1 Timothy is
primarily devoted to opposing false teachers and organising and equipping the
church towards stability. Paul's second letter to Timothy however, is more
concerned with Timothy's own spiritual well-being and perseverance, which may
well have taken a severe knock through his engagement with those in the church
fellowship who had opposed and unsettled him. As a church leader, Timothy has
clearly been through a very difficult and testing time; in fact, matters are
still unresolved, and Paul will give some counsel as to how to proceed.
However, reading between the lines, it would seem that Paul's primary theme in
this letter is to stimulate Timothy towards faithful, God-dependent endurance
which Paul highlights at the beginning (1:6-14) and end (4:9-22) - and indeed
all through the letter. It is easy to sense that Timothy has possibly had
'enough' and is in danger of just walking away from the role and
responsibilities Paul had entrusted to him (see 2 Corinthians 11:28 for a sense
of burden church ministry brings).
So Paul writes to encourage his beleaguered young friend, first, to remind him that
Gospel ministry isn't easy, it is tough - at many levels - (2:3-7; 3:12-14), so
difficult in fact that we can only hope to accomplish anything worthwhile for
the Lord in the grace of His own strength which He has freely given (1:7-8;
2:1); second, he reminds him also of what is at stake - namely, the
truthfulness of the Gospel message for the generations to follow (1:13-14;
2:2), for if Timothy should falter to whom will Paul pass the Gospel torch of
salvation since most of the others have left or abandoned Paul? (4:10-16); and
third, he also gently chides Timothy for having forgotten to whom he ultimately
accountable - the Lord of glory himself (4:1-2, 8) - and for the eternal
rewards God has laid up for those to make it to the end. In addition, Paul brings this call to endure
to life by drawing Timothy's attention to real-life examples that Timothy would
have known of two who failed to endure and one who did (1:15-18), Jesus's own
suffering in death in which believers are called to share (2:8-9; 2 Corinthians
4:16-18; Colossians 1:24), and finally Paul's own example of enduring right to
the every end (4:9-22).
Timothy's job in
Ephesus, however, is not yet finished. There's more work to be done among the
people. However, if in discouragement Timothy throws in the towel, or if in
(understandable) anger or frustration he throws 'a wobbly' (2:24), then much of
the good spiritual work he has done may be undone. We have looked at Paul's
frequent encouragements to endure, but what does he have to say about Timothy's
manner and priorities in ministry?
Those who are
spiritually agitated or discouraged in ministry, are often in greater danger of
more easily giving into temptation when it is presented. Timothy needs to be
careful that he doesn't let Satan gain a foothold in the church by a sinful
slip-up or by cutting ministry corners in fulfilling his responsibilities
(2:26). So, in contrast to the false teachers, God's approved workman (2:15) -
in fact any believer, for we all have our own unique and necessary roles within
the life of the local church - must, in life and ministry, be oriented towards
God and His gracious approval; be committed to the defence and spread of the
Gospel (v15b); he and she must pursue genuine godliness (v22), and have a
sincere compassion for people (v23-26) in contrast to the self-promotion and
self-centredness of others (v23). And as for the difficulties in church
ministry that Timothy encountered, these are to be expected as normative until
Christ returns (3:1-9).
In all he does,
Timothy's ministry among the people ought to Bible-centred (2:15; 3:10-17;
4:1-3). His teaching must not be hard or
harsh; he must not treat his 'opponents' with contempt or disdain, or use the Bible
against them in a belligerent manner (see 2:25-26), but he must teach and instruct
with gentleness. For, says Paul, "God may
grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth" (2:25, ESV;
"…in the hope that God will grant
them repentance" NIV). What a
wonderful hope to keep you going in the face of difficulties and discouragement! "That people's lives, Timothy, even those whose purpose is
to be rid of you and your ministry, will - by God's grace - be converted and
transformed, rescued from Satan's snare (v26), and all to the glory of God. You know Timothy", says Paul, "with God, it
just might happen. So keep on keeping on, keep on preaching and teaching God's Word, and, you never know, God may well use you, as His instrument, to bless and be a blessing you in all you
do."
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