Thomas Aquinas

This epistle divides into a salutation and a treatise, at *we give thanks*, etc. Likewise, first the persons saluting are set down; second, the persons saluted, at *to them who are*; third, the goods wished for, at *grace to you*. Concerning the first, first the principal person is set down; second, the one joined to him, at *and Timothy*. The principal one is touched first from his name, *Paul*, that is, humble. For such as these grasp wisdom. Matthew 11: *you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them to little ones*. And therefore he teaches it. Second, from his office, namely *apostle*, that is, one sent, namely to procure the salvation of the faithful. Acts 13: *set apart for me Saul and Barnabas for the work to which I have taken them*. John 20: *as the Father sent me, I also send you*. And *apostle*, not of just anyone, but *of Jesus Christ*, whose glory he seeks, not his own. 2 Corinthians 4: *for we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord, and ourselves your servants through Jesus*. But some at times arrive at office from the wrath of God on account of the sin of the people. Job 34: *who makes a hypocrite reign on account of the sins of the people*. Hosea 13: *I will give you a king in my fury*. And therefore he says *through the will of God*, namely his good pleasure. Jeremiah 3: *I will give you shepherds according to my own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine*. The person joined is Timothy, so that, namely, every word may stand in the mouth of two or three, as is said in Deuteronomy 17. Proverbs 18: *a brother who is helped by a brother is like a strong city*. The persons saluted are set down at *to them*, etc. The saints are called the greater ones. Luke 1: *let us serve him in holiness and justice before him*. The faithful are called the lesser ones, who at least hold the true faith, because *without faith it is impossible to please God*, as is said in Hebrews 11. Or *to the saints*, that is, sanctified in Baptism, and *the faithful*, that is, remaining in the faith received. Proverbs 28: *a faithful man shall be much praised*, etc. Then the goods wished for are set down, namely *grace*, which is the principle of every good. Romans 3: *justified freely through his grace*. *Peace*, which is the final good of all things. Psalm 147: *who has placed peace in your borders*. And consequently he wishes for all the intermediate goods. And this *from God*, Psalm 83: *the Lord will give grace and glory*; *of our Father*, namely of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is, by nature, but our Father by grace, *and of the Lord Jesus Christ*, and thus *our Father*, namely God in the Trinity, *and the Lord Jesus Christ*, as regards the nature assumed.