Did you find the purpose of Paul’s letter? If you didn’t, it’s ok. We will continue to look for the answers in a few days.
Paul was Timothy’s mentor. They first met in Lystra, in modern Turkey, where Paul healed a disabled person (a cripple). Paul was stoned because he wouldn’t let them worship him as a Greek god, Hermes. Read Acts 14:8-20. Maybe this is where Paul and Timothy first met. It doesn’t really tell us, though.
Paul asked Timothy to go with him on his second missionary trip. Read Acts 16: 1-3. Timothy’s father was Greek, and his mother was Jewish. 2 Timothy 3:14-15 says his mother taught him the Old Testament Scriptures from when he was a small child (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
Thirty years of Paul labored for the gospel. It had taken its toll on him. Paul’s body bore the brand – marks of a servant of Jesus Christ. His sufferings never changed the intensity of his love and concern for the churches, which were etched on his heart.
One of these churches was Ephesus. Timothy, Pauls’s faithful disciple, was pastoring that strategically important church. Timothy began to travel with Paul. The apostle Paul watched Timothy grow from a new convert to a mature believer, to a young pastor, and finally overseer of the house churches of Ephesus. This was the biggest and most strategic city in Asia Minor. There was a lot at stake in Ephesus – such as the purity, reputation, and expansion of the Church.
Timothy was a special leader who received a special gift as Paul, and other elders prayed and laid hands on him. Timothy was gifted, godly, and faithful. However, Timothy was timid. As we dive into this book, let’s notice what Paul tells Timothy and how God encourages this outstanding leader, surrounded by false teachers in a strategic center of the gospel.
How did Paul refer to Timothy as according to 1 Timothy 1:2?
From what you have read in 1 Timothy, when and where did Timothy meet Paul? What were Timothy’s background and reputation? What was Timothy’s relationship to Paul? When did they travel together? Where did Timothy pastor at? What does this show us? How was Timothy like other servants?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the lessons we can learn from Timothy and Paul. Would you please help us to be faithful and godly? Show us how we can learn from this passage of 1 Timothy.
In Jesus name
Amen
