The Apostle Paul had fervent affection for his beloved child in the faith; it is revealed in the expression he wrote to Timothy: “Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy” (2 Tim. 1:4). Recalling Timothy’s affection inflames his own, and while expressing it, consolation is doubtless ministered to his own heart. It was no common tie that knit together the hearts of these two servants of the Lord. The occasion of Timothy’s tears is not revealed, but it was probably at the time of some separation, when bidding Paul farewell. It may have been when leaving him in captivity, as Timothy departed to his own service. Whenever it might have been, it plainly shows that the affection of Paul was fully reciprocated. It was the recollection of this parting, combined with his own ardent love, that led him to desire to see Timothy, that he might be filled with joy, for to him the Apostle could unburden his heart and be refreshed in the enjoyment of Timothy’s love and fellowship. Many a servant, in times of declension, has thus learned the sweetness and encouragement of real heart fellowship concerning the work of the Lord.
Unfeigned Faith
Then, putting Timothy in this respect in a similar position to his own in relation to his ancestors, he adds, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded in thee also” (vs. 5). The position is similar, but it is not, as in Paul’s case, a “good conscience,” but “unfeigned faith,” for Timothy had no Jewish ancestry; his father was a Greek. And hence, though his mother was a Jewess, he was unclean according to the Jewish law. He is thus traced back only to the commencement of the Christian faith in his family, which dated from his grandmother.
It is a beautiful picture, drawn for our instruction, for we learn from this same epistle that Timothy from a child had known (no doubt through the teaching of these pious women, or at least his mother) the Holy Scriptures. Both the grandmother and the mother, as well as Timothy, had embraced the Christian faith, and the Apostle seems to regard this fact as proving the greater reality of “the faith” in Timothy’s soul and as laying him, as will afterward be seen, under all the more solemn obligation of faithfulness to the Lord in this loose and corrupt epoch of the church. The reflection surely reminds us that it is a priceless blessing to have godly parents, who seek to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The judgment seat of Christ alone will reveal how much Timothy was indebted, in the grace of God, to the instructions of his mother Eunice. May such parents ever abound in the church of God!
The Gift of God
The expression of the Apostle’s heart to Timothy, as well as his longing desire to see him, is preparatory to the appeal contained in verses 6-8. It is indeed the groundwork on which he builds up his exhortations. He thus drew the heart of Timothy to himself, to prepare him to receive his message. “Wherefore,” he says, “I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” (vs. 6).
Unappreciated Gift
Previously he had been warned not to “neglect” it (1 Tim. 4:14); now he is more urgently exhorted on the same subject. This points to a common danger. When there is a real action of the Spirit of God among the saints, when His power is demonstrated in edification and restoration or in conversion, the ministry of the Word is welcomed and appreciated. But in times of coldness, indifference and apostasy, the saints will not endure sound teaching, but after their own lusts they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they will turn away from the truth (1 Tim. 4:3-4).
Then comes the danger to the servant of the Lord. Seeing that his ministry is no longer received, he is tempted to retire, to lapse into silence, or to resolve with Jeremiah not to speak any more in the Lord’s name to the people (Jer. 20:99Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. (Jeremiah 20:9)). As knowing the heart and the tendency of Timothy, Paul provides against this snare by urging him to rouse himself and to stir up by constant use the gift he had received for the correction and edification of the Lord’s people. The greater the confusion and departure from the truth, the greater the need for a real and living ministry, but in order to maintain this, the servant must learn to draw his strength and courage, not from the faces of the people, but from abiding and secret communion with the Lord.
Power, Love and Sound Mind
If the Lord, through His apostle, summons Timothy to more diligent service, He also draws his attention to the source of his power. “For,” continues the Apostle, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (vs. 7). The first clause, which might be rendered the spirit of “cowardice,” reveals Timothy’s special weakness. He evidently was a man, like Jeremiah, of a timid, shrinking spirit — one who, unless under the sway of the Holy Spirit, found difficulty facing dangers and opponents. But while the servant of the Lord “must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient” (ch. 2:24), he must be also as bold as a lion in the defense of the truth and in maintaining the honor of his Lord. Timothy is therefore taught that the spirit God gives is not one of fear or cowardice, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
These are three remarkable words, and they require a little examination. First, it is a spirit of power, for if God bestows gift, He gives also the power to exercise it, if there is the state of soul for its use. It is important to remember the connection between state of soul and the power of the Spirit. The gift may abide even in one who is unfaithful or indifferent, but the power to use it will not be present unless its possessor is walking in dependence upon God, acknowledging that the power is outside of himself, and he is in the realization of his own utter weakness. This is the Apostle’s point. “God,” he says, “hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power.” If therefore Timothy was animated with fear or timidity, he should know that this is not the spirit God gives, for His Spirit is one of power.
These two things are to be noted — the source of the power and the character of the spirit given — “of love.” The Apostle follows in this the same order as in 1 Corinthians. In chapter 12 he speaks of spiritual manifestations in the assembly, and, at the end of the chapter, of workers of miracles, gifts of healing, and speaking with tongues — all of which are connected with displays of power.
And then in the next chapter, he proceeds to speak of love, teaching that if anyone spoke with the tongues of men and angels and had not love, he would become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, for, in truth, divine power can only be wielded by the Spirit, through a divine nature, for love is the expression of that nature. The flesh, man’s sinful nature, can never be used in the Lord’s service, and thus power and love — divine, holy love — can never be dissociated. There will also be, as a consequence of love, a sound mind, or, as it has been translated, a “wise discretion,” for when governed by the Spirit of God, the servant will always exhibit divine wisdom in his work and be kept in quiet control in the presence of God. He will know when to speak and when to be silent, when to be in season and when to be out of season, for he will be maintained in communion with the mind of his Lord.
E. Dennett, adapted