1 Timothy 2:7 - A Call to Prayer

For this reason
This phrase indicates a purpose or cause. Paul is referring to the preceding verses where he discusses the universal scope of salvation and the role of Jesus as the mediator. The reason is tied to the divine plan for spreading the Gospel to all people, emphasizing the inclusivity of God's salvation.

I was appointed
Paul's appointment is a divine calling, not a self-assumed role. This reflects the biblical theme of God choosing individuals for specific purposes, as seen with prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5) and apostles like Peter. It underscores the authority and legitimacy of Paul's ministry.

as a preacher
The term "preacher" highlights Paul's role in proclaiming the Gospel. In the Greco-Roman world, heralds were official messengers, and Paul sees himself as one who announces the good news of Christ. This aligns with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) to spread the Gospel to all nations.

an apostle
An apostle is one who is sent with a mission. Paul’s apostleship is unique as he was called by the risen Christ (Acts 9:3-6). This title affirms his authority and the divine origin of his message, distinguishing him from false teachers.

and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles
Paul's mission to the Gentiles is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 12:3). His faithfulness and truthfulness are crucial in establishing trust and credibility among the Gentile converts, contrasting with the false teachings prevalent at the time.

I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything
This emphatic statement underscores Paul's integrity and the authenticity of his message. In a cultural context where rhetoric and persuasion were highly valued, Paul assures his readers of his sincerity, echoing his defense of his apostleship in other letters (e.g., 2 Corinthians 11:31).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul
The author of the letter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, who emphasizes his role and authority in spreading the Gospel, particularly to the Gentiles.

2. Timothy
The recipient of the letter, a young pastor and protégé of Paul, who is being instructed on how to lead the church in Ephesus.

3. Gentiles
Non-Jewish people to whom Paul was specifically called to preach the Gospel, highlighting the universal nature of the Christian message.

4. Ephesus
The city where Timothy was stationed, known for its diverse population and significant role in early Christian history.

5. Apostleship
The office and calling of being an apostle, which Paul defends as divinely appointed, underscoring his authority and mission.

Teaching Points

Authority and Calling
Paul emphasizes his divine appointment, reminding us of the importance of recognizing and respecting God-given authority in the church.

Truthfulness in Ministry
Paul’s insistence on truthfulness serves as a model for integrity in ministry, encouraging believers to be honest and transparent in their service.

Mission to the Gentiles
The inclusion of Gentiles highlights the universal scope of the Gospel, urging believers to embrace diversity and reach out beyond cultural boundaries.

Role of a Teacher
Paul’s role as a teacher underscores the importance of sound doctrine and faithful teaching in the church, challenging leaders to be diligent in their study and instruction.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from 1 Timothy 2What are the main themes of 2 Timothy?What does being called to preach mean?Galatians 2:7 - Why does Paul assert distinct missions for himself and Peter when Acts describes overlapping evangelistic activities, creating a potential contradiction?Does Romans 2:7 advocate for salvation through works?

(7) Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle . . .--Whereunto, or "for which witness." To announce which witness--the witness being the suffering and the death of Christ--St. Paul was ordained an Apostle--the reference being entirely to what preceded.

I speak the truth . . . and lie not.--The warmth with which St. Paul here asserted his divinely conferred commission as preacher and Apostle, was not called out by any desire on his part to seize an occasion of asserting in the presence of his enemies, the false heretical teachers of Ephesus, his especial rank and prerogatives as an Apostle chosen and commissioned by the Most High. These fiery and earnest words had no private reference to him, St. Paul, or to his especial claims to be heard, but were uttered solely in view of the surpassing magnitude of the message with which he was charged--solely to bear a weighty and imposing testimony to the truth of his assertion, which so many were ready and eager to dispute--the assertion that the gospel of Jesus Christ was a message of glad tidings, was an offer of salvation, not to a people, but to a world.

A teacher of the Gentiles.--This specifies more clearly the especial duties of his apostleship, not perhaps without some reference to the peculiar fitness which marked him out as the declarer of the divine will in respect to this gracious offer of redemption to the isles of the scattered countless Gentiles.

In faith and verity.--Better rendered, in faith and truth. These words specify the sphere in which the Apostle performed his great mission. The first, "in faith," refers to St. Paul's own personal faith in Jesus--the grand motive power of his life and work; the second, "in truth," refers to the truth of Christianity--to the well-known facts of the gospel story. Or, in other words, St. Paul carried on his ceaseless labours, within gathering fresh and ever fresh strength from the exhaustless spring of his own loving, mighty faith in Jesus, and without appealing to the generally well-known incidents of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the truth of which all might test. In those days there were even many eye-witnesses of the Passion still living.

Verse 7. - Was appointed for am ordained, A.V.; truth for truth in Christ, A.V. and T.R.; I lie for and lie, A.V.; truth for verity, A.V. I was appointed, etc. It is quite in St. Paul's manner thus to refer to his own apostolic mission (see Romans 1:5; Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 1:1, 17; 1 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Galatians 1:1, etc.; Ephesians 3:2, 8; and many other places). A preacher (κήρυξ; as in 2 Timothy 1:11). So Mark 16:15, "Preach the gospel" is Κηρύξατε τὸ εὐαγγέλιον; and in ver. 20, "They... preached everywhere" is 'Ακήρυξαν πανταχοῦ; and 2 Timothy 4:2, "Preach the word" is Κήρυξον τὸν λόγον; and generally it is the word rendered "preach." It combines the idea of authority in the preacher who is the authorized herald (Romans 10:15), and publicity for his message (Matthew 10:27; Luke 12:3). I speak the truth, etc. The reason for this strong asseveration of his office as the apostle of the Gentiles is not at first sight apparent. But it was probably made in view of the antagonism of the Judaizing teachers referred to in 1 Timothy 1:3, 19, 20 (comp. Romans 11:13; Romans 15:15, 16). Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

For
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

[this reason]
ὃ (ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

was appointed as
ἐτέθην (etethēn)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

a herald,
κῆρυξ (kēryx)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2783: A herald, preacher, proclaimer. From kerusso; a herald, i.e. Of divine truth.

an apostle,
ἀπόστολος (apostolos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

[and]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

a faithful
πίστει (pistei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

TRUE
ἀληθείᾳ (alētheia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.

teacher
διδάσκαλος (didaskalos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1320: A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.

of [the] Gentiles.
ἐθνῶν (ethnōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

I am telling
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

[the] truth;
ἀλήθειαν (alētheian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.

[I am] not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

lying [ about anything ].
ψεύδομαι (pseudomai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5574: To deceive, lie, speak falsely. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood.

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1 Timothy 2:7 Catholic BibleNT Letters: 1 Timothy 2:7 To which I was appointed a preacher (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)