to sound doctrine and church order. By asserting his apostolic status, Paul establishes his authority to instruct Timothy and, by extension, the Ephesian church, on matters of faith and practice.

The phrase “by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope” further grounds Paul’s apostleship in divine authority. The term “command” (epitagē), a strong word denoting an authoritative directive, emphasizes that Paul’s role is not self-appointed but mandated by God. This divine commission is critical in a letter that seeks to correct false teachings and establish proper church governance (1 Timothy 1:3–11). The dual reference to “God our Savior” and “Christ Jesus our hope” is theologically significant, highlighting the cooperative roles of the Father and the Son in salvation and Paul’s ministry. The title “God our Savior” is rare in Paul’s writings but appears frequently in the Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy 2:3, 4:10; Titus 1:3, 2:10, 3:4). It draws on Old Testament language, where God is often described as Israel’s Savior (e.g., Psalm 106:21; Isaiah 43:3), and applies it to the Christian context, emphasizing God’s role as the initiator of salvation. The phrase “Christ Jesus our hope” is unique to this verse in the New Testament, portraying Jesus as the embodiment and guarantor of the believer’s eschatological hope. This title underscores the forward-looking dimension of the Christian faith, where Christ is the source of confidence in God’s promises, a theme that resonates in a letter concerned with perseverance in sound doctrine and godly conduct.

The historical context of 1 Timothy enhances our understanding of this verse. Traditionally attributed to Paul and dated to the early 60s AD, the letter is addressed to Timothy, Paul’s trusted co-worker and spiritual son (1 Timothy 1:2), who was overseeing the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a major cultural and religious center in the Greco-Roman world, known for its temple to Artemis and its diverse population. The church there faced challenges from false teachers who promoted speculative teachings, myths, and genealogies, which Paul addresses directly in 1 Timothy 1:3–7. These issues threatened the integrity of the gospel and the health of the church, making Paul’s apostolic authority and divine commission essential for establishing Timothy’s leadership and correcting these errors. By opening with a declaration of his apostleship “by the command of God,” Paul equips Timothy with the backing needed to confront these challenges with confidence.

The language of 1 Timothy 1:1 also serves a rhetorical purpose. By emphasizing the divine “command” and linking his apostleship to both God the Father and Christ Jesus, Paul sets a tone of authority and urgency. Unlike his greetings in other letters, such as Romans or Galatians, where he defends his apostleship against specific challenges, here Paul’s tone is pastoral yet firm, reflecting his role as a mentor instructing a younger leader. The titles “God our Savior” and “Christ Jesus our hope” are not merely formal but theologically loaded, framing the letter’s focus on salvation and hope in the face of false teachings that could lead believers astray. These titles also connect to the letter’s broader themes of God’s redemptive plan and the centrality of Christ in the life of the church, as seen in passages like 1 Timothy 2:5–6 and 4:10.

Theologically, 1 Timothy 1:1 establishes the foundation for the epistle’s emphasis on sound doctrine, godly leadership, and the mission of the church. The phrase “God our Savior” highlights the divine initiative in salvation, a theme developed in 1 Timothy 2:3–4, where God desires all people to be saved. The title “Christ Jesus our hope” points to the eschatological fulfillment of God’s plan, encouraging Timothy and the church to remain steadfast in their faith. Paul’s apostolic authority, rooted in God’s command, underscores the importance of authoritative teaching in preserving the gospel’s truth, a critical issue in a church facing doctrinal confusion. The verse also reflects the Trinitarian framework of Paul’s theology, with God the Father and Christ Jesus presented as coequal agents in salvation and Paul’s commission, a perspective that informs the letter’s Christ-centered instructions (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:16).

In the context of the Ephesian church, 1 Timothy 1:1 serves as a rallying point for Timothy’s leadership. By grounding his authority in God’s command, Paul empowers Timothy to act decisively against false teachers and to establish order in the church. The verse also models the humility and dependence on God that Timothy is to embody as a leader. Paul’s apostleship is not a personal achievement but a divine mandate, and similarly, Timothy’s role is to be carried out in reliance on God’s grace and power (1 Timothy 1:12–14). The emphasis on “our Savior” and “our hope” fosters a sense of shared identity among believers, uniting them under God’s redemptive purpose despite the challenges they face.

