Timothy is a young character who, along with Paul the Apostle, stands out in the limelight of history. Timothy had a mother (Eunice) and a grandmother (Lois) who were possessors of unfeigned faith and deep-rooted devotion to the Lord. This young man stands before the believers of the Twenty First century as one who inherited the ancient legacy and became the possessor of immense spirituality. As generations come and go it is possible for spirituality and faith to wane. But here stands a man of God who has multiplied those values in his own life. The Brethren have played a definite role in the re-statement of the New Testament truths. The third and fourth generations of believers among them should study Timothy in subjecting themselves to a spiritual examination and correction.

    Timothy had a Jewish pilgrim family. They were away from Palestine and living in a foreign land. We do not know either the time or the circumstances by which this family came to stay in Lystra, of Galatia, (a part of the present day Turkey) a province of the Roman Empire. From the time of Babylonian captivity a vast majority of Jews were those who were staying away from Palestine. In such scattered families there were some who did not compromise with the heathen. Timothy is from one such family. Since no mention is made about Timothy’s grandfather it is possible that he has passed away. Since the only mention about his father was that he was a Greek (Acts. 16.1-3) we consider him also as dead. If so, little Timothy lived with two widows.

    We have only a little clue about the childhood of Timothy. But that little is sufficient to understand the spiritual atmosphere in which he grew, and the influence it exerted in the young life. “Continue thou in the things which thou has learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom thou has learned them; and that from a child thou has known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3.14-15). That house in Lystra was said to be a Bible School! How many such homes we have in the Twenty First century? How many parents do we have to teach the children? How many Timothys are there to learn? Even if they learn, how many are there to use and multiply such spiritual wisdom (in Him are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Col. 2.3) to know and experience Jesus Christ (Phil. 2.10-11)? Today our children are going far way from the Scriptures because of our undue and misplaced affection in them, and also because of the programs that are structured towards material abundance and prosperity. We may say that as Timothy grew up he was becoming another prophet Samuel! His model was not the young men of that gentile city. On the contrary he adopted the good models he found in the Scriptures.

    There came a good diversion in the life of Timothy. His meeting Paul, the chief apostle was the cause for this. During his first missionary journey Paul had visited Antioch of Pisidia, Icconnium, Lystra, etc. In these places this young man not only heard Paul preaching but also saw the persecutions and afflictions Paul endured (2 Tim. 3.11). As a result, Timothy understood that the Messiah he knew in the Scriptures was the same Jesus of Nazareth whom Paul preached as one who died and rose again, and he believed in Him. Timothy also saw Paul being stoned at Lystra and very near to death because of the gospel. But Paul did not die. The next day this bold apostle went to Derbe together with Barnabas. They preached the gospel there also and made many disciples and returned to Lystra. On that occasion Paul taught Timothy, his spiritual son, many lessons of true discipleship. This was much fruitful. Shortly Timothy became a disciple well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium (Acts. 16.1,2).

    We would tarry a while here. Or rather come to the Twenty First century. Our young men today have much more opportunities to study the word. These are facilities that Timothy could not even dream. Local churches, group ministries and Bible Schools provide ample opportunities for study and work.. Information technology has opened up before us limitless opportunities, and many more! But what are we occupied with? Will these opportunities and facilities remain as things of shame when we stand before the Judgment seat of Christ?

    Paul reached Lystra again. This was during the second missionary journey. Now his companion was Silas and not Barnabas. Paul again saw Timothy, his spiritual son and disciple. Now he has become a strong believer and a tireless worker. Therefore Paul desired that he should accompany him (Acts. 16.3). He gave a bit of his mind to Tomothy. For Timothy it was a time of decision. Should he adopt a life of poverty and hard work and persecutions and afflictions forsaking the peaceful atmosphere of home and opportunities to ministries in his own hometown. He decided in its favour. Those mothers surrendered their beloved child to the Lord. The Assembly which had the same spiritual vision did the same.

