“Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus according to the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our Hope.”

(1 Timothy 1:1)

It is believed that the letters of Paul to Timothy were written toward the end of his life. Much of this is based on the tone we find in these words as Paul is preparing Timothy to take on the mantle of leadership in the church. It is clear from the second of these epistles that Paul is writing from Rome while under house arrest, but the similarity in the themes implies that this first letter comes from much the same context. The letters of Paul to Timothy and Titus are often referred to as “pastoral epistles” (of which I would also include Philemon), where you see Paul giving pastoral advice to those he has put into place in church leadership.

It should be noted that while Paul often includes some deep theological truths within his opening words, these are some of the most profound. He begins by establishing his own Apostolic office, something given to him “according to the command of God.” It was not Paul’s decision to become an Apostle nor did Paul acquire that role on the basis of his own efforts. In addition, the office of Apostle was not given to him by men. Much like our salvation, Paul’s Apostleship was entirely a monergistic work of God — something in which he did not participate.

These words alone carry important ramifications as to the nature of our understanding of the office of Apostle. If this office is bestowed at the command of God, there is no handing down of the office (Apostolic Succession) as would be held by Roman Catholics nor is there any new office of Apostle as would be held by many in the pentecostal movement. Further, it implies that Peter’s action of appointing Matthias to membership of the Twelve (Acts 1:12-26) was not an appointment to the office of Apostle (notice that the Bible never refers to Matthias as an Apostle, only a member of the Twelve), but that it was simply a practice of filling Judas’ shoes in terms of leadership in the church. As to Apostolic leadership, it seems that Paul becomes the twelfth of the Apostles. Why? It is because of God’s call and God’s command (just as the earlier Apostles had been appointed by the command of God (Jesus) Himself.

Yet, Paul does not stop there. He speaks of “God our Savior.” This is not terribly uncommon language to the New Testament, though we are used to hearing the language of “Jesus our Savior.” First, this is just one of many New Testament affirmations that Jesus is God. Second, it is an affirmation of the unity of the work of the Trinity, that those things that are attributed to the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit, can be attributed to the Trinity as a whole. In other words, even though God the Son was the one who primarily did the work that brought about our salvation, God the Father and God the Spirit were present with Him at all times. The Godhead is not divisible as some would suggest it, nor is one ever separate from the works of another. There is a simplicity and unity within the Godhead that Goes beyond our comprehension; nevertheless, it is affirmed by passages such as this in the Scriptures.

Finally, Paul speaks about our hope. Often, pastors do not emphasize hope as significantly as they emphasize the classic “faith and love” aspects of the Christian life. That said, hope plays a significant role in the practical outworking of the Christian life. In Greek, ἐλπίς (elpis) refers to one’s reasonable anticipation of something taking place, in this case, the fulfillment of a promise. It is essentially, the belief that God is capable of fulfilling those things he has offered to you in Christ and that He will do them for you personally and individually. The Biblical notion of hope is not a fanciful thing, but it is something grounded in who Christ is and in what He has done. It is not wishful thinking; it is a reasoned anticipation.

Biblical hope enables the Christian to carry on even when the world seems like it is falling apart around him. It is that which keeps him sure and steady during trials and optimistic that even when facing difficulties, God has a purpose behind all that He is doing. Indeed, it is hope that assures the believer that God is working all things for the believer’s good and well-being (even when we cannot understand why). For Paul, he is in prison and facing a death sentence. For Timothy, he is anticipating the death of a beloved mentor and taking on a role in the church that will likely see him executed as well (church tradition states that Timothy would be stoned to death). Today, as I look around at the compromise that has become so prevalent within the church (even “good” conservative ones), it is hope that reminds me that God has a purpose and a plan even if that means the removal of so many lampstands from their place. Hope is a critical part of the Christian life; how appropriate it is that Paul begins here. Christ is our hope.