Portland, Oregon Church  -  Affiliated with the Intercontinental Church of God and the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

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.

Portland, Oregon Church  -  Affiliated with the Intercontinental Church of God and the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association