Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 1:11
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
11. whereunto I am appointed a preacher ] Rather, for which I remember was appointed a herald. St Paul ‘magnifies his office’ here in the same terms as in 1Ti 2:7; but there to assert his authority for ruling, here to commend his example in suffering: see note.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher – That is, I am appointed to make these truths known; see the notes at Eph 3:7-8.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
2Ti 1:11
A preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
I. A public preacher is one who may discharge his office ever in one and the same place.
II. An apostle goes about everywhere; but he would have fully satisfied the requirements of his apostolic office if he had once for all declared his message.
III. Teacher. Here we have in addition diligence and perseverance in teaching: from which arose suffering. (J. A. Bengel.)
The preacher a crier
It is an argument, that the preacher brings not stolen stuff nor bad commodity. He whose fruit is best, as we see in cities, crieth loudest. A low voice in the street argueth either an ill-commodity or a false way of obtaining it. (J. Barlow, D. D.)
Not to cavil with the preacher
Again, this must teach the auditors not to cavil with the crier, but to hear the words of exhortation patiently. Some, like Festus, tell Paul, if he cry aloud, that he is beside himself; reputing the preacher rude, indiscreet, passionate. Why? Can a bell have too shrill a sound? a hound too deep or bass a mouth? a piece give too great a report? or a crier extend his voice too high? Shall not the shepherd shout when the sheep are wandering, or ready to be devoured by the wolf? Will ye not ring the bells awake, when the city is on fire? Discharge the greatest cannon, when the ship is in distress, and in danger to be lost in the haven? And shall not the preacher cry, roar, and, as John, bellow like an ox (for so the word is read), when men sleep and sink in sin, and be in hazard to be drowned and devoured by Satan, that cruel wolf, and pirate of the soul? (J. Barlow, D. D.)
The servants of God take delight to dwell and discourse of good things
(Act 20:7):–Its no burden or wearisomeness to the saints to enlarge their speech on heavenly subjects. A traveller when he hath taken a view of the situation of many towns and countries, beheld the rare monuments that he hath met withal, rejoiceth to make relation thereof unto his friends after his return; and so is it with a Christian, who is a spiritual traveller: when he hath seen into the mysteries of religion, found out the great secrets therein contained, by the painful travel of his mind, he maketh it the joy of his heart largely to discourse thereof unto his brethren. (J. Barlow, D. D.)
Love makes teachers
But did they love the gospel they neither would or could be silent; for their word, like fire in straw, would burst forth. Will not the soldier speak of his wounds, the huntsman of his hounds, and the husbandman of his cattle and grounds? And shall we love the gospel and never make mention of it? No, no: this little speech of heavenly things argueth that the love of many is but cold. Love the word once, and say nothing of it, if thou canst. (J. Barlow, D. D.)
A gospel preacher
Bramwell was a plain preacher in the States, and to some extent an uncultivated preacher; but he was frill of faith and zeal, and his ministry was attended with marvellous power. He was preaching in a little village on one occasion, and the German minister, Trubner, was induced to go and hear him. Trubner was a very cultivated scholar, and a profound critic; and when some of Bramwells friends saw him there they said, Alas! alas! for poor Bramwell, how Trubner will criticise him! Precious little did Bramwell care for him, or for all the philosophers under the sun. He preached, and set before his audience the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, and when Trubner went out of the church one of his friends said to him, How did you like him? Dont you think he wanders a good deal in his preaching? Oh, yes, said the old Lutheran, he do wander most delightfully from de subject to de heart. (The Teachers Cabinet.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 11. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher] , a herald. See Clarke on Mt 3:17.
And an apostle] Sent immediately from God to man.
A teacher] One whose business it is to instruct men, and particularly the Gentiles, to whom he was especially sent; to proclaim the doctrines of eternal life, the resurrection and final incorruptibility of the human body; and, in a word, the salvation both of the body and soul of man by Christ Jesus.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher; for the publication of which gracious counsel and purpose of God thus made manifest by Christs coming, and of that life and immortality thus by the gospel brought to light, God hath appointed me as his crier;
and an apostle; and sent me immediately as his messenger to make publication of it;
and a teacher of the Gentiles; and hath made the instructing of the heathen my peculiar province, 1Ti 2:7.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. WhereuntoFor thepublication of which Gospel.
