1 Timothy 2:7 kjv
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
1 Timothy 2:7 nkjv
for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle?I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying? a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Timothy 2:7 niv
And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle?I am telling the truth, I am not lying?and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
1 Timothy 2:7 esv
For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Timothy 2:7 nlt
And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I'm not exaggerating ? just telling the truth.
1 Timothy 2 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 9:15 | But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel." | Paul's divine calling to Gentiles confirmed. |
| Acts 22:21 | "Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I shall send you far from here to the Gentiles.'" | Direct command for his Gentile mission. |
| Acts 26:17-18 | "...delivering you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you..." | God sending Paul directly to Gentiles. |
| Rom 1:5 | Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name... | Paul's apostolic commission for all nations. |
| Rom 11:13 | For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry. | Paul's specific role as Gentile apostle. |
| Rom 15:16 | ...that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable... | Paul serving Gentiles through the Gospel. |
| Gal 1:15-16 | But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles... | Divine calling to preach to Gentiles. |
| Gal 2:7-9 | ...but on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter... | Paul recognized as apostle to Gentiles. |
| Eph 3:1 | For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles... | Paul's apostleship tied to Gentiles. |
| Eph 3:7-8 | of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ... | Paul's ministry gift to preach to Gentiles. |
| Col 1:25 | of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God... | Paul as minister according to divine stewardship. |
| 2 Tim 1:11 | to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. | Direct parallel, affirming roles. |
| Isa 49:6 | "Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'" | Prophetic foundation for Gentile salvation. |
| Jer 1:5 | "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." | Prophetic commissioning "to the nations." |
| 1 Cor 9:16-18 | For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me... For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. | Paul's compulsion and stewardship of Gospel. |
| Titus 1:3 | but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior... | Gospel committed to Paul by God's command. |
| 1 Tim 2:4 | who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. | Context: God's universal salvific will. |
| 1 Tim 2:5-6 | For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time... | Context: Universal ransom and testimony. |
| Rom 10:14-15 | How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" | The necessity of a "herald" for salvation. |
| 2 Cor 4:2 | But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. | Paul's ministry characterized by truth. |
| Phil 1:17 | but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. | Paul appointed for gospel defense. |
| 1 Cor 4:1 | Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. | Paul as steward of God's truth. |
| 2 Thes 2:13 | But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth... | Salvation through belief in truth. |
1 Timothy 2 verses
1 Timothy 2 7 Meaning
The Apostle Paul states the divine purpose for which he was specifically commissioned: to serve as a proclaimer (herald), an authorized messenger (apostle), and an instructor (teacher) primarily to the Gentile nations. His ministry is characterized by and grounded in fidelity to God's truth and the true faith revealed in Christ. This affirms the authenticity and integrity of his apostleship and the message he delivers.
1 Timothy 2 7 Context
This verse is situated within Paul's practical instructions to Timothy regarding proper conduct and worship within the church. Immediately preceding it (1 Tim 2:1-6), Paul stresses the importance of praying for all people, emphasizing God's universal desire for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). He then points to the singular mediatorial role of Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all (1 Tim 2:5-6). Paul's own apostleship and commission to the Gentiles in 1 Timothy 2:7 serves as crucial validation and example for this universal scope of the Gospel message and God's saving will, anchoring the authority of his instructions on his divinely appointed role to carry this universal truth.
1 Timothy 2 7 Word analysis
for which (εἰς ὃ, eis ho): Literally "into which." Refers to the "testimony given at the proper time" (1 Tim 2:6). It signifies the purpose or sphere of his commission. His calling is intricately linked to bearing witness to the ransom for all.
