Thomas Aquinas Commentary 2 Timothy 1:1-2

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." — 2 Timothy 1:1-2 (ASV)

1. This epistle is divided into the greeting and the main message, which begins with the words, I give thanks to God (2 Timothy 1:3). The greeting mentions three things: first, the person sending the greeting; second, the person being greeted; and third, the good he wishes for him.

2. The person sending the greeting is Paul, a name that suggests moderation and suits him because of his humility of mind and the tribulations that make a person small. This is similar to how Christ is said to have been diminished by his sufferings: but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of his death, crowned with glory and honor (Hebrews 2:9).

   The name also suits his dignity. He addresses his dignity in three ways: first, he mentions the dignity itself; second, its source; and third, its fruit. His dignity is great because he is an apostle of Jesus Christ, that is, sent by Christ: he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles (Luke 6:12). He earned this dignity because he labored harder than the others: he who worked in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, worked in me also among the gentiles (Galatians 2:8).

   The source of his apostleship is in God’s will; therefore, he says, by the will of God. This is unlike some who preempt God's will, forcing themselves into the role: neither does any man take the honor to himself, but he that is called by God as Aaron was (Hebrews 5:4). Others are permitted to rule because of the people’s sin: who makes a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people? (Job 34:30). But Paul is an apostle by the will of God, which he says to show it was not by his own will.

   The fruit of this apostleship is not earthly, but is according to the promise of life itself in Christ Jesus; that is, it leads to the everlasting life promised by Christ. This should be the goal of all church leaders: they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible (1 Corinthians 9:25); they that instruct many to justice shall shine as stars for all eternity (Daniel 12:3).

3. The person greeted is Timothy, his son, whom he converted. He is called my dearly beloved son because they were of the same mind: for I have no man so of the same mind who with sincere affection is concerned for you (Philippians 2:20).

4. The blessings he desires for him are three: grace, through which sins are forgiven; mercy, through which we obtain the final good; and peace. A gloss explains peace as tranquility of mind, which is fitting for a church leader who is appointed to bring about peace: the Lord said to them: peace be to you (John 20:19). He also commanded those entering a house to offer peace, as stated in Matthew (Matthew 10:12).

   These blessings come from God the Father, who is the giver of every gift (James 1:17), and from Christ Jesus our Lord, who, as a man, is the mediator between God and humanity: by whom he has given us most great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4).