Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 1:12

"I thank him that enabled me, [even] Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to [his] service;" — 1 Timothy 1:12 (ASV)

Usually the thanksgiving in Paul’s letters follows the salutation. But in this case the apostle has inserted between them a statement of his purpose in leaving Timothy at Ephesus. Now we find the familiar expression of thanks. In previous letters, thanksgiving was usually directed to God; here it is to “Christ Jesus our Lord.” The lordship of Jesus finds increasing emphasis in Paul’s later letters.

Christ has “given me strength” (lit., “empowered me”; GK 1904). He did so because the Lord considered him “faithful” (GK 4412), and he appointed Paul to his “service” (GK 1355). This last word is often a technical word in the NT for Christian ministry.