Timothy II - Expositional Study
THE PERSONS CONCERNED
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-2 (KJV)
Introduction
This portion of Scripture is very moving. "Timothy, my dearly beloved son," is such a paternal touch and carried throughout the whole Epistle. And it is a farewell Letter, too.
We must always keep in mind that it was written from prison. Paul had a considerable experience in such places: at Philippi, at Caesarea, at Jerusalem, and at Rome. It was the Romans who imprisoned him. The Jews brought about his arrest. But, never does he describe himself as a prisoner of Jews or Romans. Always it is "the prisoner of Jesus Christ." He was put into prison because of his loyalty to the Lord; therefore there was no shame – only a glorying in it!
One of Paul's longest stretches in prison was his first imprisonment at Rome, described for us in the two closing verses of the Book of Acts. That was a lenient experience. Throughout his stay, friends were allowed to come and go as they pleased, and he was able to exercise a considerable ministry. He wrote some of his most remarkable Letters in prison: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. But, all that was some years earlier. So much has happened since. He was eventually released, and perhaps preceded again on various missionary tours. We have no precise record of such tours during that time. But, there is every possibility that he fulfilled wishes and intentions, found scattered in his various Letters. Perhaps visiting various places mentioned such as Ephesus, Macedonia, Nicopolis, Crete, Miletus, Troas, and Spain.
There in Ephesus he did such a great work for the Lord: laboring long, leaving a strong company of Christians; and leaving Timothy in charge to continue teaching the Gospel. The same sort of thing appears to have taken place at Crete, where another of the apostle's young men, Titus, was left to carry on the work. It was to give them guidance for the proper exercise of their responsibilities that Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus, which are known as the Letters to preachers.
Then, all of a sudden, Paul was re-arrested. The Roman Empire was nervously on edge at this time, fearful of secret societies. Christians would certainly have been listed among these. They met in private houses and we can be sure certain of the Jews did not fail to stir up bitter feelings, stoking the fires of fear against Christians, who were disliked in many quarters and it only took a match to set everything ablaze. In almost a literal sense, the 'match' came from the Emperor Nero. In his madness, he set fire to Rome and blamed Christians to screen himself. It is difficult to imagine the outburst of fury against these already suspected and unpopular people. A great wave of persecution broke forth, and in the midst Paul was once again placed in prison. This time it was not the lenient experience of his former Roman detention, but a far more stringent experience. For Paul, this is the end, and he knows it. Yet, he is calm. He had wanted to 'go' before, "to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better" (Phil. 1:2). His only wish for life was to be 'needful' to his brethren. If now that need has been discharged, if he has finished his course, he is not sad but glad. His heart is at peace.
Yet, as Paul thinks things over, he naturally dwells on various groups of Christians he will leave behind. How will they fare? How will the young leaders acquit themselves? Young Timothy, for instance, charged with the work at Ephesus, with all the extra responsibilities and perplexities arising out of persecution. How will he discharge his work? He is young. He is decidedly delicate, as we learn from the first letter (5:23). How will his health stand the strain? He is timid, but, like so many others, he is capable of utmost daring when a crisis comes. Still, the risks and dangers are great. He is evidently dependent; the sort who leans on others. Paul is his teacher, as well as his hero. Timothy is the type who makes a splendid follower, but normally not likely to shine as a leader. Yet, he must lead!
He will be all right, as long as he can turn for advice and help to Paul, his spiritual father. But, now that Paul is imprisoned and untouchable, Timothy will be lonely and probably feeling lost. But, God is able to overrule personal weakness. He can make Timothy a great soldier of the Lord, ready to "Hold fast the form of sound words" (2 Tim. 1:13). Paul now sends, perhaps his last letter, to cheer-up and encourage him. Paul says, "Only Luke is with me" (2 Tim. 4:11). So presumable it was to Luke the letter was dictated. Luke would have a special interest in helping Paul, because he, too, knew Timothy. As physician of the group when they travelled about, he perhaps prescribed for Timothy's ailments. Like Paul, Luke would have a soft spot in his heart for Timothy, and would certainly be glad to transcribe this great communication for him.
We are now concerned with the opening passages. In 2 Timothy, twenty-nine people are mentioned by name. Here, in these first two verses, three are mentioned. First, there is the writer. In Philemon 9, written before 2 Timothy, Paul describes himself as, "Paul the aged" Unless, as some think, the word should be, "Paul the ambassador", we are introduced to an old man; perhaps old before his time. Like the Lord, Paul always lived at a fast pace, never sparing himself; always putting everything into everything. It was with Paul, as it was with the Lord, of whom the Jews said, "Thou are not yet fifty years old", when He was just over thirty.
