Appointed a Preacher, Apostle and Teacher 2 Timothy 1:11

Paul the apostle exhorted Timothy to not be “ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” nor of Paul “his prisoner”. Timothy was to be a “partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” who “saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace”. This “purpose and grace” was “given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” and was “now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”. In chapter one and verse eleven, Paul concluded this phrase with him being “appointed a preacher, apostle and teacher” where we read:

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

The verse begins, “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle,...” Paul began with the word, “Whereunto” which means “into, unto, towards, for and among” “I was appointed” or “set, put, fixed, established or placed” “a preacher” which means “a herald or messenger vested with public authority, who conveyed the official messages of kings, magistrates, princes, military commanders, or who gave a public summons or demand, and performed various other duties.” Paul added, “and an apostle” or “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders”. Because Jesus “has abolished death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”, Paul was a “called out one” who was “God's ambassador, and the herald or proclaimer of the divine word.”

The verse goes on to say, “...and a teacher of the Gentiles.” In addition to being a “preacher” and “an apostle”, Paul continued, “and a teacher” which means “one who is a master, doctor or instructor concerning the things of God, and the duties of man” “of the Gentiles” who were “pagan tribes, nations or people groups not worshipping the true God” and was “used by Paul as a description of Gentile Christians”. Paul the apostle received the three offices of “preacher, apostle and teacher” so the “Gentile” people would know the “purpose and grace” of God to “save and call” them into a relationship with Him for all of eternity.

While we meditate upon Paul's words, we may find it interesting that Paul had to declare his three commissions of duty. However, if we take the time to think it through, we will discover the care and concern of Almighty God for the “Gentile” people and nations as He gave these offices to Paul. Most people who read these words are Gentiles, and because Paul the apostle was commissioned by the Lord Jesus, we are able to participate in them today. What office or offices has the Lord Jesus “saved and called” us into? Are we fulfilling this “holy calling” as Paul fulfilled his? May the Lord help us by His Holy Spirit to know to what duty we have been called, and then may He energize us with His power to carry out all He has commissioned us to do.

Next time Paul tells Timothy how he suffered, was “not ashamed”, and was “persuaded”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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