I am appointedGreek,“I was appointed.”
preacherGreek,“herald.”
teacher of the Gentiles(1Ti 2:7). He brings forward hisown example in this verse and 2Ti1:12, as a pattern for Timothy, as a public “preacher,”an “apostle,” or missionary from place to place, anda “teacher” in private instructing His flock withpatient perseverance.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher,…. Both from eternity, in the counsel and purpose of God, Ac 9:15 and in time, by the church at Antioch, and the prophets in it, according to the express order of the Holy Ghost, Ac 13:2. And if ever there was a preacher of the Gospel, Paul was one; he preached purely, powerfully, publicly, constantly, boldly, and with all faithfulness and integrity:
and an apostle; that is, of the Gentiles, as follows, and as he elsewhere styles himself, Ro 11:13 for it does not run so smooth and easy to connect this with the word Gospel. In 2Ti 1:1, he is called the apostle of Jesus Christ, because he was sent by him; and here the apostle of the Gentiles, because, he was sent to them; and this by the same appointment, by which he became a preacher:
and a teacher of the Gentiles; though all the apostles, by their commission, were sent to teach all nations, or the Gentiles in the several parts of the world, as well as Jews; yet the apostle was eminently a teacher of them; his work chiefly lay among them; the Gospel of the uncircumcision, or the ministration of the Gospel to the uncircumcised Gentiles, was committed to him; and he was a teacher of them in faith and verity, as in 1Ti 2:7. The Alexandrian copy only reads, “and a teacher”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
For which ( ). For the gospel. See 1Ti 2:7 for this verse.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
A teacher of the Gentiles [ ] . Omit of the Gentiles. Comp. 1Ti 2:7, from which the words were probably transferred when the three Epistles were jointly edited. Paul calls himself an apostle, and describes himself as preaching [] ; but he nowhere calls himself didaskalov a teacher, although he uses didaskein to teach, of himself, 1Co 4:17; Col 1:28. He also uses didach teaching, of matter given by him to the converts, Rom 6:17; Rom 16:17; 1Co 14:6. He distinguishes between the apostle and the teacher, 1Co 12:28; Eph 4:11.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
11 To which I have been appointed Not without good reason does he so highly commend the gospel along with his apostleship. Satan labors, beyond all things else, to banish from our hearts, by every possible method, the faith of sound doctrine; and as it is not always easy for him to do this if he attack us in open war, he steals upon us by secret and indirect methods; for, in order to destroy the credibility of doctrine, he holds up to suspicion the calling of godly teachers. (146) Paul, therefore, having death before his eyes, and knowing well the ancient and ordinary snares of Satan, determined to assert not only the doctrine of the gospel in general, but his own calling. Both were necessary; for, although there be uttered long discourses concerning the dignity of the gospel, they will not be of much avail to us, unless we understand what is the gospel. Many will agree as to the general principle of the undoubted authority of the gospel, who afterwards will have nothing certain that they can follow. This is the reason why Paul expressly wishes to be acknowledged to be a faithful and lawful minister of that life-giving doctrine which he had mentioned.
A herald, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles For the reasons now stated, he adorns himself with various titles for expressing one and the same thing. He calls himself a herald, whose duty it is, to publish the commands of princes and magistrates. The word apostle is here used in its ordinary and restricted meaning. Moreover, because there is a natural relation between a teacher and his disciples, he takes to himself also this third name, that they who learn from him may know that they have a master who has been appointed to them by God. And to whom does he declare that he was appointed? To the Gentiles; for the main hinge of the controversy was about them, because the Jews denied that the promises of life belonged to any others than to the fleshly children of Abraham. In order, therefore, that the salvation of the Gentiles may not be called in question, he affirms that to them he has been especially sent by God.
(146) “ Des Docteurs ou Pasteurs fideles.” — “Of faithful Teachers or Pastors.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(11) Whereunto I am appointed a preacher . . . .Whereuntothat is, to preach the gospel referred to in the previous verse. (On these titles see 1Ti. 1:12; 1Ti. 2:7.) In all his deep humiliation, a solitary prisoner awaiting death, deserted by his friends, St. Paul, with solemn emphasis, rehearses the titles of dignity which, by his Masters appointment, he possessed in the Christian Church. The poor prisoner, waiting his summons to a painful death, wished his last charge to go forth with all the authority of an Apostle, adding, however, in the next verse, that his present sufferings were entailed on him, owing to this very position in the Christian community to which his Master had called him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Whereunto To this most glorious gospel.
Appointed Not by my own assumption, but by divine will. 2Ti 1:1.
A preacher A herald; for so the Greek word signifies. A herald was an appointed messenger in war from one side to the other, whose person was sacred while in performance of his duties. Often was he the bearer of terms of peace; hence weapons of war must be quiet in his presence.
Apostle Note, Mat 10:1-2; Luk 1:2.