So, he commences to dictate, "Paul..." The Eastern letter writer began with the use of his name. The use of his name serves several purposes. It reminds us that the letter is a personal, human document. According to 2 Peter 1:21, when the Holy Spirit "moved" the "holy men of God" to write the Holy Scriptures, His method of inspiration was of such a nature that it did not abrogate their distinctive personalities and reduce them to automata. In mysterious fashion, the words written were their words. Thus, we find in all the writings, the individual characteristics of the writers. In the case of a man like Paul, who wrote several Scriptures, there may appear divergences of use, fully accounted for by the differences of circumstance or the passage of time. Yet, for all that, there is generally a sufficient stratum of likeness of characteristic to establish the author's identity. There are seventy-seven words in this Epistle, which does not occur in any other of his letters, and thus some scholars believe the Pauline authorship of 2 Timothy is questionable. Yet, how many characteristic touches are here. If this is true, then the person who forged the Second Epistle to Timothy in the name of Paul must indeed have been a genius. It is the almost universal testimony that all these three Epistles are genuinely the work of Paul. Even as they are also the work of the Holy Spirit!
In the mind of Timothy, the name Paul will conjure up a deeply loved figure. The word "Paul" itself means "little". If Paul was little, it would have been only in the physical sense. "his bodily presence is weak" (2 Cor. 10:10), is his own confession. In the 'Acts of Paul and Thecla', the first century description of him points out that he is "a man of moderate stature...bow-legged...bald-headed...long nose." Perhaps not much to look at, but without a doubt someone to look to! To read the opening word of the letter would have: thrilled Timothy's spirit, warmed his heart, and filled his eyes!
Notice what is said of the nature of his position: "an apostle of Jesus Christ." There were times, for example, in the Epistle to the Galatians, when he had to fight for his claim to the title. Timothy would not have disputed his right to it. Yet, in a tenderly loving manner, Paul thinks it necessary by this hint to remind him that he writes, not only with affection, but with authority. The word, 'apostle', means, 'sent one'. When we are born again, becoming disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and are willing to obey Luke 14:33, "Whosoever...forsaketh not all that he hath...cannot be my disciple" (see also vv. 26-27), we become a disciple, a 'learner'. The Lord cannot teach us unless we are prepared to obey completely and follow absolutely. When we reach that point we are ready to take the higher place, to become, in a very small way, an 'apostle' – 'sent out' on the Lord's business of teaching the lost, pointing them to Jesus Christ. In our 'lesser degree', may we, too, be of a truly apostolic rank in our thinking. Not truly apostles who have: physically seen the Lord; authority; and power. But, 'apostles' only in the sense of being 'sent out' to tell others of the Lord and the life He wants us all to live.
It is interesting to observe the explanation of his appointment: "by the will of God." Paul did not grasp it for himself. He did not pull strings to get it. He did not choose it on his own account. He became an apostle, not by his choice or will, but God's. As the risen Lord explained to Ananias, "he is a chosen vessel unto me" (Acts 9:15). There is a joy unspeakable when, by His grace, we reach that place where, in the matter of life's work and decisions, we are content to leave the choice, totally, with Him. To be in the place and do the work of His appointment is, indeed, the secret of richest blessing and deepest rest. Ours is but to trust and obey. All other responsibility is on His Shoulder! When such a relationship is established, we may humbly, yet confidently look to Him to: guide us, guard us, and, when necessary, goad us.
There is revealed here also the purpose in his call: "according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus." – On the lines of, in pursuance of, in the service of. The force of, "according to", seems to be that Paul's call, to be an apostle, was given him for the purpose of publishing the "good news" of the promise of life to the needy sons and daughters of men. Put it this way: the water – "the promise of life"; the spring – "which is Christ Jesus", an inexhaustible Fountain; the vessel – destined to come to the spring, and carry the promised water, "a chosen vessel...to bear My Name", the Water of Life to famishing souls. What a blessed privilege and matchless joy, which, in a smaller measure may be ours as well as Paul's. There is much we are permitted to know about the old man who writes this letter – the letter of a father to his son.
It has been perhaps a year since Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, "Let no man despise thy youth" (1 Tim. 4:12). We will, in the course of our brief study, learn a great deal about him. But, for the moment, in this preliminary glance, we shall add one or two things to what has already been pointed out.
