2 Timothy 1:8-18

2 Timothy 1:8-18

Paul, having called Timothy to a courageous standard, now gives him the application of that standard. He calls Timothy to join with him in suffering for the gospel. Unlike so much of American Christianity, the focus of Paul was not on man, man's needs, man's potential, or man's wants. For Paul, the focus was on God and His eternal plan of grace. The gospel is revealed in the person and the work of Christ, who abolished or literally “made to no effect” death and brought or revealed eternal life in the gospel. For Paul, the cost of suffering is unspeakably small when compared to the life that Christ brings. Paul is so convinced of this that he is giving his all for the gospel. Paul has placed everything in the hands of God for safekeeping. Jesus said the one who “loses his life for the kingdom will keep it.” That is what Paul has done and what he urges Timothy and us to do as well. The word “guard” in Greek is the word from which we get “phalanx,” the foundational military combat formation. The picture is that God is fighting to protect what we have given to Him. Everything we give to God, He will keep safely until the day we meet Him, and then He'll return it to us with no loss.

Two questions come to mind. First: “How do we give our all to Him? Second: “Do we believe this enough to fully trust and act on that conviction?” The answer to the first is we do this by keeping the pattern or standard of the Gospel message: that we hope in Christ alone and the grace for the salvation of man for God's glory. Everything we give to the cause of Christ is not gone; it is in the care of God to be returned to us. As for the second question, do we really believe? That is answered in our daily life. Paul uses both positive and negative examples. There were those who did not truly believe and turned away, and there is an example of those who did partner with him in the ministry of the Gospel. The real test of our being committed to God is seeing how we live out our lives for the advancement of the gospel and the kingdom.

“Lord, help me give to You may all, trusting you to keep it till the day. AMEN

2 Timothy 1:1-7

2 Timothy 1:1-7

Verse 7 is so often quoted it has almost become a cliché. But as powerful as this verse is alone, in context it is even more powerful. In the years ahead for Timothy, the church is going to face noteworthy hardships, and Paul is taking pains to prepare Timothy specifically and the church generally for the difficult times to come. The opening of this letter is not idle chatter or simple flattery. Paul is laying a foundation to strengthen Timothy for the challenges that he will face. Timothy may have been a sort of momma’s boy. We never hear of his dad beyond his being Greek. The religious and moral influencers of his life were his momma and grandmother. Additionally, Timothy was from Derbe-Lystra. This was where Paul took his first serious abuse on his mission trips. Paul was stoned so severely that when he was dragged out of town, he was assumed to be dead. Timothy, this tender, compassionate, and sensitive soul, could recall his father in the faith, his mentor, and his role model nearly dead. Now Timothy faces his own difficult ministry and turbulent years. Even without renouncing his faith, Timothy might still retreat from the fight and “hide his light under a basket.” Before Paul gets into the application of Timothy’s ministry, he bolsters and challenges his courage and imparts some ‘gusto.’

He does this by first reminding him that this thing called the church is the culmination of everything God has been doing since the days of the ‘forefathers.’ This is no ‘Johnny-come-lately’ scheme, but God’s desired end of a long-planned structure of redemption. Paul also calls to mind Timothy’s strong emotions and affections. It is not a weakness that Timothy tends toward a more tender personality; in fact, that can be his strength. If the tradition that Eunice was a widow is correct, then Paul may have been an especially powerful father figure for Timothy. The love and respect of a son for a father can be a powerful motivation. Paul mentions that the Holy Spirit has given a unique gift to Timothy. Timothy’s toolbox is not empty; he has all that he needs for the task at hand. 

Paul uses the metaphor of ‘fire.’ The flame of Timothy’s ministry has, in fact, died down, and it is time to bring the coals to life and build up that flame. Timothy’s faith commitment was no façade but went all the way to the core of his being. His faith was based on God’s eternal plan. Timothy’s faith, personality, and makeup were all a part of what God was doing. This unique gifting of the Holy Spirit reminded Timothy that the Spirit, or perhaps attitude, he has is not one of cowardice but rather power, love, and sound judgment. 

We lose a lot of ministers because they don’t have a mentor like Paul to bolster their courage. In the midst of struggle and without an end in sight, they leave the work. Sadly, many churches want a minister with the tenderness of Timothy so they can bully and intimidate him. What is needed is the tenderness of Timothy and the boldness of Paul. Few leaders have both naturally; that is why mentorship is so vital. 

“Lord, help me live with a spirit of boldness. AMEN”