Of the Gentiles Which most of the Ephesian Church were.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Unto which I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.’
These words are central in the chiasmus. It is because of this appointment that he has to suffer. That is why he is in chains. It is the final proof of his Apostleship. For it is the united testimony of the Old Testament that all appointed by God had to face trials and testing, and even death. And how then can he, a proclaimer of the Gospel, an appointed Apostle, and a Spirit inspired teacher, expect to be exempt? Here is the explanation for his chains. He is God’s man. And the world is doing to him whatever it will (Joh 15:19).
Paul must have paused here for a moment of wonder before he carried on. It was to this wonderful Gospel, the Gospel of life, that he had been appointed as a preacher (herald, proclaimer), Apostle and teacher,. It was so great a privilege for a mere man to have that he could hardly believe it. But he must therefore accept what came with the job.
But this was also a word to Timothy. He was saying, ‘You see Timothy, God has given me a huge privilege, and so I must also suffer, just as you may have to suffer. The two go together. Here I am, a preacher, an Apostle and a teacher acting in God’s Name, and so like Jeremiah of old (Jer 32:2; Jer 33:1; Jer 37:15-16; Jer 37:21; Jer 38:28) I must lie in this dark lonely cell, with few who are willing to stand by me. It goes with the job. But it does not concern me, because I know of One Who even now stands by me. He is the One in Whom I have believed, and in Whom I have the fullest confidence. And He is here with me now. And I know that He will guard what I have committed to Him against that Day. All is safe in His hands. And you, Timothy, you must be ready for it too. For that is what being a preacher and a teacher of the word of God involves.’
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Ti 1:11 . . . .] With these words the apostle turns to his office and his suffering in his office, in correspondence with . . , 2Ti 1:8 . The relative does not refer to the thoughts expressed in the previous verses, but to : “ for which ,” i.e. in order to preach it. Comp. the parallel passages in 1Ti 2:7 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Ver. 11. A teacher of the Gentiles ] His writings therefore should be the more highly prized and studied by us Gentiles, as being properly ours; like as Psa 127:1 , was a song made (specially) for Solomon.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ti 1:11 . , . . .: See 1Ti 2:7 , where these words are also found, and the note on 1Ti 1:11 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Whereunto = Unto (Greek. eis) which.
am = was.
preacher. App-121.
Gentiles. Greek. ethnos, Compare Act 22:21; Act 28:28. Rom 11:13; Rom 11:15, Rom 11:16. Gal 1:16; Gal 2:2. Eph 3:1, Eph 3:8. 1Ti 2:7.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ti 1:11. , of the Gentiles) Construe this not only with teacher, but also with preacher and apostle. There are three designations, preacher, apostle, teacher. I. A public preacher is one who may discharge his office even in one and the same place. II. An apostle goes about everywhere; but he would have fully satisfied the requirements of his apostolic office, if he had once for all declared his message. III. Teacher. Here we have in addition diligence and perseverance in teaching; from which arose suffering.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Ti 1:11
whereunto I was appointed a preacher,-A preacher is a herald or first proclaimer as distinct from teacher. In the Scripture the term preacher or herald or original proclaimer is used in a different sense from the word teacher of its principles.
and an apostle,-The person and work of the Son of God had to be declared publicly, heralded in fact, and this was the first duty of an apostle, as one sent to proclaim Jesus to be a Prince and a Savior.
