Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 2:7

"whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." — 1 Timothy 2:7 (ASV)

For the purpose of giving this witness, Paul was “appointed” (lit., “placed”; GK 5502) as “a herald and an apostle.” “Herald” (GK 3061) was used in Paul’s day to designate a messenger vested with public authority, who conveyed the messages of public officials or who gave a public summons; in the NT it signifies the one who proclaims the divine word. Thus a “preacher” is someone who makes a public proclamation for the King of kings. He is not to air his own opinions or debate other people’s ideas but to proclaim the Word of God. What a glorious privilege and what an awesome responsibility! On apostle, see comment on 1:1.

Paul adds, “I am telling the truth, I am not lying.” This suggests that some of the church members at Ephesus were challenging his apostolic authority, as had happened at Corinth (2 Corinthians 10:10).

In addition, Paul was “a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.” This was his special assignment from the Lord (Acts 9:15; Ephesians 3:2–8). Though he was “a Hebrew of the Hebrews” and brought up a strict Pharisee , he had been born in Tarsus, one of the three main centers of Greek learning (after Athens and Alexandria), and was therefore suited to this assignment. The Christian leaders at Jerusalem agreed that he should evangelize the Gentiles (Galatians 2:9).