In conclusion, 1 Timothy 1:1 is a powerful and purposeful opening that establishes Paul’s apostolic authority, grounds his ministry in the divine command of God and Christ, and sets the stage for a letter focused on preserving sound doctrine and fostering godly leadership. Through the titles “God our Savior” and “Christ Jesus our hope,” Paul introduces the theological framework of salvation and eschatological hope that undergirds the epistle’s instructions. This verse is not merely a greeting but a theological cornerstone, equipping Timothy and the Ephesian church to stand firm in the truth of the gospel and to fulfill their calling in a challenging context.

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People of God, children of grace, hear this holy word and do not let it pass as a mere introduction or a formality of ancient correspondence. For this opening line, though brief, is bursting with the force of divine identity, purpose, and authority. The apostolic voice begins not with ornament or empty pleasantry, but with the full weight of divine commission: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.”

This is no ordinary beginning. This is a trumpet sound from heaven, declaring not merely who is speaking, but why he speaks, and under whose authority his voice carries weight. The apostle does not come on his own. He does not move by personal ambition. He is not writing to flatter, nor does he come to please man. He writes as one under orders—under divine command—from the living God who saves and from Christ Jesus, who is our only hope.

The Church must be reminded again in this hour that apostolic authority is not rooted in personality, pedigree, or popularity. It is rooted in the call of God, the sovereignty of Christ, and the fire of the Spirit. Paul does not call himself “an apostle of the Church,” nor “an apostle of the people,” but “an apostle of Christ Jesus.” He was sent by no lesser hand than the One who met him on the road to Damascus, who broke his pride, who opened his blind eyes, and who placed upon his life a holy assignment that no man could revoke.

He was an apostle by command—not suggestion, not invitation, not consensus. When God calls, He commands. And when He commands, He equips. The apostleship of Paul is not merely a title; it is a divine burden. It is the weight of responsibility to guard the gospel, to build the Church, to suffer for the Name, and to deliver the truth without dilution. Paul did not choose this path. He was apprehended for it. And he reminds Timothy—his spiritual son, his fellow laborer, his heir in the ministry—that every step of this journey flows not from human initiative, but from divine order.

This reminds us that true ministry—true calling—is never a career. It is not a platform for self. It is not a means to an end. It is not a pathway to applause. It is a response to divine command. It begins with surrender. It is sustained by grace. It often walks the road of rejection, and it ends in eternal reward. And every minister of Christ, every disciple who bears His Name, must come to terms with this: we do not serve because we chose Him. We serve because He chose us, and appointed us, that we should bear fruit—fruit that abides.

Paul writes not only from obedience to a command but from relationship with the One who commanded. He speaks of “God our Savior.” Oh, let us not rush past this. The command that called Paul was not from a distant deity, but from the God who saves. Our God is not only a Creator and Judge—He is Savior. He did not merely design the universe; He stepped into it. He did not only give laws; He gave Himself. This is the God who seeks and saves the lost. This is the God who stretches forth His arm and brings His people out of bondage. And this God commanded Paul, because God’s salvation demands proclamation.

The gospel is not a private comfort. It is a divine summons. And when God saves, He also sends. Paul was commanded not simply for position, but for mission: to herald the saving grace of God to the Gentiles, to the broken, to the outsiders, to the very ones the world had written off. And today, the same God who called Paul is calling His people—not to silence, not to spiritual ease, but to a life of gospel proclamation. The Church must rise again with apostolic clarity, recognizing that we are not here by accident, nor assembled by tradition, but commanded by God our Savior to bear His Name in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

And finally, Paul anchors his identity in the hope of the Church: “Christ Jesus our hope.” What glorious words! Not Christ Jesus as our hope among many. Not Christ Jesus as a symbol of hope. But Christ Jesus our hope. The only hope. The living hope. The unfailing hope. The hope that holds in the storm. The hope that answers death. The hope that outshines every earthly promise. This is not a vague optimism or spiritual sentiment. This is the resurrected Christ—our hope of glory. Paul writes from command, yes—but he also writes from confidence. For the One who commands him is also the One who holds his future.

