Thomas Aquinas

This epistle is divided into the salutation and the epistolary narration, at "as I asked." Concerning the first he does three things: first the person saluting is set down, second the person saluted, third the goods wished for.

Now he describes the person saluting, first from the name "Paul," which befits authority on account of two things. For in the apostolate there are two things, namely the height of power, to which the humble are exalted. 1 Kings 15:17: "when you were little in your own eyes, you were made head over the tribes of Israel." And "Paul" means small. Likewise the clarity of wisdom, and this the Lord grants to the little ones. Matthew 11:25: "you have revealed these things to little ones," etc. Second, from authority, because "apostle," that is, sent. John 20:21: "as the Father sent me." 1 Corinthians 9:2: "you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord." Third, from the origin of this authority, whence he says "of Jesus Christ according to the command of God," etc. Acts 13:2: "separate for me Barnabas and Saul unto the work for which I have taken them." 1 Kings 13:14: "the Lord sought for himself a man according to his own heart," etc. From which it is clear that prelates are bound by necessity of precept to those things which belong to their proper office. 1 Corinthians 9:16: "for woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel." And "of Christ Jesus our hope," who is our hope, that we may come to him. Philippians 1:23: "having a desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ," etc. Or "of our hope," because through him we hope to obtain the eternal goods. 1 Peter 1:3: "he has regenerated us unto a living hope," etc. Romans 15:4: "that through the consolation of the Scriptures we may have hope."

He describes the person saluted in three ways. First from the name, when he says "to Timothy," concerning whom see Acts 16. Likewise from affection, saying "beloved." Philippians 2:20: "I have no one so like-minded," etc. Likewise from sonship, saying "son in the faith," namely converted by him. 1 Corinthians 4:17: "I have sent to you Timothy, my dearest son, and faithful in the Lord," etc.

Then first he sets down the goods wished for, and afterward shows from whom they are. But it must be known that in the other epistles two are set down, here three, because prelates need more. And therefore he says "grace and mercy," first for himself, and then for others. And here "mercy" is taken for the remission of sins, because this is from the mercy of God; but "grace" for the gift of graces, which prelates need. Or "grace," as in the others, for justifying grace, but "mercy" for the divine gift exalting in spiritual charisms. Wisdom 4:15: "the grace of God and his mercy is upon his saints, and his regard is upon his elect." And "peace," namely with you, and through you with others. Psalm 71:3: "let the mountains receive peace." But from where? "From God," that they may give it to the people. James 1:17: "every best gift, and every perfect gift is from above, descending from the Father of lights." And "Christ Jesus our Lord," namely through whom he has given to us the greatest and precious promises, 2 Peter 1:2.