1Timothy 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
This book was the first of the three pastoral epistles – 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy and Titus – to give instructions concerning Christian behaviour, doctrine, and discipline.
Written by Paul from Macedonia about 67 A.D (1:3). He wrote 14 epistles (Romans to Hebrews). This is the 54th book of the Bible with 6 chapters, 113 verses, 2,269 words, 1 question, 106 verses of history, 5 verses of fulfilled and 2 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.
‘Apostles’ [Greek: apostolos] a delegate, one sent with the full power of attorney to act in the place of another, the sender remaining behind to back up the one sent. In the case of Christians, it means God sends them to do what He, Himself would do if He went. It is found 81 times and translated as apostle 78 times; messenger twice (2Cor. 8:23; Php. 2:25); and once he that is sent (John 13:16).
There are only twenty-four apostles recorded because they were the ones either writing the New Testament events as inspired by the Holy Spirit or spreading the gospel amongst the congregations of believers who had no access to the written Word of God yet. Some of them turned away from Christianity even after they knew Jesus in person. They were: Simon Peter and his brother Andrew (Matt. 10:2), James, son of Zebedee and John his brother (Matt. 10:2), Philip and his brother Bartholomew (Matt. 10:3), James, son of Alphaeus and Judas his brother (Luke 6:16) and Matthew, son of Alphaeus, perhaps brother of James and Judas (Mark 2:14; Luke 6:15), and Thomas (Matt. 10:3). Simon Zelotes, brother of James and Judas, according to tradition (Luke 6:15), Judas Iscariot (Matt. 10:4), Matthias (Acts 1:26), Barnabas (1Cor. 9:5-6; Acts 13:1-3; 14:4, 14; Gal. 2:9), Andronicus (Rom. 16:7), Junia (Rom. 16:7), and Apollos (1Cor. 4:6-9). James, the Lord’s brother (Gal. 1:19; 2:6; Jas. 1:1), Silas (1Thess. 1:1; 2:6), Timothy (1Thess. 1:1; 2:6), Titus (2Cor. 8:23), Epaphroditus (Php. 2:25), Paul (Gal. 1:1; 2:8), and Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1).
For lists of the twelve apostles see Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13, 26. Their commission, duties, and power (Matt. 10:1-42; 28:19-20; Mark 3:14-15; 6:7-13; 16:15-20; Luke 9:1-5; 24:47-53; John 20:22-23; 21:15-19; Acts 1:4-8).
To be continued…
Living the Word 