Timothy had a great up-bringing. His home was at Lystra. His father was a Greek and his mother a Jew. His father may have died when Timothy was a boy, and if so his upbringing would have been in the hands of his mother and grand-mother. The mention of the "faith" of these two godly souls (2 Tim. 1:5), and the "scriptures" in the home (2 Tim. 3:15), indicates the religious tone that Timothy, as a young boy, enjoyed. In his book, 'Sketches of Jewish Social Life' (p. 115ff), Edersheim gives an interesting account of what Timothy's education was likely to have been. Then, in the course of time, two preachers came to the town (Acts 14:6-7). Their names were Barnabas and Paul. But, because of a great miracle they performed, they were, on the ground of an old legend, renamed by the people, Jupiter and Mercury. Timothy was only a boy at the time, but he was greatly attracted by Paul, and deeply impressed by the preaching, the stoning, and the raising of the bold missionary. By the time we reach Acts 15:1-3, Timothy has developed into a splendid young Christian – a "disciple" – learning and willing to learn. "Well reported" by the brethren, and when Paul visits the town again, observing the spiritual growth and worth of Timothy, he takes him into his mission party. The great evangelist appreciated having young Christian men around him, not only as cheery companions, but that they might be trained for the work. John Mark had proved a disappointment. Now, Timothy would take his place. Young Titus was another.
There existed between Paul and Timothy a great relationship. Earlier we learned that on the apostle's first visit, Timothy, the youngster, was led by the apostle to obey the Gospel. So, Paul called him, "my dearly beloved son", and in his first epistle to Timothy, Paul says, "my own son in the faith" (1:2). Referring to him in Philippians 2:22, he says, "as a son with the father he hath served with me in the gospel" There was a beautiful and spiritual companionship between Paul, the older man, and Timothy, the younger – like father and son.
Notice here a great prayer. Paul desires of God that Timothy may have, "grace, mercy, and peace." It is interesting that in all the greetings of Paul, in his other letters, his wishes are, "grace and peace". Only in 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus, is "mercy" added. What depths of meaning are in the words: "grace", for every service; "mercy", for every failure; "peace", for every circumstance. Paul knew Timothy would need them all. We, too, need them, whether in times of persecution as in Timothy's case, or in more ordinary times like today.
These blessings are to come from a great source: "from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." Grace from that Fountain Head is inexhaustible; ever sufficient for every possible need, as it arises. Mercy is there in abundance in the Heart of Love for all who fail and fall, that they may get up and go on again. Peace beyond all human explanation is within our reach from Him Who, even as He stood consciously on the threshold of Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha, could speak of "My peace" (John 14:27). If only in actual daily practice we were to contemplate the Fatherhood of God, and the Lordship of Christ, not merely learning facts but behaving as we should – what peace, what grace; all we need would be ours in rich measure.
But, there is a third person in the whole of the epistle: "Christ Jesus" is named fifteen times, and three times in these two opening verses. The letter is written by Paul to Timothy. But one way or another, it is written about the Lord. He is the subject. He is also the main subject of the whole Bible. Notice Acts 8:35. The Ethiopian is reading Isaiah, not understanding its meaning. Philip explained that it was all about Jesus. He "began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus." It does not matter what Scripture we turn to, in some sense it will about the Lord. The Lord, Himself, "beginning at Moses and all the prophets...expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself."
In the Old Testament we have the preparation for Him: in story, in type, in sacrifice, in promise, and in prophecy. In the Gospels, we have the presentation of Him: in Matthew, as King; in Mark, as Servant; in Luke, as Man; in John, as God. In Acts, we have the proclamation of Him; His servants going forth to be His "witnesses": in Jerusalem (1-7); in Judaea and Samaria (8-12); and to the uttermost part of the earth (13-28). Then, in the Epistles we find the personification of Him. The Christian life being summed up in such phrases as, "for me to live is Christ", and, "I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me." So, in truth, the Lord is the subject of the entire Bible.
Conclusion
Paul is always concerned with: sound doctrine, he has no use for spineless, false teaching; earnest service, he has no room for idle and selfish enjoyment of spiritual blessing; holy life, he has no patience with a profession of faith that does not result in consistent, faithful living. As we shall see, all these things will have their place in the course of this epistle for they are never long out of Paul's mind. But, he is chiefly concerned with the person, Timothy. While dealing with many things connected with the Christian life, Paul continually brings his young friend back to association with and allegiance to, Christ Jesus. Our hearts also need to be enraptured by Him, so that our spiritual experience may be not merely a 'part' of our lives, but 'all' our life in Him – "That I may know him", as this same writer expresses in Philippians 3:10. Other knowledge and experience will follow. But this must come first: "that I may know Him"
Christ! I am Christ's! and let the name suffice you,
Ay, for me too He greatly hath sufficed.
Yea, thro' life, death, thro' sorrow, and thro' sinning
He shall suffice me, for He hath sufficed;
Christ is the end, for Christ was the beginning,
Christ the beginning, for the end is Christ.
