"I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." — 2 Tim 1:6-7
Anyone who has even a moderate exposure to people has encountered some who are honorable and others who are not. It is surprising how difficult it is readily to distinguish the one kind of person from the other. Though first impressions may be lasting they are not necessarily accurate. Phygelus and Hermogenes seemed to be Paul’s supporters. But when Paul needed them most they deserted him. Paul sought to surround himself with people whose heartbeat for Christ and the ministry was similar to his own. However, he was not entirely successful. It is not always easy to judge a person’s heart based on the words he or she speaks. Paul indicates that there are several things that shape people’s character: their family background, their mentors and peers, God’s call upon their lives, and their willingness to live a God-centered discipline life.
Though a person cannot control what kind of family he comes from, like it or not his family will profoundly affect his character and personality. Everyone is responsible for the kind of person he or she ends up becoming, but one’s family life certainly impacts the end product. Max Jukes, for example, was an atheistic contemporary of the great American theologian Jonathan Edwards. He lived a godless life and he married an ungodly woman. Their descendants include 310 who died as paupers, 150 criminals, 7 murderers, 100 drunkards, and more than half of their female progeny were prostitutes. By way of contrast, the godly Sarah and Jonathan Edwards left multiple generations of individuals who had a tremendous impact for good: of their many descendants, 13 became college presidents, 65 college professors, 3 United States senators, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 physicians, 75 army and navy officers, 100 preachers and missionaries, 60 authors of prominence, one vice-president of the United States, 80 public officials, governors of states, and ministers to foreign countries (see Leonard Ravenhill, www.ravenhill.org/edwards.htm).
Of course, the Bible does not excuse anyone for bad behavior. While one’s home environment may not be ideal it is never an excuse for unrighteousness, nor is it the final determiner of a person’s moral state. Ezekiel 18 sheds some light on this subject. The prophet writes that if someone has a godly parent it is no guarantee that the child will be righteous. A son or daughter may neglect his or her righteous heritage for a life of sin. That person will die for his or her sin: Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel 18.4). And the opposite case is equally true: if a child has a parent who is devoted to sin, but he himself abhors that evil lifestyle and lives a godly life, he will not suffer for the sins of his father. This is very dramatically demonstrated in the case of the godly Josiah who rejected the corrupt practices of his wicked father Amon (see 2 Kgs 22-23; 2 Chr 34-35).
TIMOTHY’S “FAMILY” (2 Timothy 1.2-7)
Though Paul calls Timothy his beloved child, he was not his natural father. Paul’s affection for Timothy stems from their long-term partnership together in gospel ministry. That Paul held Timothy in the highest esteem is evident from various references to him in his letters: I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel (Philippians 2.19-22; cp. 1 Corinthians 4.14-16). Now, near the point of his departure (i.e. death) (2 Timothy 4.6) Paul is writing this “final” letter to his young protégé. One can only speculate how great an impact his words must have had on this young man.
Paul’s opening salutation, Grace, peace and mercy, is not a mere courtesy, but the prayerful intercession of a spiritual father on behalf of his son in the faith. They are words charged with theological weight and aimed at the heart of one who has experienced the redemptive love of God. What follows in this brief letter is an encouragement to remain true to God’s claim upon his life. Timothy was first commissioned to the ministry when Paul laid his hands upon him. Three times in three sentences Paul says I remember or I am reminded of something in your life. Obviously, the relationship between the two men is deep and long lasting.
Paul’s ancestors had left him a godly heritage. It was a tradition that he followed with a clear conscience, though he did so initially as a pious Jew unenlightened by the gospel. As a Christian he now continues in wholehearted and enlightened commitment to God: I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief (1 Timothy 1.12-13). However, Paul’s real success in ministry is tied to the ongoing work of his disciples and it is the continuation of this work that is central to this letter. Though Paul’s own death is imminent, his chief occupation is the continuation of the ministry through the work of his apostolic delegates like Timothy.
Like Paul himself (cf. 2 Timothy 1.3), Timothy had a godly influence in his life. His grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice were both women of faith. Paul points out that those who are blessed with a godly heritage have a great advantage in life. Although Timothy’s Greek father was apparently not a believer, his Jewish mother was a devout Christian (Acts 16.1). It is implausible that all three generations had come to faith under the preaching of Paul. Rather, prior to Paul’s visit to Lystra, it seems likely that as a child Timothy would have been instructed in the Scriptures by his mother. In this, Timothy’s upbringing partially parallels Paul’s pilgrimage (Philippians 3.3-7). Christian readers should note that when Jews come to faith, they are in no way being disloyal to the traditions of their fathers. Quite to the contrary, by embracing faith in Christ they embrace the same faith as Abraham (Romans 4.1-12; cp. Acts 26.6-8).
