2 Timothy 1:10-11 10but has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who did away with death and brought life and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.
God’s purpose and grace is found Jesus Christ and has been part of God’s plan before time began. This plan has now been revealed as eternity has now connected with the human condition at a specific point in time. All of eternity and time came to a focal point at the death and resurrection of our Savior Christ Jesus. The kingdom of God came in power in the person of Jesus. A new age began with the victory of Jesus over the power of sin and death. Jesus, as the one mediator(1 Timothy 2:5), brought salvation to all who will believe.
Two attributive participles describe what happened when Christ Jesus became one with us in our humanity, suffering the death in our behalf. These participles express opposite ideas: did away with and brought to light. The actions express the impact of Christ’s redemption on the human condition. First, Christ conquered the power of death through his resurrection and will finally defeat the effect of death when he comes again and raises those who believe in him (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).
Second, his resurrection reveals the opportunity for eternal life, expressed here as immortality. This word (aphtharsian) is used for something that is not subject to decay. Death brings decay. If death is removed through resurrection, there will be no more decay. We will one day have imperishable bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42, 50, 53-54).
The destruction of death and the promise of life are found in the message of the gospel. Paul had devoted his life to this message. He describes his ministry in three ways, which are mentioned again in 2:7. The primary way Paul got his message out was as a preacher. A preacher is one who announces important news, in this case, the best news ever. Paul’s mission was as an appointed apostle who was sent out especially to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He also had a ministry as a teacher who built up the church by training leaders (2:20).
Not all believers will have a special calling like Paul, but all people can participate in the special invitation of the gospel. God may call some to specialized ministries of equipping the saints, but every believers has an important part in getting the message out in the areas of influence we may have. We do not need to invent a message or stress over the results of our witness. The gospel has a universal call to all who will listen.
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