1:1–2 · Salutation: Timothy is under attack. Appropriately, then, Paul begins by calling attention to the fact that it is only by the command of God that he himself is an apostle. In so doing, Paul underlines not only his but also Timothy’s authority. Paul’s primary purpose in this letter (see 1 Tim. 3:14–15) is to bring the church together as God’s family. Thus he begins by recognizing Timothy as his own true son in the faith. (For Paul’s becoming “father” to Timothy, see Acts 16:1–3.) Three times Paul stresses that we are to place our hope in God alone and not in human devices (4:1–10, not in harsh regimens of self-denial; 5:5, not in our human family structures; 6:17, not in wealth). Significantly, Paul calls Christ Jesus our hope. God alone saves, and he does that through his divine S…