Paul’s Calling.2 Timothy 1:10-11.
And which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.
Dear Citizens of the New Jerusalem,
We continue with the thought from the previous section about the grace of God that was decreed by God before creation.
Revealed (v. 10a). The coming of Christ into the world was the demonstration of the eternal plan of God. To the people of his time, he was just another rabbi. Maybe an exceptional one, but still a rabbi. Many things that look ordinary were decreed in eternity past and are a fulfillment of the plan of God, but it may not always be immediately evident.
Resurrected (v. 10b). The gospel is the proclamation of the risen Christ. If the resurrection had not happened, our faith would be the tragic story of a good man whose life ended prematurely. But by the resurrection, Christ “abolished death and brought life and immortality.” We still die but the hope of being raised again, as Christ was, takes the sting out of death (1 Corinthians 15:55). The gospel is the good news of this hope.
Resounded (v. 11). Paul was appointed to proclaim this gospel. He was given three responsibilities:
Preacher – The responsibility of the preacher is to call people to repentance and faith.
Apostle – The apostle represents the one who sent him. Paul and other apostles were emissaries of Christ. That is why their teaching is normative for us as followers of Christ.
Teacher – The teacher explains, expounds, and clarifies the gospel and helps those who have believed to understand more fully what they have believed. Each of us is called to some responsibility. You?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.