This is the hope that fuels every true servant of God. This is the hope that strengthens the weary, the persecuted, the overlooked. This is the hope that does not disappoint. And we must preach Him again—not a gospel of self-help, not a gospel of human achievement, not a gospel of moralism—but Christ Jesus, crucified, risen, and coming again. He is the hope that sustains the Church. He is the hope that anchors the apostolic message. And He is the hope that will never fail us.

So, beloved, what shall we say to these things? Let us take our stand again under the command of God our Savior. Let us yield ourselves to the calling of Christ—not with reluctance, but with holy resolve. Let us refuse every diluted message, every false gospel, every man-centered distortion of truth. Let us walk as those sent. Let us speak as those appointed. Let us live as those who belong to Christ Jesus our hope.

And let every generation who follows us know: the gospel did not begin with man, and it will not end with man. It came from God. It came through Christ. It came by command. And it will endure to the end. For Christ Jesus is not only our hope—He is the hope of the world. Amen.

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O Lord God Almighty, our Savior and our King,

We come before You in reverence and in holy trembling, with hearts bowed low and eyes lifted high. You who dwell in majesty unsearchable, You who have commanded the morning and laid the foundations of the earth, You are the God who saves and the God who sends. Today, O Lord, we lift our voices in prayer, echoing the apostolic call, embracing the charge You gave through Your servant Paul, who did not rise by ambition, but was appointed by Your command.

Father, we bless You for the authority of Your call. We honor You as the One who calls not according to the will of man, nor by human appointment, but by Your own sovereign voice. You called Paul—a man once blind, once violent, once proud—and You transformed him into an apostle of the Lamb. So now, Lord, we cry out: call us afresh! Command us again! We do not seek a name, nor a title, nor the praise of men—we seek only to be faithful stewards of the gospel, servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, obedient to Your holy command.

You are God our Savior. You are not silent. You are not still. You are not far. You have come down. You have drawn near. You have spoken through prophets, through the law, through signs and wonders—but in these last days, You have spoken through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We magnify You, O God, because You did not leave us in our sin. You did not forsake us to wrath. You sent Your Son. You broke the chains. You overcame the grave. You delivered us by the blood of the Lamb. And we cry with joy, "God is our Savior!"

Lord, let that truth settle deep in us—not as a phrase, but as our foundation. We do not look to man for rescue. We do not trust in the flesh. We do not rest in systems or policies or idols made with hands. You alone save. You alone deliver. You alone justify, sanctify, and glorify. Let this generation not forget You as Savior. Let the Church not grow weary of proclaiming Christ crucified. Let us not be ashamed of the gospel. Let us not treat lightly what You purchased with Your own blood.

And Father, as Paul declared, we too declare: Christ Jesus is our hope. He is not our last resort—He is our first joy. He is not a relic of the past—He is the power of our present and the promise of our future. Our hope is not in health, not in wealth, not in comfort, not in fleeting peace. Our hope is a Person. Our hope is Christ. Our hope is nailed hands, thorn-crowned brow, empty tomb, risen Lord, seated King, returning Savior. Let that hope burn within us, Lord. Let it shape how we live, how we speak, how we suffer, how we love. Let Christ Jesus be our hope when the world offers none. Let Christ Jesus be our hope when our strength is gone. Let Christ Jesus be our hope when the night is long and the valley deep.

O God, awaken Your Church to the weight of Your command. Let us not serve casually. Let us not speak lightly. Let us not drift or grow distracted. Stir up every soul You have called. Rekindle the fire in every heart You have sealed. Raise up messengers who tremble at Your Word and rejoice in Your Son. Let our lives be lived under divine command, not worldly convenience. Let our churches be led by Your Spirit, not by cultural winds. Let Your people arise—bold, obedient, holy, and faithful.

Lord, we ask You: send again. Command again. Appoint again. Raise up apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers—not for titles, not for applause, but for the building up of the Body, for the advancing of the gospel, for the perfecting of the saints. Let the call of heaven drown out every lesser call. Let the mission of Christ be the banner over our lives.

We surrender to Your command. We cling to our Savior. We rest in our Hope. And we wait eagerly for the day when faith becomes sight, when hope is fulfilled, when the trumpet sounds and the King returns. Until that day, O Lord, we say: Here we are. Send us. Use us. Keep us. And be glorified in us, now and forevermore.

In the name of Christ Jesus—our Savior, our Lord, our Hope—we pray.

Amen.