Timothy II - Expositional Study
GRANDMOTHERLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-7 (KJV)
Introduction
The young Timothy had good motherly and grandmotherly influences upon his life, and, through Paul, fatherly influences, too. His natural father is not mentioned. Perhaps he had died, or was not a Christian. For some reason, he is not mentioned as influencing Timothy to faithfully serve the Lord.
Observe, in verses 3-4, how tenderly affectionate Paul is toward Timothy.
He gave him his love, "I thank God" – For what? For the fact of Timothy; for the way Timothy had prospered in spiritual things, and grown in grace; for the help he had been in mission work, and for the fact that even in prison, cut off from him as Paul was, he could still do something for Timothy.
He gave him his prayer. We need to come to a practical realization of the fact that we cannot do anything greater for one another than to pray! Paul is thankful to God that, in spite of everything, it still remains possible for him to help young Timothy by praying for him, "without ceasing." Notice that to "pray without ceasing" was what Paul told his converts to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. So, here is a preacher who practices what he preaches – would that all preachers were as consistent. However, some are like the Scribes and Pharisees of Matthew 23:3, they "say, and do not."
Paul's longing is so touching: "greatly desiring to see thee." Paul remembered the "tears" of Timothy, and being aware that he must soon depart this life, wanted to see him just once more – "do thy diligence to come shortly unto me" (4:9). Timothy also would love such a meeting.
His joy in his "son" is evident. Indeed, Paul is "filled with joy" at the recollection of his "faith". Paul recollects the day he led this boy to Christ and as convincing testimony to the reality of his conversion, recalling his advancement in the Spirit. All this is in the forefront of the apostle's mind.
But in the background is his anxiety – lest this humanly timid young man should fail before the onslaughts of persecution; or sink beneath the weight of his work. So, all the wealth of this big, fatherly heart of Paul surrounds the youthful warrior in the fight. In effect, Paul congratulates Timothy that his faith is the same as his grandmother's!
Some may say the great "Gospel Bell" is cracked. That atonement, reconciliation, propitiation, redemption, blood, salvation, etc., have cracked the "Bell" of faith. Well, the way to tell whether the great "Gospel Bell" is cracked or not is to ring it! In truth, those who do ring the "Bell", trusting and obeying the Lord's commands, instead of merely discussing it, find that the old sweet music and power is in it still. Some may say that this "Gospel Bell" is ancient and needs re-casting; needs to be brought up-to-date. They may say that if you must keep to the "Bible" conceptions, at least bring them up to the "present-day". They want us to drop what they consider to be out-worn, out-mooted ways of doing religious things. To some this seems reasonable. But, the trouble is that in changing the so-called "old" truths in God's Word into new and more modern approaches usually means sacrificing God's Word. In trying to follow God's Word, yet somehow being different, we may discover too late that we have not followed the truth of God's Word after all. The keen intellect of Paul was in favor of what we might call a grandmotherly faith. Some of its features are listed below.
"The unfeigned faith"
(a) The genuine article – not merely of the head, but of the heart. Not just an intellectual acceptance, but a complete trust and obedience of heart and being.
(b) Obedient faith is set forth. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1).
(c) For Paul, faith meant faith in Christ. He always ran beyond and behind things, to the Lord, Himself.
(d) Notice that this quality is spoken of here as having "dwelt" in them, as if it was not a visitor, but a resident. Not merely a fair-weather friend, departing in foul-weather. Some of us seem to lose our faith when the storms of life overtake us. When trouble such as pain, loss, bereavement, failure, anxiety, or distress comes, faith in Him seems to leave some of us. Under one or more of these conditions, some have completely lost their faith. Actually, it is in the storm that faith should stand us in good stead. Yet, too often we let it go just when it could be a help! Consider the Lord in the boat, stilling the tempest. He said to His disciples, "Where is your faith?" (Luke 8:25). When its presence would have proven to be a great stand-by, it had left them.
(e) Faith in Him should be both initial and continual – that first act of obedient faith, which, by His infinite grace makes us His and makes Him ours; then the attitude of obedient faith, which, according to His purpose, is to be the secret and principle of our daily Christian life. Not only are we "saved" by obedient faith (Eph. 2:8), but, also, "we walk by faith" (2 Cor. 5:7). Such is one of the fundamental characteristics of grandmotherly encouragement – obedient faith in Him and faithfulness to Him. Trusting and obeying the Lord – A steadfast fidelity. "The unfeigned faith", which is the property of this godly family, and which, praise God, is, with all its blessings, shared by every obedient believer.
