1 Timothy 1:2
What does 1 Timothy 1:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 1:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 1:2 means
Paul addresses Timothy as his true child in faith, highlighting their close spiritual bond. Timothy’s ministry arose under Paul’s mentorship, and this endearing address affirms Timothy’s legitimacy. Paul prays for grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord—gifts that sustain a pastor amid challenges. That both the Father and Christ are the source underscores the unity of the Godhead and Christ’s divine lordship. Grace meets need, mercy addresses misery and failure, and peace steadies the heart. Timothy’s work in Ephesus will require all three, not as human achievement but as divine provision.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862to Timotheus--genuine child in faith: Grace, kindness, peace, from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890to Timotheus, [my] true child in faith: grace, mercy, peace, fromGod our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Context
Having asserted divine commissioning in verse 1, Paul now personalizes the letter. The greeting roots Timothy’s calling in a trusted relationship and invokes blessings essential for what follows. This blessing prepares the reader for the weighty charge and conflict introduced in the next verses. The transition from identity and greeting to exhortation is typical of Paul’s letters, moving from who God is and what He gives to what His servants must do. In verse 3, Paul immediately recalls why he left Timothy in Ephesus: to confront false teaching.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 1:18
This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare;
- 2 Timothy 2:1
Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 1:7
to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Galatians 1:3
Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
- Acts 16:1
And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek.
- 2 Timothy 1:2
to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
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