Day 3 - I Timothy 1:1-2

Devotional Commentary on I Timothy

Grace, Mercy, & Peace

h 1 Timothy 1:1-2    h

¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope. ²To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

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eading Paul’s letter to Timothy is like listening to a telephone conversation in that you hear only what one person is saying. You can only guess, based on what you hear, what the person on the other end is saying. Numerous conversations have occurred between Paul and Timothy about the issues mentioned in this letter, but we have not heard those conversations. Nonetheless, with the help of the Holy Spirit and with a willingness to apply our intelligence and knowledge, we can make a determination concerning the nature of the problem Timothy is facing.

The Relationship between Paul & Timothy

In verse 2 Paul refers to Timothy as a true son in the faith. The word “true” is a translation of the Greek word gnesios, which means “genuine” or “real.” In other words, Timothy is not a temporary fix or fill-in for Paul; he is the real deal. The word “son” is from the Greek word teknon, which is the word for a little child. This is obviously an endearing term that expresses the caring in Paul’s heart for Timothy. It is generally believed that Timothy, who was from Derbe/Lystra, was converted during Paul’s 1^st missionary journey to that area as recorded in Acts 14:6-7. When Paul passed through this same area about 2 years later (Acts 16:1-3), he invited Timothy to travel with him. Timothy became like a son to Paul and, perhaps, his most trusted associate. To the Philippians, Paul wrote of Timothy, I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare . . . because as a son with his father he has served with me in the gospel. Paul’s confidence in Timothy is why he left him in Ephesus to confront the false teaching.

Paul Wishes Grace, Mercy, & Peace for Timothy--and You

Paul then speaks a blessing of grace, mercy, and peace upon Timothy. These do not come from Paul but from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Grace is from the Greek word charis and refers to God’s gracious attitude toward those who believe. Paul often contrasts grace with works to make the point that grace cannot be earned; it can only be received by faith.

The next word is mercy, which refers to an undeserved act of kindness. Whereas grace refers to God’s gracious attitude and is the basis on which he relates to us, mercy refers to those concrete acts of goodness that he performs apart from any merit on the part of the recipient. Especially in the gospels we find individuals, like blind Bartimaeus, crying out to Jesus to have mercy on me (Mark 10:47). Don’t try to convince God that He owes you one! Cry out to him for mercy—for an undeserved act of kindness.

The third thing Paul wishes upon Timothy is peace. Peace was a common greeting in the Middle East. The Hebrew word is shalom. The Biblical word for peace includes freedom from turmoil; but also a deep inner sense of well-being as well as outward blessing and prosperity. I pray today that you will know the Peace that only Jesus gives.

Prayer & Reflection

Heavenly father, I pray your grace, mercy and peace today for every person reading this post. May they experience an act of mercy flowing from Your grace today. And may Your peace—Your shalom—fill their hearts and minds today with that sense of well-being because they belong to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!