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SUBJECT: 1 Timothy 1:1 and term Saviour
QUESTION: In this verse, is God being referred to as our
Saviour? I thought just Jesus was our Saviour.
ANSWER:
Both God, the Father and Jesus Christ are referred to as
Saviour in the scriptures. In this scripture, God, the
Father is the one being referred to.
1 Timothy 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God
our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
Notice the commentary:
1 Timothy 1:1
[Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ;] see the notes on
Romans 1:1.
[By the commandment of God] See the notes at 1
Corinthians 1:1.
[Our Saviour] The name Saviour is as applicable to
God the Father as to the Lord Jesus Christ, since God is the
great Author of salvation; see the notes, Luke 1:47; compare
1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:10; Jude 25.
[And Lord Jesus Christ] The apostle Paul had received
his commission directly from him; see the notes, Gal
1:11-12. ~from Barnes' Notes
Notice now the commentary for 1 Cor. 1:1 as directed by the
above commentary on 1 Timothy 1:1
1 Corinthians 1:1
[Through the will of God] Not by human appointment,
or authority, but in accordance with the will of God, and
His command. That WILL was made known to him by the special
revelation granted to him at his conversion, and call to the
apostleship; Acts 9. Paul often refers to the fact that he
had received a direct commission from God, and that he did
not act on his own authority; compare Galatians 1:11-12; 1
Corinthians 9:1-6; 2 Corinthians 11:22-33; 12:1-12. There
was a special reason why he commenced this Epistle by
referring to the fact that he was divinely called to the
apostleship. It arose from the fact that his apostolic
authority had been called in question by the false teachers
at Corinth. That this was the case is apparent from the
general strain of the Epistle, from some particular
expressions (2 Corinthians 10:8-10); and from the fact that
he is at so much pains throughout the two epistles to
establish his divine commission. ~from
Barnes' Notes
We see a couple of things from the commentary (actually
the Word of God--the commentary helping us understand):
1) Christ is the Saviour. Most spiritual conversations
refer to Jesus as the Saviour.
2) The title "Saviour" can be applied to both Jesus and God,
the Father.
Notice the quoted scriptures:
Luke 1:47
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
1 Timothy 4:10
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we
trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men,
specially of those that believe.
Titus 2:10
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Jude 25
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty,
dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
What we gather from several commentaries is that 1 Timothy
1:1 is saying:
1) Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ.
2) He is an apostle by the commandment of God
3) God is here referred to as Saviour
4) Jesus is here referred to as our hope
On point 3, some more commentary...
1 Timothy 1:1-4
God is characterized by the name Saviour, an exalted title
reminding one of Isa 45:21, and similar passages. ~from
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary
Add this commentary to the verses above which state that God
the Father is also Saviour.
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