Timothy: One of a Kind, Builder of the Church
Do you know much about Timothy? He wasn’t one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, but he did play an important role in the building of the early church. Although Scripture doesn’t say tons and tons about him, it does say enough to learn plenty about this companion of Paul’s who traveled throughout Macedonia and Asia Minor spreading the gospel. Before looking to the verses of Scripture, though, let’s look at some background information about Timothy I learned from the notes of my Bible (which also draw from Acts 16:1-5 and Colossians 1:1-2).
Timothy was born in Lystra, a small and rural city. His father was Greek, and his mother was a Jewish Christian. On Paul’s second missionary visit to Lystra, Paul invited Timothy to join him on his travels. Timothy was circumcised so that his Greek ancestry would not be a stumbling block while teaching the Jews, and then he accompanied Paul to places including Ephesus, Macedonia, Achaia, Corinth and Asia Minor. He was by Paul’s side when Paul was first imprisoned, and he joined Paul in Rome at Paul’s request at the end of his life, as well. Paul had such respect for Timothy that he actually named him as the co-sender of six of his letters (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Philemon). At one point, Timothy stayed in Ephesus for a longer period of time to help solve problems and build the church there while Paul journeyed on. It seems that Timothy was a willing servant, ready to answer whatever call came his way.
Here are five things I’ve learned about Timothy from the New Testament:
He lived a life of faithfulness to God. Paul trusted Timothy enough to invite him along on his journeys, and he also trusted Timothy enough to send him out on his own to a church or city that was in need. It seems that Paul had witnessed Timothy’s steady faithfulness to God, which convinced him that Timothy could serve God with excellence—whether by his side or out in the world on his own.
For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. -1 Cor. 4:17
Timothy’s faith was authentic. Can you think of any moments in your life where your faith felt a bit fake? Maybe you were just putting on a good face for the sake of a relationship or a circumstance? Or perhaps you’ve had seasons in your life when you just checked off spiritual boxes because someone in authority was directing you to do so … or because you were operating in autopilot. Sunday morning church? Check. Did my daily Bible study questions? Check. Prayed before I went to bed? Check. It’s possible to check things off a list, though, and not actually be doing them with authenticity. This did not seem to be the case with Timothy.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. -2 Tim. 1:5
Timothy knew the Scriptures. We mature as Christians when we read, study, consider, memorize, talk about and meditate on God’s Word. When we have thorough knowledge of the Bible, we are able to become wise in Christ. We are also better prepared to discern between truth and deception. There are so many messages being spread through the media in today’s world. Some align with God’s Word, but some don’t. How can you know which ones do if you don’t know your Bible? Paul seemed to take comfort in the fact that Timothy was well studied in Scripture, which made him “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” For Timothy, his knowledge of God’s Word surely helped when he encountered hostile and challenging situations in the midst of his travels. These evangelizers and builders of the early church weren’t welcomed immediately with open arms everywhere they went. Someone like Timothy needed to have a strong biblical foundation to stand on when times were hard, and you do, too. Consider these words Paul wrote to Timothy:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. -2 Tim. 3:14-15
He was a team player. It’s clear from Paul’s words about Timothy that he was willing to come alongside Paul and other apostles to plant and build up churches. We see no mention of ego; instead, Paul describes Timothy as being a brother, a co-worker, an encourager and someone ready to strengthen others. This makes me think that Timothy was also a humble guy. Do you agree? Humility will carry you much further than arrogance and pride when it comes to building God’s kingdom on earth.
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. -1 Thessalonians 3:2-3a
Timothy held Jesus’ interests above all others. This is my favorite thing about this guy! Human nature encourages us all to look out first and foremost for ourselves. Then, we try to look out for one another, right? In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he told them that he was sending Timothy their way for help and support. He said he had no other co-worker like Timothy, someone who cared so sincerely for the Philippians’ wellbeing. But then, in Philippians 2:21, Paul took things a step further when he implied that Timothy’s main focus was NOT his own interests, NOT EVEN other people’s interests, but primarily the interests of Jesus Christ. Read this verse in context:
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. -Philippians 2:19-22
Isn’t that just incredible? Sure, you’ve got to take care of yourself. And, yes, it’s obviously fantastic to look out for the people around you. But how amazing would it be if someone described you like that? …as someone who looks out for the interests of Jesus? When I go to be with Jesus one day, I can only hope that someone speaking at my funeral will say, “Audrey mostly cared about the interests of Jesus.” Because guess what? If that’s my primary mission in life, then in the process I will end up serving and caring for others, too. (And even myself in God-honoring ways.)
What do you learn most from Timothy’s life? As you look back through the five bolded statements above, is there one that you do really well? Which one do you need to work on the most? What step can you take this week to follow Timothy’s example of humble, authentic faithfulness? Don’t read about someone like Timothy and then just carry on without letting his example challenge you to change. The Bible isn’t full of words so that we can gather information. No! It’s full of words that are meant to transform us more and more into Christ’s likeness. Will you let these verses about Timothy, a crucial part of the initial spread of the gospel, inspire and push you forward in your walk with God?