While it may be obvious, it is nonetheless significant, that Timothy did not write any of the Scriptures himself. All of the references to Timothy in the Scriptures, are that which is written about him, or to him. What makes this fact noteworthy is, that it can be more important what others say about you, than what you might say about yourself. As we look at some of these references to Timothy in the scriptures, we shall discover that there is much that we can learn about the kind of person he is. In doing so, we will find much to credit him with an enviable character worthy of a role model for others to follow.First and Second Timothy are letters written by Paul to a young man named Timothy, with the intention they are to be passed along for public reading to the churches. We know from our reading of Paul’s letters to Timothy that they had developed a mutual bond of love and respect for each other. Spiritually speaking, they had a father and son relationship. Timothy may very well have been converted under Paul’s ministry, and thus we find, that Paul refers to him as "a son in the faith". By implication Paul considers himself taking on the role of a spiritual father.
Acts 16:1 introduce Timothy to us, as living in the city of Lystra located in southern Asia Minor. This verse also tells us about his heritage by saying, that his mother was a Jewess and a believer, and that his father was a Greek. The next verse lets us know that Timothy was well liked by others who knew him, and in verse 3, Paul enlists Timothy to travel with him on his journeys. II Timothy 1:5 tells us his mother’s name is Eunice, and also that his grandmother’s name is Lois in whom first dwelt an unfeigned faith. An unfeigned faith means a faith that was not hypocritical, but genuine and sincere, in which Paul is persuaded was in Timothy as well.
II Timothy 3:15 tells us, Timothy was instructed in the Scriptures from his youth, and so even though he grew up with a mixed heritage of Greek and Jewish culture, he was well versed in the knowledge of God. There is not much known about Timothy’s father, but it can be considered that since Jewish boys would have been circumcised, and Timothy was not circumcised until later by Paul, that his father had a Greek influence in the family. It might be thought that Timothy’s father had died before Paul met Timothy, and thus Paul’s expressions of fatherly love and affection for Timothy would not be interfering with his natural father.
Of all the people in scripture, pastors would most like to have a congregation full of people with the same integrity and character as Timothy. Timothy had proved himself faithful to Paul in the work of the ministry. Timothy had proved he was of the same heart and mind as the apostle. He was not as one who would assert his own way, but rather was content to be of whatever help to Paul as he could. Paul could trust Timothy to willingly follow the leadership directions he was given. When Paul was concerned about the fragile Christian communities he left behind in Thessalonica, and Philippi he sent Timothy to them. Timothy’s mission was successful, and he returned to Paul with "good news of your faith and love" (I Thes. 3:1-3,6). It is no wonder that any ministry’s success would be greatly enhanced by men like Timothy.
So, we can readily see how useful a person such as Timothy was to the apostle, and would be to any Church leader. But it is just as important to see how Paul had taken Timothy under his guidance. Timothy was like a son to Paul, but Paul was also like a father, and invested his time and effort to mold Timothy into a Godly disciple of the Lord. Sadly, it has been my own experience that Church leaders are more inclined toward their own personal advancements, than they are in nurturing the gifts that God has given to them by way of dedicated servants such as Timothy.
All to often leaders bear more of the burden for ministry than God intends. Just as Paul could not do everything himself, nor could he be everywhere at once, he appointed those whom he has trained in the work; those whom he has "fathered"; those whom he has invested of himself; those to whom he has given the authority to go in his stead, as representatives of himself to the churches. In this way, Paul could be left free to continue his calling as an apostle and travel to raise up new churches where ever he would go.
Paul left Timothy in charge of the church at Ephesus. And so we see that even while chained in prison, and waiting certain death, his final thoughts are practical instructions and encouragement to Timothy by way of letters. Paul, discouraged that many have deserted him, is also encouraged that Timothy remains faithful, and dedicated to his calling. Much to Timothy’s credit, is the request by Paul, that Timothy would come to be with him in his final hours in Rome.
Whether God calls us into a leadership position of ministry; or a position of support for an other’s position of leadership; we can learn much from the relationship demonstrated by example, between these two great men of God. As a leader, let us walk worthy of that calling and raise up Godly men to follow. As a disciple, let us also learn to follow in trustworthy obedience, and sacrificial dedication to the will and purpose of God, those He has placed in authority over us in our life.
AMEN.