This is no such thing as a sterile faith. James 2:20 has told us that "faith without works is dead". In Bible faith there is a multitude of works to establish the claim that it is alive. The Lord said, "by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:20). Here we find such an abundance and excellence of fruit as to make it clear that it is the real thing.
Notice one thing that seems to underlie our present passage – the fruit of personal contagiousness, i.e., faith passing on from one to another. One catches it from another. This is a true mark and sign of spiritual life.
"First in thy grandmother Lois"
How did she get it? Was she a fruit of Paul's ministry? We do not know! Perhaps she was part of that group of "about three thousand" consisting of people gathered at Jerusalem for the Feast from far and near, returning to their homes when it was over. In Acts 21:16, there is an interesting description given to us of a Christian named Mnason of Cyprus. The verse calls him "an old disciple", and the word used does not confine itself simply to his accumulation of years, like, for example, that one we have already noted in Philemon 9, in which the apostle is named, "Paul, the aged". The Holy Spirit's word about Mnason is one that would not be mistranslated if we rendered it, "an original disciple". Of course, the important thing is not how Timothy's grandmother, Lois, came to know the Lord. But, the fact that she did know Him.
"And thy mother Eunice"
We do not know how she became a Christian, but perhaps one converted the other. In 1 Timothy 5:4, Paul says, "learn first to show piety at home". Some may find this the hardest place to start talking about the Lord, but none can deny that it is the most natural. Read Mark 5:9-20. The Lord drove the devils out of Legion. Then, the Lord is in the boat about to embark. His new convert offers to go with Him. No doubt, the desire of Legion to go with Him pleased the Lord, but He did not accept the offer. As God said to David, regarding the building of the temple, "thou didst well that it was in thine heart" (1 Kings
8:18), though He did not allow him to do it. The Lord said to Legion, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee..." (Mark 5:19). Home first! This is the Divine order – "beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47); beginning at our Jerusalem: our home town, our home, our family circle. So, Lois and Eunice were converted.
"In thee also"
And the contagion spread. We know that Paul was the means of Timothy's conversion; yet, we can also be sure that he was not the sole means. Through experience we learn that almost always people are drawn to God by a chain of events. Paul was the last link, mamma was another, and grannie another. Some people are gifted, and used as last links. But all the links make their contribution. The, "he that soweth, and he that reapeth", of John 4:36 are two links in the harvest. He that plougheth was, perhaps, the first link – when the golden grain is gathered, all the links "may rejoice together". Let us see to it that we are touching people for God, having a share somehow in influencing them for the Lord. If we are not used to be last links, let us make sure that we are not missing links in this great enterprise. Let us be soul-winners at whatever stage our contribution shall be. As the godly women of Timothy's home did, preparing him for Paul's finishing touch. The apostle probably found easy work gathering this fruit. It was ripe for picking when he got there. Yes, a grandmother's encouragement is strong and very important.
No unworthy fear was there. "God hath not given us a spirit of fear", says Paul. Yet, if ever a man had reason and excuse for being afraid, it was young Timothy. Naturally timid; having upon his young shoulders the great work and cares of the Ephesian church; face to face with the perils and perplexities of a time of persecution. No wonder he quaked before the situation. However, Paul writes to brace him up, assuring him that he need not fear because God is: with him; before him; beside him; and within him. "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee", says David in Psalm 56:3; "I will trust, and not be afraid" (Is. 12:2), an attitude which the Psalmist also took up, in verses 4 and 11. We should not criticize Timothy for a tendency to fear, for we are inclined that way. Often we refrain from some right word, or action, because we are dreadfully afraid of what other people might think, say, or do! We often hesitate again and again from starting upon a good course or undertaking because of the fear of failing, of not being able to carry it out or to keep it up. Some of us are constantly halted or crippled in Christian endeavor because we are afraid of looking like a fool. This "spirit of fear" should not be there. As we think of the old saints of past days, how free they seemed to be of such unworthy feeling.
