Timothy was the most trusted and the most endeared to the Apostle Paul's heart among all his yoke-fellows. "I have no man like minded" as Timothy. He was a Jew on his mother's side; both she and his grandmother Lois were of that faithful remnant who were waiting, amid the general apostasy of the nation, for the hope of Israel. Had they been resident in Jerusalem, they would have been found like Simeon and Anna, in the temple to await and welcome the infant Savior. They had "unfeigned faith" and accordingly the youthful Timothy was trained up in the knowledge of the Scriptures. "From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:15. If this were more perseveringly done by parents, how much more often would the conversion of their children be the reward of their diligence.
It is likely that he received the truth at the first visit of Paul with Barnabas at Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:6, 20, 21). A youth so trained would imbibe the truth of a crucified Messiah by the mouth of such a one as Paul with great fervor and delight. There was time between Acts 14 and 16, for the word to have taken root, so that the depth and solidity of his character could be witnessed to and be well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that a bishop was not to be a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded." Titus 2:6. Before they go out towards others, they need to be deepened and exercised in their own souls. While in prison at Rome, one of Paul's sorrows arose from those who preached "Christ even of envy and strife." Phil. 1:15.
A Young Man Disappointed as to Barnabas, Paul's heart found a solace in Timothy. The Lord gave him a young man whom he could train after his own thoughts and send forth as his accredited agent upon any mission which required judgment. It may be that his "often infirmities" ballasted the precocity of his mind, and produced in him a depth of reflection, a quietness of manner, and a discrimination of character qualities so often found where there is weakness of body.
The personal affection of the apostle for Timothy breaks out continually. It is really like that of a father for a most loved child who reciprocates that affection. It appears more often in the second epistle. After a long course of fellowship in service, he had proved his worth. (2 Tim. 1:3, 4.) He seems to completely identify himself with Timothy and to suppose that he alone was capable of carrying on the work after his own death.
Paul could introduce him to the churches without fear, as an example, and as one in whom they could confide. Not only in the epistles does his name often appear with Paul's in the address, but he was frequently commending him as having the same single-eyed purpose as himself. Thus, "I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel." Phil. 2:20-22.
This love was not only a liking for the qualities in the man. No, he loved in this way, but he also loved in Christ and he loved too, because their views were thoroughly in accord in the service and faith of Christ. And here it may be well to allude to a guard which he had in the choice of such an instrument as Timothy.
The Human Side
There are always two sides in Scripture—the human and the divine. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" is the human side. When Paul went up with Barnabas to the council, they (that is, the brethren) determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about a certain question. This was the human side.
The Divine Side
But Paul had another resource; he went up by revelation and communicated unto them that gospel which he preached among the Gentiles. (Gal. 2:2.) This was the divine side. And so with Timothy, much as he liked him, and preferred him to Titus, Silas, or Luke, yet Paul was divinely bound to employ Timothy. "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee" 1 Tim. 1:18. Thus it became known in a public way that he was not only the beloved and trusted friend of the apostle, but had a kind of public service committed to him by the voice of prophecy. There could have been no jealousy of his position. Meeting with him at Lystra, Paul makes him the companion of all his purposes and thoughts. "Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith.”
Timothy is with him in all the journey through Phrygia and Galatia, until the vision of Paul at Troas. (Acts 16:9.) Here Timothy appears for the first time to have left him the narrative being taken up by Luke, as we suppose from the first person plural "we." We do not find his name mentioned during Paul's stay at Philippi, where it is possible Luke was left on the departure of Paul. Acts 17 takes the narrative up again in the third person.
At Thessalonica Timothy is again his companion (Acts 17:14), and at Corinth (Acts 18:5), and also at Ephesus (Acts 19:22), from whence he was sent into Macedonia. In Acts 20:4, we find his name among those who accompanied Paul into Asia, and the narrative is resumed by Luke. We have several notices of Timothy during the apostle's detention at Rome, as he is conjoined in the address to the Philippians with the hope, too, of sending him speedily to them. His name also appears in the epistle to the Colossians and to Philemon. He is mentioned to the Hebrews as having been lately loosed from prison, but not at that time with the Apostle Paul.
Impending Apostasy
Many interesting questions arise in connection with the two epistles to Timothy. The date of the first may be put (although on all such points we must speak hesitatingly) soon after Acts 22:1. (Compare 1 Tim. 1:3.) It appears to be a filling up or expansion of that to Titus—there being a greater breadth in the details, but also a new feature in the shape of a warning as to an impending apostasy. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith." It looks very much like Romanism.
There is an injunction to put "the brethren in remembrance of these things." Otherwise there might still be correction, amendment, and growth—the house of God is still recognized as "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." In the second epistle, the last Paul ever wrote, there had been a present departure as far as the Church went, for he says, "All they which are in Asia [all the recognized teachers] be turned away from me" (2 Tim. 1:15), even though the impending apostasy was more fearful in his apprehension. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come," and then follows a list of vices identical with those of Rom. 1 with the addition of "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." The house of 1 Tim. 3 is now likened to a great house, with vessels of wood and of earth. Meanwhile, the Scriptures are given their true and immense value (2 Tim. 3:15, 17), as at all times where there is a failure in living men.
In both epistles it is certain that the apostle puts a just value upon his own position as set for the defense and confirmation of the gospel, but more especially in the second, where his only hope seems to be in the steadfastness of Timothy. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.... For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine." 2 Tim. 4:2, 3. He sees that everything had failed or was to fail. He relates his testimony, his treatment, and his prospects to a beloved friend.
A Good Degree—Boldness
Three things are very remarkable as to Timothy's position.
1. "The prophecies which went before on thee." 1 Tim. 1:18.
2. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on the hands of the presbytery." 1 Tim. 4:14.
3. "I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." 2 Tim. 1:6.
Passing over any question of progress in the apostolic powers of Paul, do these notices indicate progress in Timothy's life? Was it principle? "They that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." 1 Tim. 3:13. Whatever is allowed on such points, one fact is palpable, that gifts are to be waited upon and may be strengthened by use. They are solemn responsibilities. "Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." Col. 4:17.
The epistles to Timothy and Titus are surely intended to balance the truths in 1 Cor. 12 and 14. Men, since the Reformation and long before, ignored or forgot these two chapters and formed their systems upon Timothy and Titus. Still, let us beware how we make light of this side of the question. Far be it from any to disparage the place which the Holy Spirit authoritatively holds in the Church, but impulse is not the commanding thought of ministry.
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." 1 Tim. 4:15, 16. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15.
Nothing is to hinder the free development of life in the body, but also "God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers.... Are all teachers?" 1 Cor. 12:28, 29. The instructions for such permanent gifts [persons], as to their general conduct, behavior, and manner of life are largely found in these Pastoral Epistles.