2 Timothy 1:1
What does 2 Timothy 1:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 1:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 1:1 means
Paul opens by naming himself an apostle of Christ Jesus, not by personal ambition but by God’s will. His apostleship serves a specific aim: to herald and serve “the promise of the life” that is found in Christ Jesus. In a world marked by sin and death, Paul frames the message of Christ as a sure promise, not a mere wish. That life is both present—experienced now by faith—and future—secured in eternity. By tying his commission to God’s will and Christ’s promise, Paul roots his authority and message in God’s initiative. This sets a tone of confidence and hope, even as he writes from hardship and faces death with assurance in Christ’s life-giving gospel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the purpose of God, in the hope of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, according to a promise of life that <FI>is<Fi> in Christ Jesus,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ byGod's will, according to promise of life, the [life] which [is] in Christ Jesus,
Context
Verse 1 begins the letter’s greeting. Paul declares his office and its divine source, orienting the reader to receive the letter as apostolic instruction. The phrase “promise of the life” anticipates later verses about God’s saving purpose and Christ abolishing death (verses 9–10). This verse prepares the way for the personal address to Timothy in verse 2 and the prayerful thanksgiving in verses 3–5. It places the entire letter within the framework of God’s will and Christ-centered hope, which will sustain Timothy amid difficulties.
v.1This passage
v.2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, calledto bean apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
- Romans 5:21
that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.
- 2 Corinthians 1:20
For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us.
- Ephesians 3:6
to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
- John 5:39
Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;
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