John Chrysostom

Great and admirable is the dignity of an Apostle, and we find Paul constantly setting forth the causes of it, not as if he took the honor to himself, but as intrusted with it, and being under the necessity of so doing. For when he speaks of himself as "called," and that "by the will of God," and again elsewhere, "a necessity is laid upon me" (1 Cor. ix. 16.), and when he says, "for this I was separated," by these expressions all idea of arrogance and ambition is removed. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 1 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since he intends to write regulations to Timothy, he proclaims himself an apostle, so as to make his word worthy of unquestioning acceptance. I shall not be uttering my own words, he says, but those of Him who sent me; see to it, then, that you are obedient. But since the title of apostle was great, lest it should seem that he was boasting, he added: Not of myself, he says, did I seize this, but I have an urgent debt and am fulfilling a command of the Master. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Ignatius of Antioch

None of these things is hid from you, if ye perfectly possess that faith and love towards Christ Jesus which are the beginning and the end of life. For the beginning is faith, and the end is love. Now these two, being inseparably connected together, are of God, while all other things which are requisite for a holy life follow after them. No man [truly] making a profession of faith sinneth; nor does he that possesses love hate any one. …

Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

This epistle is divided into greeting and the message, at as I desired you. In the greeting he does three things: First, he mentions the person who sends the greeting; second, the persons greeted; third, the good he wishes him. The person who sends the greeting is described, first of all, by his name, Paul, a name which is suited to one in authority for two reasons. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