PEER RELATIONSHIPS
There is no denying the profound effect Paul had on Timothy’s life. He was more than a mentor, he was a dear friend. Though people do not choose their family, they can choose chose their friends. Paul invested heavily in the life of Timothy and it was an investment that paid large dividends. On an early occasion when, by the providence of God, they had been separated Timothy could not withhold his tears. And, in his turn, Paul longed to see his friend and partner in the gospel so that he might be filled with joy by knowing that God continued to work in and through him. We have no way of knowing how many of Paul’s letters were not preserved for us, but that we have two letters to Timothy certainly indicates Paul’s avuncular affection for him, which could not fail to shape his life. Jesus commissioned his apostles to make disciples: that is, to pour their lives into the lives of others. This is what Paul did in Timothy and it is what he encourages him to do for others: You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2.1-2; cp. Philippians 3.17; 4.8-9). John Stott writes the following words of gratitude for the pastor that led him to Christ: “I thank God for the man who led me to Christ and for the extraordinary devotion with which he nurtured me in the early years of my Christian life. He wrote to me every week for, I think, seven years. He also prayed for me every day. I believe he still does. I can only begin to guess what I owe, under God, to such a faithful friend and pastor” (John Stott, The Message of 2 Timothy, p. 29).
GOD’S GIFT AND THE BELIEVER’S WORK
Though parents and friends may have a lasting impact on a person’s life, it is the inward work of the Holy Spirit that ultimately conforms believers to his will (cp. Ephesians 2.20; 4.11-13; Philippians 1.6; 2.13; 1 Thessalonians 5.23-24). Thus, Paul reminds Timothy: fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Though we cannot know with certainty precisely what gift Paul is referring to, we are safe in acknowledging that Timothy was entrusted with pastoral and teaching responsibilities and that Paul had an active role in that commissioning service (1.6). A marathon runner often reaches a point in the race when he seems to ‘hit the wall.’ If he wants to compete successfully he must overcome the mental and physical exhaustion that cries out for him to save himself and drop out of the race. Paul was near the finish line and his words of encouragement must have carried additional weight for Timothy. Paul had no qualms about encouraging others to follow his example right into the mouth of lions. Was it Timothy’s physical limitations (1 Timothy 5.23) or his apparent timidity (1 Corinthians 16.10), or his youth (1 Timothy 4.12; 2 Timothy 2.22) or the opposition he faced in ministry (1 Timothy 1.3-7, 19-20; 4.6-7; 6.3-10; 2 Timothy 2.14-19), or something else altogether that prompted Paul’s comments? We simply don’t know. But whatever it was, Paul was eager for Timothy to stay the course, even to increase his resolve to follow his mentor and finish the race well. Paul is passing the baton on to his friend and colleague along with these final words of encouragement and instruction.
The privilege of ministry is a gift of the Holy Spirit and the power to advance the gospel is from him as well. However, God does not give Christians a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and self-control. Paul does not direct Timothy to have confidence in his own innate abilities; rather, he is to acknowledge the power of the indwelling Spirit. Paul never suggests that Christians will have an easy time of it. The Holy Spirit does not invade Christian lives and mystically transform them into spiritual superheroes. What Paul frequently does say is that Christians are to live self-controlled and disciplined lives: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2.11-14). As he does here with Timothy, Paul commonly encourages believers to follow his example: Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us (Philippians 3.17; 4.9; 1 Corinthians 4.16; 1 Thessalonians 1.6).
While many have abandoned Paul (4.16) Paul encourages Timothy to remain faithful. It is not for his sake alone that Paul appeals, but for the sake of the gospel. Paul is not ashamed of it, nor should Timothy be ashamed of it or of those who suffer for the sake of it. So too for all Christians: if they remain true to their calling then they must remain true to the One who calls, and if true to God, then they must also be true to all who love him. As with Timothy, so too with all believers: they need to guard all that has been entrusted to them. Even though they appear to stand alone, they are not truly alone, for the Lord will stand by them and strengthen them (4.17).
