1 Timothy 2 · Verse 7

1 Timothy 2:7

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
1 Timothy 2:7, King James Version

1 Timothy 2:7 in other translations

BSBFor this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.
WEBto which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
ASVwhereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
YLTin regard to which I was set a preacher and apostle--truth I say in Christ, I do not lie--a teacher of nations, in faith and truth.
DARBYto which I have been appointed a herald and apostle, (I speak the truth, I do not lie,) a teacher of the nations in faith and truth.
BBEAnd of this I became a preacher and an Apostle (what I say is true, not false,) and a teacher of the Gentiles in the true faith.
WebsterFor which I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

What does 1 Timothy 2:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. Whereunto--For the giving of which testimony. I am ordained--literally, "I was set": the same Greek, as "putting me," &c. (1Ti 1:12). preacher--literally, "herald" (1Co 1:21; 9:27; 15:11; 2Ti 1:11; Tit 1:3). He recurs to himself, as in 1Ti 1:16, in himself a living pattern or announcement of the Gospel, so here "a herald and teacher of (it to) the Gentiles" (Ga 2:9; Ep 3:1-12; Col 1:23). The universality of his commission is an appropriate assertion here, where he is arguing to prove that prayers are to be made "for all men" (1Ti 2:1). I speak the truth ... and lie not--a strong asseveration of his universal commission, characteristic of the ardor of the apostle, exposed to frequent conflict (Ro 11:1; 2Co 11:13). in faith and verity--rather, "in the faith and the truth." The sphere in which his ministry was appointed to be exercised was the faith and the truth (1Ti 2:4): the Gospel truth, the subject matter of the faith [Wiesinger].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. Whereunto. Gr., "Unto which;" that is, to the bearing of which testimony I am appointed.

I am ordained. Gr., "I am placed or constituted" ετεθην. The word "ordain" has now acquired a technical signification, meaning to set apart solemnly to a sacred office by the imposition of hands; but it has not that meaning here. It does not refer to the manner in which he was set apart, or to any act of others in consecrating him to this work, but merely to the fact that he had been placed in this office, or appointed to it. He refers, doubtless, to the fact that the Lord Jesus had designated him to this work.

A preacher and an apostle. 1Cor 9:1, and following. Gal 1:11, also Gal 1:12.

I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not. That is, by Christ; or I solemnly appeal to Christ--a form of an oath. Rom 9:1. Paul makes a solemn declaration similar to this in regard to his call to the apostleship, in Gal 1:20. For the reasons why he did it, Gal 1:20. It is probable that there were those in Ephesus who denied that he could be an apostle, and hence his solemn declaration affirming it.

A teacher of the Gentiles. Specially appointed to carry the gospel to the gentiles or the heathen. Rom 11:13; Gal 2:7.

In faith and verity. These words mean that he was appointed to instruct the Gentiles in faith and the knowledge of the truth.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 I am ordained a preacher - I am set apart, ετεθην, appointed. The word does not imply any imposition of hands by either bishop or presbytery, as is vulgarly supposed. I speak the truth in Christ - As I have received my commission from him, so I testify his truth. I did not run before I was sent; and I speak nothing but what I have received. A teacher of the Gentiles - Being specially commissioned to preach the Gospel, not to the Jews, but to the nations of the world. In faith and verity - Faithfully and truly; preaching the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth; and this fervently, affectionately, and perseveringly. Instead of εν πιστει, in faith, the Cod. Alexand. has εν πνευματι, in spirit. "A teacher of the Gentiles in spirit and truth."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Timothy 2:1-7

The disciples of Christ must be praying people; all, without distinction of nation, sect, rank, or party. Our duty as Christians, is summed up in two words; godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, good conduct toward all men. These must go together: we are not truly honest, if we are not godly, and do not render to God his due; and we are not truly godly, if not honest. What is…

Read the full comment on 1 Timothy 2:1-7 →

1 Timothy 2:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἰςeisin regard toG1519
ὃhowhichG3739
ἐτέθηνetethēnwas appointedG5087
ἐγὼegōI myselfG1473
κῆρυξkēruxa heraldG2783
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀπόστολος,apostolosan apostle —G652
ἀλήθειανalētheian[the] truthG225
λέγωlegōI am speakingG3004
ἐνeninG1722
Χριστῷ,ChristōChristG5547
οὐounotG3756
ψεύδομαι,pseudomaiI do lie —G5574
διδάσκαλοςdidaskalosa teacherG1320
ἐθνῶνethnōnof [the] GentilesG1484
ἐνeninG1722
πίστειpisteifaithG4102
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀληθείᾳ.¶alētheiatruth.G225

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Timothy 2:7

  • Acts 9:15

    But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

  • 2 Timothy 1:11

    Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

  • Romans 9:1

    I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

  • Ephesians 3:7-8

    Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

  • Romans 15:16

    That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:8-10

    Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

  • Galatians 2:9

    And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

  • Galatians 1:20

    Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

  • Romans 11:13

    For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

  • Galatians 1:16

    To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

  • Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

    The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

  • Acts 14:27

    And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I am.
1:11,12
a preacher.
Ec 1:1,2,12; 7:27; 12:8-10; Ro 10:14; Eph 3:7,8; 2Ti 1:11; 2Pe 2:5
I speak.
Ro 1:9; 9:1; 2Co 11:31; Ga 1:20
a teacher.
Joh 7:35; Ac 9:15; 22:21; 26:17,18,20; Ro 11:13; 15:16; Ga 1:16; 2:9
in faith.
Ac 14:27; Ga 2:16; 3:9
verity.
Ps 111:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Timothy 2:6

    Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

  • 1 Timothy 2:7

    Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

  • 1 Timothy 2:8

    I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Read all of 1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		De lo que yo soy puesto por predicador y apóstol, (digo verdad en Cristo, no miento) doctor de los Gentiles en fidelidad y verdad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		pour lequel moi, j’ai été établi prédicateur et apôtre (je dis la vérité, je ne mens pas), docteur des nations dans la foi et dans la vérité.
German
Elberfelder 1871		wozu ich bestellt worden bin als Herold und Apostel, ein Lehrer der Nationen, in Glauben und Wahrheit.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		in quo positus sum ego prædicator, et Apostolus (veritatem dico, non mentior) doctor gentium in fide, et veritate.