    This was the beginning of a great adventure and also of a lifelong friendship.  The lifestyle of Timothy, who earned the love and confidence of Paul, from that time onwards, was that of a perfect practical man. The first charge that Paul gave to Timothy was to comfort and encourage the young church at Thessalonica, which was going through persecutions (1 Thess. 3.1-2). Timothy then went to Berea and Athens. Without much delay Timothy and Silas joined Paul in Corinth. From there they went to Thessalonica with the letter Paul wrote to them. Timothy who came back had to return with a second letter. His name was synonymous with peace, cooperation, humility, obedience, etc. But he was also a little timid (2 Tim. 1.7-8). At the same time Paul had only heart-felt and beautiful words to say about him. While he was in the house-prison in Rome, Paul wrote to his beloved Church in Philippi: “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he has served with me in the gospel” (Phil. 2.19-22). This like-mindedness of Timothy should stir up young minds today to sit up and take notice. There was an age difference of 25 – 30 years between Paul and Timothy. While generation gap is characteristic of the youth of today, the life and behaviour of Timothy should be a lesson to all of us. In Paul’s epistles Timothy is a co-writer. This speaks of their fellowship in the ministry. We should not think that Timothy managed to live an exemplary life because everything was favourable. It is not so. Like Paul he ministered in spite of oppositions and sufferings. He had had setbacks in trying to solve the problems in Corinth. They mocked him and ridiculed him. Timothy had the spiritual maturity to forgive and suffer these things.

    There was also a physical problem that troubled him - infirmities of the stomach. His travel and ministry was with this physical sickness. In this context Paul advises him: drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Tim. 5.23). Up to now Timothy had not taken wine even for medicine. He was a complete teetotaler. Did the stories of Daniel and his friends that his grand mother told him become instrumental to his present life style? If so, it was not a loss. Timothy also shines as a man of God beloved to God like Daniel (1 Tim. 6.11).

    Timothy had many spiritual gifts. He fulfilled his Christian calling by stirring up those gifts and ministering with them. He had plenty of Paul’s prayers, encouragement, and teaching. Two such letters that Timothy received in this connection give direction to believers, especially the young ones.

    The personal relationship that Paul had with Timothy was hearty. Paul remembered Timothy in prayers day and night without ceasing. Paul could not forget Timothy’s tears (2 Tim. 1.3-4). When they were praying together and part from one another this young man used to shed tears. When Paul comes to the end of his life this emotional bond reaches its fullness. “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me” (2 Tim. 4.9). Paul’s words were: “no man stood with me; all men forsook me. Only Luke is with me.” The absence of his beloved son brings sorrow to him. Even though for a short time, his cloak, books and parchments, should be brought from the house of Carpus at Troas. Timothy who was in Ephesus would have started immediately after he received the letter. But were they able to meet? Or did the chiefest of the apostle reach heaven before that? The answer would be found only in eternity. But there is no doubt, Timothy must have shed many tears.

    Timothy received the torch that Paul gave him and ran and finished the race. If tradition is right during the time of Emperor Domitian, Timothy became a martyr in Ephesus itself.

    Timothy finished his ministry presenting a challenge to the present day young believers. In the Assemblies the numbers of Hymenaeus and Alexanders are increasing and the numbers of Timothys are decreasing. Let the believers take Timothy as their model.  Paul’s exhortation will be of help to those who desire to be so.

1.    Stir up the gift of God (2 Tim.1.6).
2.    Be strong in the grace (2 Tim. 2.11).
3.    Teach the truth you know who is faithful to teach (2 Tim. 2.2).
4.    Endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ (2 Tim. 2.3).
5.    Do not entangle in the affairs of life (2 Tim. 2.4).
6.    Receive knowledge and understanding from God (2 Tim. 2.7).
7.     Be a worker that need not be ashamed (2 Tim. 2.15).
8.    Teach the word of truth (2 Tim. 215).
9.    Do not love the world (2 Tim. 4.20).

    The need of the hour is for more Pauls and Timothys. Let us pray for this.
                                        (Translated by Mr. Silas C. Nair, Ernakulam)