Scripture Notes: My Child (1 Timothy)

As Paul continues the introductory verses of his first letter to Timothy, he identifies his initial audience: “To Timothy, my true child in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2). Paul is the one who brought Timothy to the Christian faith. He taught Timothy about Jesus. He trained him in the Scriptures and in the sacraments. Maybe he stood beside Timothy as he was baptized. Perhaps he even ordained him priest and bishop. Timothy was indeed Paul’s son in a very real, deeply spiritual way, and their love must have been strong.

In fact, Paul’s love for Timothy stands behind his next words: “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Tim 1:2). What a beautiful prayer and blessing this is! Paul wishes God to pour out His grace onto his spiritual son, His gift of love and help and support and protection, His gift of life. Paul wishes Timothy to experience God’s mercy, His forgiveness, His saving help. Paul wishes Timothy the great comfort of peace, of having everything in the right order, God’s order. 

Paul knows that he cannot give these great gifts to his spiritual son, so he asks God to grant them, realizing that they come from the Father and the Son (and although Paul does not say it here, from the Holy Spirit as well). Paul understands that God’s love for Timothy is even greater than his own, and he longs for that divine love to flow over and into Timothy, his true child in the faith.