Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Timothy 1

Highlight Verse:

“This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This first verse of 1st Timothy raises more questions than it answers.

• First, why does Paul have to introduce himself to someone whom he mentored?
• Second, where was this command to make Paul an Apostle?
• Third, why does he highlight just the fact that Jesus gives us hope?

I think the answer to the first question is quite simple. This letter was meant to be read by more people than Timothy. Paul had already set a precedent by writing public letters to the different churches that he helped found. This letter would serve as proof that the ideas put forth by it were not just Timothy’s ideas.

The commission of Paul is given in Acts 9:15-16 where Paul is called upon to be God’s voice to the Gentiles.

Honestly, I don’t know why the hope given by Jesus is highlighted. Perhaps that is due to the lateness of the hour when I write this.

What are your thoughts on the matter?
Is Paul truly an Apostle and how will he influence the reader?