Thoughts on 1 Timothy 1:1-2: The Apostle Paul

There is so much to write about even in these first two verses. Today I'll give a little background of the author of 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul.

Paul is the author of 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. He was an apostle of Jesus having been discipled and taught by Jesus himself. Paul started out as Saul, and in his own words he was “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” Saul was a righteous Pharisee who was among the most vicious persecutors of the Christian faith. In the book of Galatians Paul says of his life: “I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.” Saul was feared among Christians being notorious for persecution and murder of anyone following “the Way”. But Jesus had another plan for Saul. Acts Chapter 9 tells the story of Saul’s conversion:

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

After Saul is visited by Jesus he begins telling people about his Savior:

“And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.”

Saul is then renamed Paul and goes on to become the greatest missionary in the history of the church, preaching and teaching for the remainder of his life. This is such an amazing account of God’s graciousness and sovereignty. Today this would be akin to Osama Bin Laden showing up in America, announcing his conversion to Christianity, proclaiming Jesus as Lord, and planting Christian churches all over the country. Only by the power of God could such a thing happen.

Tomorrow I'll write a little bit about the recipient of Paul's letter mentioned in verse two, Timothy.