I was appointed (ἐτέθην, etethen): Aorist passive indicative of tithēmi (to place, set, appoint). The passive voice emphasizes divine agency. Paul did not appoint himself; he was set or placed in this role by God. This underscores the divine origin and authority of his ministry.
a herald (κήρυξ, kēryx): A public announcer, proclaimer, or envoy who makes a formal proclamation. This role denotes one who speaks with authority on behalf of a king or governing body. Paul's message is a divine proclamation, not an opinion or mere persuasion. It implies boldness, clarity, and urgency.
an apostle (ἀπόστολος, apostolos): Literally "one sent forth." In the New Testament, specifically designates someone sent directly by Christ with a unique commission to establish the foundational truths of the church. Paul was uniquely called to be the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom 11:13). This title signifies supreme authority in delivering the Gospel.
a teacher (διδάσκαλος, didaskalos): An instructor or master. This role involves more than proclamation; it includes systematic instruction, explanation, and discipleship in the faith. It speaks to Paul's responsibility to educate and ground believers in sound doctrine, not just evangelize.
of the Gentiles (ἐθνῶν, ethnōn): Genitive plural of ethnos (nations, peoples). This specifies the particular focus and primary target group of Paul's commission. It highlights God's inclusive plan to save all peoples, breaking down the traditional Jewish-Gentile divide. It also addresses contemporary Jewish exclusivity concerning salvation.
in faith (ἐν πίστει, en pistei): "In faith" can denote the sphere, manner, or foundation of his ministry. It emphasizes Paul's own faithfulness and trustworthiness in his ministry, that he served authentically within the true faith, relying on God's truth. It underscores the spiritual reality in which he operates.
and truth (καὶ ἀληθείᾳ, kai alētheia): "And in truth." This complements "in faith." It signifies that the content of his teaching is based on divine revelation, actual reality, and verifiable truth, not human invention or falsehood. It counters any accusations that Paul was a deceiver or his message was fabricated. His ministry was both faithful and factually correct according to God's standard.
Words-group Analysis
- "I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher": This threefold designation ("herald," "apostle," "teacher") delineates the comprehensive nature of Paul's divinely given ministry. It demonstrates that his role encompassed authoritative proclamation, unique foundational commission, and systematic doctrinal instruction.
- "of the Gentiles": This phrase pinpoints the unique and challenging aspect of Paul's specific calling. It highlights God's intentional extension of salvation to all peoples and sets Paul apart from other apostles who focused on the Jews (e.g., Peter for the circumcised).
- "in faith and truth": This phrase characterizes Paul's ministry itself. It asserts that his mission was carried out with absolute faithfulness and integrity, firmly rooted in and conveying genuine divine truth. It authenticates his message and his method.
1 Timothy 2 7 Bonus section
Paul's emphatic inclusion of "I" (ἐγὼ) in the Greek text ("I myself was appointed") strengthens his personal testimony and distinguishes his direct calling from any other. This subtle emphasis is significant in the context of emerging heresies and challenges to apostolic authority within the early church. Paul's clear articulation of his triple role (herald, apostle, teacher) might also be a deliberate counter-statement to those who questioned his credentials or claimed a superior commission. The language here resonates with Old Testament commissioning of prophets, such as Jeremiah (Jer 1:5) and Isaiah (Isa 49:6), emphasizing a pre-ordained and divine appointment for a specific purpose among nations. The very nature of a "herald" implies not originating the message, but delivering a King's authoritative message, thus aligning Paul with Christ's ultimate authority.
1 Timothy 2 7 Commentary
1 Timothy 2:7 powerfully underpins Paul's authority for the instructions he gives to Timothy concerning the order and practices within the Ephesian church. Paul, in declaring his specific, multifaceted divine commission, establishes the weight of his words as coming from a true apostle of Christ. The progression from "herald" (public proclaimer of news) to "apostle" (an authoritative, divinely sent envoy) to "teacher" (one who imparts sound doctrine) demonstrates the comprehensiveness of his God-given responsibilities. His focus "of the Gentiles" underscores the universal scope of the Gospel he proclaimed, aligning with the earlier declaration that God desires all to be saved. The final phrase, "in faith and truth," serves as a seal of authenticity and integrity. It reassures Timothy (and subsequent readers) that Paul's ministry was conducted not merely with personal conviction, but with absolute fidelity to the revealed truth of God, contrasting with potential false teachings that could arise. This grounding in truth and faithfulness provides a basis for his mandates regarding worship, prayer, and roles within the believing community. For instance, knowing Paul's apostolic integrity means his commands about modest dress or quiet learning in church are to be taken seriously as divine directives.