There is a right fear – fear man little, fear God much. The Bible has much to say about fear. Psalm 11:10 and Proverbs 9:10 combine to impress upon us that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Yet, this fear seems to have little or no place among so many today. Our society for the most part is flippant with God – something so different from the old saint's blessed intimacy with the Most High; always accompanied by a reverent awe of Him. The first century church was filled with the fear of God. The story is told of some boys camping together. One of them proposed some mischief. However, one refused to join in. A companion said, "I guess you are afraid that, if he finds out, your father will hurt you." "No", came the reply, "I am only afraid that I might hurt him." What a noble response. This is what the fear of God really implies. The presence of this fear, along with the absence of all other fear, makes up that quality of fearlessness, which is such a marked feature of grandmotherly faith.
One last element is suggested by our present text – forcefulness. A distinction is drawn in verses 6-7 between the gifts and the gift. It is when both the gifts and the gift are duly and fully employed that there comes into life that forcefulness that is so characteristic of true Christian faith.
Think first of the gifts, i.e., qualities which "God hath...given us", instead of "the spirit of fear."
1. "Power" – for defensive and offensive purposes (for the negative and positive side of Christian life); a power so utterly and gloriously adequate for every demand that will be laid upon us. Verily, "if...God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to..." (Ex. 18:23). How shall fear abide when such power confronts it?
2. "Love" – this beautifully balances that "power", which might otherwise be a somewhat hard and harsh quality. In this, qualities are like pictures, one needs to be balanced with another. Hence you get "the goodness and severity of God", of which Romans 11:22 speaks. "I will sing of mercy and judgment" (Ps. 101:1). So, love keeps power in proper perspective and proportion. Yet, always remember that love is itself the greatest power of all. And, "perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18).
3. "Sound mind" – that does not give us an accurate conception of what the word means. The R.V. has "discipline", "self-mastery"; the "self-control" of Galatians 5:23, though a different Greek word is used. How infinitely more effective is a horse when its wild freedom gives place to a proper control. What a wholly revolutionized thing will that wide-spread, sluggish water become if it is confined within narrow banks. Able now in its swiftly-running energy to do and turn things. It is the difference between waters dissipated or disciplined that is suggested by this quality of "self-mastery".
These things are not characteristics to be struggled for. According to our passage they are qualities which "God hath...given us." They are His gifts to His children. They are there to be reckoned and acted on. What forcefulness they bring to the obedient Christian.
Second, there is the gift. This is not a thing, like the others we have spoken of, but a Person.
1. Timothy had been specially set apart with the "putting on of...hands". This was a God-given power! Paul himself had been thus "separated" for his life's work in Acts 13:3. Now he has done the same for Timothy.
2. At that time, Timothy received "the gift of God', the Holy Spirit – an anointing of the Spirit for the special work before him. Notice the word "by" in verse 6. Consider that it was not the laying on hands that conferred the gift to Timothy. The preposition in the Greek, when followed by the genitive case, as it is here, may legitimately be a preposition of time. For example, we find it so in Acts 5:19, where "by night" means "during the night"; and, "in three days" of Matthew 26:61, is the same preposition and construction. This gives us the right to conclude that the laying on of hands did not of itself, mechanically or necessarily do anything. It was not the means of conferring the gift, but the moment which God chose for doing so." This distinction is important!
3. In what sense is Timothy to "stir up" the gift? The verb is a significant one. Its main root means, "fire", and two additions to it mean, "up", and, "life". So, we have the figure of re-kindling a flame. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is often likened to a fire. Consider, "the Spirit of burning" (Is. 4:4); and the "tongues like as of fire" (Acts 2:3). Though He is always in a Christian, He may have only a small place; but, when we are what Paul calls, "filled with the spirit" (Eph. 5:18), then He occupies the whole being. It is the recurring surrender of ourselves entirely to the Lord Jesus Christ that brings about that infinitely desirable state of affairs. This is the stirring up, the rekindling. When the gift is thus in control, and when His gifts are in use, we find a practical forcefulness of character, which is a peculiar property of "unfeigned faith."
Conclusion
Shall we then, in view of the hints and suggestions in this passage, be prepared to despise and even discard this grandmotherly faith? Let us seek more and more to go back to it. Back to its: reality, sincerity, fidelity, humility, activity, and virility! What was good enough for Paul and Timothy is certainly good enough for us!
