Paul And Timothy

by J.L. Ferguson, Barrhead | Category: The Life And Work Of Paul | Aug 1971

Following his separation to the work of the Lord, Paul's first outreach was the journey by sea to the provinces of Pamphylia and Pisidia. There he was cast out of Antioch, stoned in Iconium, stoned also in Lystra (persecutions which twenty years later were still very real to him) then the great assembly planter came to Derbe, where he preached and made many disciples. After that he worked his way back through the cities which had abused him, confirming the disciples in every church he had planted. The probability is that Timothy came under the power of Paul's ministry during this first visit to these parts.

That Timothy was reached by Paul's preaching may be deduced from such expressions as "my child", "my true child in faith", and "my beloved and faithful child". Behind all this there was, of course, a devout background in Timothy's life, his Jewish mother and grandmother having taught him from infancy the Sacred Writings. Women of unfeigned faith and depth of vision, the time they spent instructing the young mind in the Scriptures was a spiritual investment which was to yield abundant dividends. His mother also may well have been reached during Paul's first visit to these parts.

Some time later, as soon as the circumcision controversy had been settled in Jerusalem, Paul returned to Derbe and Lystra, this time accompanied by Silas. In the intervening months Timothy had been commending himself to his brethren, not only in Derbe but further afield also in Lystra and Iconium. (Some consider that Timothy lived in Lystra, but we are assuming rather that he was in Derbe. Acts 16:1 is hardly conclusive either way, but the reference in verse 2 to what would appear to be the separate testimony of other two assemblies, together with the connexion with Gaius of Derbe in Acts 20:4, seems to point to Derbe as his home town.) The apostle saw in him a young life full of potential in relation to the advancing purposes of God, hence the historic words "Him would Paul have to go forth with him". So Timothy received that matchless gift of a call to dedicated, lifelong service through the laying on of Paul's hands, accompanied by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the neighbouring churches, "the presbytery", and testified to by Timothy himself in the presence of many witnesses.

Thus Timothy became a lifelong associate of the notable group, "Paul's companions in travel". The great apostle to the nations realized that he had received no single-handed assignment in his call to the work, and his brilliant discerning leadership drew to his side single-minded men whose one aim

was the advancement of the kingdom of Christ and God. In this team no one was to stand closer to Paul than Timothy.

In the company of Paul and Silas, Timothy embarked on the rigours of dangerous, pioneer travel, proceeding through Phrygia and Galatia and on to Troas, where Luke evidently joined the group. They crossed over to Europe and continued their persecuted way through Philippi, Thessalonica and Beroea. They must have been marvellous days for young Timothy, reminiscent of the time when Elijah cast his mantle upon Elisha as he ploughed; strongly affectionate Elisha, who asked leave first to kiss his parents goodbye. "Then be arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him" (1 Kings 19:21), 50 that he became known as the man who "poured water on the hands of Elijah" (2 Kings 3:11). And in the early stages of his association with Paul, Timothy was known as one "that ministered unto him" (Acts 19:22), assimilating his ways, learning his technique, generally preparing for the responsibilities which his dynamic leader was soon to put his way.

His assignments from Paul began to take shape in Beroea where he was left with Silas, and from there it may be he went also on Paul's instructions to Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:2). Meantime the leader went alone to Athens and thence to Corinth. At Corinth, encouraged by the companionship of Priscilla and Aquila, he began preaching in the synagogue. But Acts 18:5 breathes a great sense of strength through comradeship when Silas and Timothy rejoined him. Paul's ministry was not one of gentle itineration among existing assemblies, all welcoming him with open heart and home. Rather, his ministry was a sustained bombardment of Satan's kingdom, a continual assault on Jewish traditionalism, a constant vigorous wooing of his Gentile hearers. And as the assemblies grew in number so did his profound care for them. Many an unrecorded letter may well have come from his pen, written with hot burning tears. Little wonder this prodigious kingdom-worker saw to it that he had good men and true around him; men he could draw on; burden-sharers, like-minded, single-purpose men.

Timothy's next assignment was his dispatch from Ephesus to Macedonia in the company of Erastus. No longer simply serving Paul, he was now serving with him. The proving days were over, as Paul reminded the Philippians, "But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel" (Philip. 2:22).

Following this he was sent by Paul to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17).

A letter to that gifted but problem assembly was not sufficient. Paul had in mind an early visit to them, but meantime he would send his emissary who would put them in remembrance of his Christ-like ways. In the same letter (16:10) he pays a high tribute to his young collaborator, "for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do". The work of the Lord was something which, simply put, had to be worked, and Timothy completely shared this vision. Paul, the praying man, was also the tireless, indefatigable worker, breathing spiritual infection throughout his team. Appreciatively he refers to Timothy as, the preacher, the fellow-worker, the bondservant of Christ, the man of God.

