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1 Timothy 1:1
ESV Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
NIV Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
NASB Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,
CSB Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope:
NLT This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.
KJV Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
NKJV Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

What does 1 Timothy 1:1 mean?

Paul begins with his name, his spiritual title, and the authority behind that title. At this time, he was known as Paul, though his birth name was Saul. He would leave his birth name behind during his first missionary journey (Acts 13:9). Prior to his conversion, Paul (Saul) was a rabid opponent of the Christian church. First Timothy 1:13 will describe some of Paul's early attitude towards the gospel, which included persecuting believers (1 Corinthians 15:9).

As for his title, Paul calls himself "an apostle of Christ Jesus." Unlike many letters in which he calls himself a "bondservant," Paul here emphasizes his authority. This was likely due to his letter's focus: urging Timothy to stand strong against false teachers. He also did not use the title to brag—Paul acknowledges he is an apostle of Christ Jesus only by the will of Christ Jesus. He was both converted and made to serve according to God's will.

Further, Paul calls God "our" Savior, emphasizing the common faith between himself and Timothy. This statement also presumes that both God and Jesus are divine. This letter often mentions hope, saying their hope is "set on the living God" (1 Timothy 4:10), widows "hope on God" (1 Timothy 5:5), and not to set our hopes "on the uncertainty of riches" (1 Timothy 6:17).
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