2 TIMOTHY 1
Notice the terms of endearment expressed by Paul to Timothy: “my dear son” (v2); ” night and day I remember you in my prayers. Remembering your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
Some may think that affections are not to be entertained in being victorious Christians; perhaps they consider it a kind of weakness – but let us remember that Jesus felt tender compassion for the crowd, and He wept at the scene facing the death of Lazarus. In our worship of God, the Spirit may touch us and cause tears of deep gratitude to flow as we meditate on the wondrous love of the Triune God. Loving God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength certainly include loving Him in our affections. There is a special bond in the relationship between Paul and Timothy that shames us in our lack of affections for God and the brethren.
Paul went on to remind Timothy on how he had been positively helped to believe in his faith by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (v5). What a wonderful testimony of witnessimg in the home by the example and life of family members! Surely we are reminded that witnessing is not just by our words but also by our lives, and surely the ‘life’ is seen at close quarters by those who live among us. It is not incidental that Paul earlier told Timothy in 1 Timothy that elders must manage their own families well if they desire to manage God’s household well in the church. Ler us take care that our Christian life is consistent, at home, at work and in the church. There is no room for hypocrisy and a ‘double-life’ in being disciples of Christ.
Like Timothy, some of us may be more prone to express our emotions, and perhaps even be a little timid, but Paul exhorted Timothy to remember that God has given us a spirit of love, power, and discipline, and despite our different personalities, we can be bold in the Lord, and also join the faithful believers in suffering fir the gospel. In our weakness, we find strength in God and greater dependence in Him alone to do what is required and to stand firm and immovable for the sake of the gospel(vv7-8).
Paul went on to exhort Timothy to keep what Paul had expressed to him, keeping the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Notice the appearance again of ‘faith’ and ‘love’, so very essential and indispensable in Christian discipleship (vv13-14).
Lest we find this task impossible, Paul quickly reminded Timothy to guard what was entrusted to him with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in Timothy and all true believers.
This we can do even if others desert us, just like in the experience of Paul himself. He shared: “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me” (v15). It can be very difficult and painful to go through such situations, but Paul was certainly clear that this was,9 and is the calling of all true Christians, even those who are fearful and timid, fir God has given us the Spirit to see us through.
2 TIMOTHY 2
“…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (vs 1-2)
We would remember the Lord Jesus, in giving the Great Commission, telling the followers to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’, ….’teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’ (Matt. 28:19-20).
It is interesting to note that the Apostle Paul was telling Timothy the ‘same thing’ – entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others – Paul was actually enunciating one of the main tasks in the Great Commission and in the making of disciples – teaching others who in turn can pass them on to other reliable individuals who then transmit them further to yet others – all in the context of churchlife and in the community of believers.
The elaboration: “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words. It is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter,…”
Notice that the teaching is from the Scripture and the Word of God – the one who teaches must ensure accurately handling the word of truth – it is not based on godless chatter, speculations, arguments – it is to be carried out in a manner approved by God (vv l4-16) – and the outcome is ‘making disciples’, effecting transformation into godliness.
Paul also reminded Timothy and all those in the ministry of disciple-making and teaching that they should ensure that they are prepared for suffering for the sake of the gospel. Also, what is prominently highlighted includes discipline, godly focus, keeping the objective and goal clearly, diligence, vigilance and not being side-tracked by other unimportant issues (hence the examples given of a good soldier, a victorious athlete, and a hardworking farmer in vv. 3-6).
Paul repeated the communication: “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this” (vs7).
But Paul did not fail to reiterate the importance of holiness and purity of life and motives: “Those who cleanse themselves ,,,will be instrumental for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (vs21). Holiness and purity of motive are paramount in the eyes of God for those who serve Him and are responsible to teach others and to communicate the truth in the Word of God.