Perhaps one of Timothy's most arduous assignments was when Paul and his companions were leaving Ephesus to cross over to Macedonia, and he impressed on Timothy the need to wait behind and handle certain men who had to be charged not to teach a different doctrine. The veteran's instructions were clear command, teach, be an example in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity (1 Tim. 1:3; 4:11,12). And the younger campaigner was sustained during those conflict days, when the assembly tried "them which call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false" (Rev. 2:2).

There are no references to Timothy in Acts after chapter 20. He was with Paul when he wrote Romans, was named jointly with him in six letters: to Corinth, Philippi, Colossae, Thessalonica and Philemon. He knew imprisonment in Rome with Paul and probably shared his release (Heb. 13:23). Paul's last recorded letter (2 Tim.) was appropriately addressed to him, for among all the men who comforted him in his privations and anxieties Timothy ranked high. Little wonder then that the old soldier should look affectionately and profoundly expectantly to the younger man he had so thoroughly trained for leadership. "But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come" (2 Tim. 4:5,6).

Spurgeon's letters to his students have been a great help to many young brethren during the present century. But there must be few of the Lord's young men down the long centuries of the Christian era who have not been significantly affected by Paul's inspiring counsel in his two letters to Timothy.

He points out first that everything he had personally wrought in divine service had been through the enabling grace of Christ Jesus his Lord, he himself being the chief of sinners. He charges him with what precisely he has to teach, counselling him also to match his teaching with his practice and thus to war the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. He also spells out in detail certain matters of particular personal importance, attention to which would ensure spiritual progress and stability (1 Tim. 4:13-16). Many a time, many a one has thanked God for these verses. Older and experienced brethren should more often draw alongside younger men for their counsel and encouragement. Paul the aged saw in Timothy his immediate link in the continuity of divine testimony and poured all his affection upon him and all his experienced advice into him.

This is clearly seen in such expressions in 1 Timothy 6 as "But thou, 0 man of God", and again, "0 Timothy". Paul's inmost being was pouring itself out. He calls, "... flee ... follow after... fight... keep ... charge ... guard ...". What a vigorous, counselling ministry! In his second letter, as Paul affectionately remembers the early days with his young collaborator, longing to see him, remembering his tears, his faith, again his counsel rings out, "Stir up the gift of God ... be not ashamed ... suffer hardship ... hold the pattern ... that good thing ... guard... (2 Tim. 1:6). And again, in the following chapter, be strengthened in grace, commit to others, take your part in suffering, contend lawfully, consider, remember.

What made Paul's counsel so acceptable to all his companions was the sheer weight of his own example. And so to Timothy he wrote with assurance, "But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, sufferings" (2 Tim. 3:10,11). But his days were now about over. He had fought, finished, kept. The pouring out of all he had and was, which had begun on the way into Damascus all these years before, was now almost complete. He had spent and been spent since first he left Antioch with Barnabas and John Mark, in a day when churches of God were few and localized. And as the Spirit of G9d drove him on from country to country, he had been graced to leave behind him a golden chain of assemblies, built into a Fellowship for the Son of God. But now the worn-out man of vision saw the days of declension fast approaching; days of affluence, easy-going days when precision in doctrine would matter but little. Already men who had hitherto been pillars were falling. Would his work stand? He gives his final word to a man he could trust. He had come young, tearfully, fearfully with him from Derbe, had accepted the call with all its challenging demands, had struggled on despite physical weaknesses, had fearlessly preached, taught and reproved, had amply earned the name of excellence, "man of God". It is the final word from his leader and examplar, "I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the quick and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching ..." (2 Tim. 4:1,2).

So we leave our brief consideration of two lives of great spiritual excellence, reflecting on:

1.The spiritual impact which God-fearing mothers or teachers, who will take time to do it, may have on their children. The advice of the Spartan mothers to their sons was, "Conquer or do not return".

2.The immense opportunities of service in the kingdom of God which lie in the path of young men prepared to count all else but loss for His sake. Young men of the calibre of those who, when asked after giving their missionary account, if they were not afraid to die in the land of savages, replied, "Madam, we died before we went there".

3.The proved value of men in the Lord's, work going out "two by two", teaming up with others, and in particular beckoning forward younger brethren to be with them, in fellowship with their overseers.

J.L. Ferguson, Barrhead | Aug 1971
The Life And Work Of Paul