and a teacher.-[Having persuaded men to accept the teaching of Jesus, and having baptized them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, he was to teach them all that Jesus had commanded-all the beauties of the Christian life.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Act 9:15, Eph 3:7, Eph 3:8, 1Ti 1:7, 1Ti 2:7
Reciprocal: Joh 7:35 – teach Joh 15:16 – ordained Act 13:2 – they Act 22:21 – for Act 26:17 – the Gentiles Rom 1:1 – called Rom 11:13 – the apostle Rom 15:16 – I should 1Co 9:1 – I not an 2Co 3:6 – hath Gal 1:16 – that Gal 2:7 – the gospel of the uncircumcision Eph 3:2 – ye Eph 3:5 – in other Phi 1:17 – that Col 1:23 – whereof 1Ti 1:1 – by 1Ti 1:11 – which Tit 1:3 – which Jam 3:1 – be
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ti 1:11. After the facts of the Gospel had taken place, they had to be made known to mankind, in Order that they might be heard of and believed (Rom 10:14). For this purpose Paul was appointed as one of the preachers as stated in the passage just cited. But a mere preacher could not spread the good news without being sent with power to speak with inspiration, as Rom 10:15 declares, hence Paul now states that he was appointed to be an apostle, which is defined in the lexicon as, “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.” Teacher of the Gentiles. All nations were to be offered the blessings of the Gospel, but Paul was chosen by the Lord to be sent especially to the Gentiles (Act 9:15; Eph 3:8; 1Ti 2:7).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Ti 1:11. A preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. There is something characteristic in the way in which Paul the aged, here and in 1Ti 2:7, where we find the same combination, accumulates one word upon another to express the greatness of his vocation. He is at once the herald, the envoy, the instructor. In this way only does he allow himself to magnify his office.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
2Ti 1:11-12. Whereunto For proclaiming which good news; I am appointed a preacher , a herald; and an apostle Invested with an extraordinary commission, and furnished with spiritual gifts to make me a successful teacher of the Gentiles That is, of them chiefly. For which Namely, my preaching to the Gentiles; I suffer these things By assigning his preaching salvation to the Gentiles through Christ, without obedience to the law of Moses, as the cause of his second bonds in Rome, he hath insinuated that the unbelieving Jews were active in getting him imprisoned, and tried for his life as a criminal. Macknight. Nevertheless Though my condition may seem infamous; I am not ashamed Either of my doctrine or of my sufferings. For I know whom I have believed That is, whose word and promise I have credited, and to whom I have trusted all my important concerns: I know his power, and love, and faithfulness; and am persuaded, fully satisfied, he is able to keep that which I have committed to him , my deposite, until that day Of final retribution; meaning, undoubtedly, his immortal soul, or his whole person, soul and body. Thus Peter, (1Pe 4:19,) Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him, (or, as may be included, the preservation, or, if taken away, the restoration, of the life of their bodies,) in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator, who never did, and never will, deceive, or disappoint the hopes of any that trust in him.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Whereunto: What is Paul appointed to? The Gospel of the previous verse. This is the sum and substance of all this saving/calling of the passage, in Paul’s own life – an illustration, if you will, of what he has been talking about.
First of all let us apply briefly the truth that there are preachers and there are teachers. They may be one and the same, or they may not be. Just because someone can teach does not mean he can preach, and vice versa as well.
When you know you have a great teacher, don’t force them into preaching unless they are gifted and prepared for that ministry.
Let’s see what a preacher and a teacher are.
Preacher is the Greek word kerux which means according to the lexicon a herald or messenger vested with public authority, who conveyed the official messages of kings, magistrates, princes, military commanders, or who gave a public summons or demand, and performed various other duties. In the New Testament Gods ambassador, and the herald or proclaimer of the divine word.
Teacher is the Greek word “didaskalos” which is used of one that teaches others the Word of God, it is used of Christ as well as Paul and others. One that is able and prepared to share and instruct others in the principles of the Word.
Teaching is one of the spiritual gifts. One ought not teach if they do not know they have the gift of teaching – they may impart some truth, and some information, but they will not do it as effectively as one that is gifted in this area.
We were interim-pastor at a little Bible church in a little town in Wyoming for about a year. They had two Sunday school teachers while we were there – one was gifted and one was not. The ungifted one imparted information, but very poorly and often incorrectly. The gifted man was an old farmer that had been plowing the Word as long as he had been plowing his fields. His crop of spiritual truths was as great as his crops of wheat and corn. He simply shared what God was giving to him and doing it in a simple, yet effective manner. He was gifted of the Spirit to instruct His saints effectively.
Paul was all three – preacher, apostle, and teacher. He was the proclaimer, the messenger and the purveyor of truth. No matter the need of the people or situation that he came upon he was gifted and prepared to share the gospel with all.
It is of note to me that he did not feel he was gifted as an evangelist. He was a preacher and teacher but evangelism was not a strength. This runs counter to our impression of Paul at times.
It is important to know what your gift is and to use it properly. This includes stopping the use of it in a particular place when it is no longer needed.
Several times I have seen men that were well gifted in evangelism that were able to gather a group of new believers together into a local church, however they weren’t sharp enough to know that they weren’t pastors. They out lived their usefulness to the assembly and ultimately drove away the people he was supposed to be shepherding.
I have also seen men with this gift gather their flock and leave as soon as they saw that there was a need for a shepherd – these assemblies flourished.
A few men are both evangelist and pastor – they can establish a church and then shepherd it. I have also observed these men and again, the churches flourish.
Paul knew what his gifts were and used them to the ultimate level in his life. We ought do the same.
The next verse is one that we all have heard, but seldom if ever have we heard it in its own context.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
1:11 {5} Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
(5) That is, the Gospel which the apostle preached.