• 1 Timothy 2:7
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 7 εἰς into ὃ which (thing) ἐτέθην was put ἐγὼ I κῆρυξ preacher καὶ and ἀπόστολος,— apostle,— ἀλήθειαν truth λέγω, I am saying, οὐ not ψεύδομαι,— I am lying,— διδάσκαλος teacher ἐθνῶν of nations ἐν in πίστει faith καὶ and ἀληθείᾳ. truth.

  • 1 Timothy Study Notes—Chapter 2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 2:7

      I was appointed a preacher: The Christian Greek Scriptures clearly indicate that the apostle Paul took his appointment seriously. For instance, here and at 2Ti 1:11, he uses three terms (“preacher”; “apostle”; “teacher”), each highlighting a special aspect of his assignment. He was “a preacher,” that is, a proclaimer of God’s message, as were Jesus and John the Baptist. (Mt 4:17; Lu 3:18; see study note on Mt 3:1.) Similarly, Noah was “a preacher of righteousness.”​—2Pe 2:5.

      an apostle: Jesus Christ chose Paul to be “an apostle,” or “someone sent out.” (Ac 9:15; Ro 1:5) Paul also describes himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will” and “an apostle to the nations.”​—1Co 1:1; Ro 11:13 and study note; see study note on Ro 1:1.

      I am telling the truth, I am not lying: Paul may have felt the need to reinforce the truthfulness of his words because certain opposers claimed that he was a false apostle. Some Christians were apparently influenced by that claim. (2Co 11:4, 5; Ga 1:6, 7, 11, 12) A few of those attempting to discredit Paul may have been among those false teachers with whom Timothy had to contend in Ephesus. (1Ti 1:3, 4) Paul used an expression that echoed oaths that were common in Roman legal procedure. He thus reassured Timothy as well as other Christians in Ephesus that he, Paul, was a true apostle. Similar expressions are found at Ro 9:1 and Ga 1:20.

      a teacher of nations: As a teacher, Paul reasoned with his listeners and persuaded many to put faith in Christ. (Ac 17:2; 28:23; see study note on Mt 28:20.) He was “a teacher of nations” in that he taught many non-Jews. This expression emphasizes the worldwide scope of the Christian preaching and teaching work that started in the first century C.E.