2 Timothy 1:11 Kommentar

In this chapter, after the inscription and salutation, the apostle expresses his great affection for Timothy, and highly commends him; exhorts him to various things relating to his office, as a preacher of the Gospel; and concludes with taking notice of the kindness shown him by Onesiphorus. The inscription and salutation are in Ti2 1:1 and then follows the preface to the epistle, in which the apostle testifies his great love to Timothy, and commends him; by declaring his thankfulness to God, that he had reason always to remember him in his prayers; by his desire to see him again, who had shed so many tears for him, that his joy might be filled; and by taking notice of his unfeigned faith, the same with that which had dwelt in his ancestors, Ti2 1:3. And then he proceeds to exhort him to the exercise and improvement of his ministerial gift; to show a fortitude of mind, and a manly spirit in the cause of Christ; and to suffer cheerfully for the sake of it, Ti2 1:6 and in order to animate and encourage him to the same, he gives a summary of the Gospel, as containing in it the great doctrines of salvation, and eternal life, according to the free grace of God through Jesus Christ, Ti2 1:9 and observes, that he himself was appointed a preacher of it to the Gentiles, Ti2 1:11 and instances in himself, as suffering for it, without being ashamed; and as having a strong confidence in Christ, as able to keep him, and what he had committed to him, Ti2 1:12 and then returns to his exhortation to Timothy to hold fast the Gospel of Christ; to which he urges him from the consideration of the nature and value of it, being a form of sound words, and that famous good thing, and of the means and manner in which he came to the knowledge of it; and chiefly from its being committed to him by the Holy Ghost, that dwelt in him; and also because of the general defection of the Asian professors from it, Ti2 1:13 but he excepts one person, Onesiphorus by name, whom he commends for his kindness to him both at Ephesus and at Rome; and therefore entreats of the Lord mercy, both for him and his house, at the great day, Ti2 1:16.

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher,.... Both from eternity, in the counsel and purpose of God, Act 9:15 and in time, by the church at Antioch, and the prophets in it, according to the express order of the Holy Ghost, Act 13:2. And if ever there was a preacher of the Gospel, Paul was one; he preached purely, powerfully, publicly, constantly, boldly, and with all faithfulness and integrity: and an apostle; that is, of the Gentiles, as follows, and as he elsewhere styles himself, Rom 11:13 for it does not run so smooth and easy to connect this with the word Gospel. In Ti2 1:1, he is called the apostle of Jesus Christ, because he was sent by him; and here the apostle of the Gentiles, because, he was sent to them; and this by the same appointment, by which he became a preacher: and a teacher of the Gentiles; though all the apostles, by their commission, were sent to teach all nations, or the Gentiles in the several parts of the world, as well as Jews; yet the apostle was eminently a teacher of them; his work chiefly lay among them; the Gospel of the uncircumcision, or the ministration of the Gospel to the uncircumcised Gentiles, was committed to him; and he was a teacher of them in faith and verity, as in Ti1 2:7. The Alexandrian copy only reads, "and a teacher".

"Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an Apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." Why does he so constantly repeat this, and call himself a teacher of the Gentiles? Because he wishes to persuade them that they also ought to draw close to the Gentiles. Be not therefore dismayed at my sufferings. The sinews of death are unstrung. It is not as a malefactor that I suffer, but because I am "a teacher of the Gentiles." At the same time he makes his discourse worthy of credit.

Now revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles. Already long ago it was prefigured that we would be saved, but now it has been revealed through the incarnation of our Savior God. For such is the will of God, that the world should be saved through faith, now and not at another time, it has now been revealed. who abolished death. To the one who forgives sin, and granted resurrection. life and immortality to light. That is, revealing. The word is worthy of life. Paul says, through the Gospel. For through it, both eternal life and resurrection have been made clear. for which I was appointed. First, he says what is, then he also implies this: You must also go to the Gentiles. Moreover, he also makes the statement more credible.

Why did the apostle now call himself a teacher of the Gentiles? To impress upon Timothy that he must proclaim the word of the Gospel to the Gentiles, and not lose heart, but imitate him, who was bound for the sake of the evangelical teaching.

Above, he urged Timothy to preach Christ earnestly; here he sets himself before him as an example: first, he gives the example; second, he urges him to follow it, at hold the form; third, he states why he must follow this example, at you know this. In regard to the first he does three things: first, he mentions his office; second, he narrates what he has suffered in performing that office, at for which cause I also suffer these things; third, the certainty of his hope, at for I know. First, therefore, he describes his office from three viewpoints: because he declares that he is appointed a preacher to raise the moral standard: preach the word (2 Tim 4:2); preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15); second, an apostle, to govern the Church, because the apostles were prelates of the Church: he who wrought in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, wrought also in me among the gentiles (Gal 2:8); third, and teacher of the gentiles to teach the holy faith and the knowledge of God: a doctor of the gentiles in faith and truth (1 Tim 2:7); O children of Zion, rejoice and be joyful in the Lord, your God, because he has given you a teacher of justice (Joel 2:23). But he says, wherein I am appointed; and he lists three things: first, that he did not take it upon himself, but was appointed to it by another: no man takes the honor to himself, but he that is called, as Aaron was (Heb 5:4); second, in the appointment his duties are outlined; third, firmness, because he was appointed according to the order of reason, he has remained firm: I have appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain (John 15:16); the stars remaining in their order and courses fought against Sisara (Judges 5:20).

Paul's address to Timothy, and declaration of his affection for him, Ti2 1:1-4. His account of the piety of Timothy's mother and grandmother, and the religious education they had given their son, Ti2 1:5. He exhorts him to stir up the gift of God that is in him, and not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, Ti2 1:6-8. How God has saved them that believe; and how Christ has brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel, Ti2 1:9, Ti2 1:10. The apostle's call to preach it, and the persecutions which he had been obliged in consequence to endure, Ti2 1:11, Ti2 1:12. Timothy is exhorted to hold fast the form of sound words, Ti2 1:13, Ti2 1:14. And is informed of the apostasy of several in Asia: and particularly of Phygellus and Hermogenes, Ti2 1:15. And of the great kindness of Onesiphorus to the apostle in his imprisonment, Ti2 1:16-18.

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher - Κηρυξ, a herald. See the notes at Mat 3:17. And an apostle - Sent immediately from God to man. A teacher - One whose business it is to instruct men, and particularly the Gentiles, to whom he was especially sent; to proclaim the doctrines of eternal life, the resurrection and final incorruptibility of the human body; and, in a word, the salvation both of the body and soul of man by Christ Jesus.

This Epistle is the last testament and swan-like death song of Paul [BENGEL]. according to the promise of life . . . in Christ--Paul's apostleship is in order to carry into effect this promise. Compare "according to the faith . . . in hope of eternal life . . . promise," &c. (Tit 1:1-2). This "promise of life in Christ" (compare Ti2 1:10; Ti2 2:8) was needed to nerve Timothy to fortitude amidst trials, and to boldness in undertaking the journey to Rome, which would be attended with much risk (Ti2 1:8).

Whereunto--For the publication of which Gospel. I am appointed--Greek, "I was appointed." preacher--Greek, "herald." teacher of the Gentiles-- (Ti1 2:7). He brings forward his own example in this verse and Ti2 1:12, as a pattern for Timothy, as a public "preacher," an "apostle," or missionary from place to place, and a "teacher" in private instructing His flock with patient perseverance.