You can tell a lot about a relationship by the way people address each other. One of the most ironic of addresses is the "dear sir/madam" form letter address. In no way can someone be described as "dear" if we do not even know their name. When we give mother’s day cards, one of the basic addresses is to that of our "dear mother" or our "dear wife". The natural difference of course from the form letters, is that this "dear" greeting is to one of a very special relationship.
The greeting in 2 Timothy consists of a single sentence in the Greek. It has the customary threefold structure of the Greco-Roman letter: the name of the sender, the recipient and the greeting (Towner, P. H. (2006). The Letters to Timothy and Titus. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (439). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).
With Paul’s letter to his protege Timothy, his very personal comments reflect principles pertinent to Paul’s discipling of Timothy. Not only does this letter reflect on some special women in timothy’s life, but it is also a tender reflection pertinent to Christian parents, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, pastors, counselors, neighbors, and friends—or to any believer who is helping another grow toward maturity in Jesus Christ and effectiveness in ministry.
Six implicit, but easily discernable, principles of motivation towards faithfulness presented here, are that of: 1) Authority (2 Timothy 1:1–2a), 2) Altruism (2 Timothy 1:2b), 3) Appreciation 2 Timothy 1:3a), 4) Appeal (2 Timothy 1:3b), 5) Affection (2 Timothy 1:4), and 6) Affirmation (2 Timothy 1:5).
1) Authority (2 Timothy 1:1–2a)
2 Timothy 1:1-2a [1:1]Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, [2]To Timothy, my beloved child: (Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord). (ESV)
The first principle of godly and successful motivation is that of authority, as seen in the opening declaration by Paul that he was an apostle of Christ Jesus. Paul’s apostleship already was well understood by Timothy. It is mentioned here by way of reminder that, despite their close and loving relationship, Paul ranked above Timothy in spiritual authority because he brought the Word of the Lord and was writing in that capacity.
Intimacy does not preclude authority. The relationship of love that parents have with their children does not preclude their authority over their children. A parent-child relationship of love without authority is doomed to tragedy for the entire family. No matter how cordial a working relationship may exist, a business cannot succeed if employees refuse to recognize and submit to the employer’s authority over them.
Although they shared a deep friendship, Paul’s loving salutation to Timothy carried the full weight of his apostleship. Apostolos (apostle) literally means one who is sent out, “a messenger,” as it is sometimes translated (See, e.g., 2 Cor. 8:23; Phil. 2:25). But in the New Testament it more commonly carries the connotation of ambassador, a representative who carries with him the authority of the one he represents.
God chose Paul for special work: “He is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel …” (Acts 9:15). Paul did not seek this apostleship; instead, he was chosen by God. Thus, Paul could truthfully say he was an apostle by the will of God (Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., & Wilson, N. S. (1993). 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus. Life application Bible commentary (154). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.)
As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul stood in the place of Christ and spoke the Word of Christ, and he did so by the will of God the Almighty Father. The high sense of apostolic vocation that gripped Paul was grounded in the conviction that this was the will of God for his life. A TV commercial once offered a particular credit card as the key that could open the door to the good life, flashing a definition of success on the screen: “Success is the freedom to live your life the way you want to.” The scene then shifted to a couple using their credit card in a Swiss resort! Paul knew a great deal about travel, though his accommodations were sometimes provided by the government. His definition of success was more like: “Success is to live your life the way God wants you to.” (Demarest, G. W., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1984). Vol. 32: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 32 : 1, 2 Thessalonians / 1, 2 Timothy / Titus. The Preacher’s Commentary series (242). Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc.)
Paul writes Timothy not merely as a dear friend but as a divinely commissioned ambassador of God the Father and God the Son. He is not offering brotherly counsel but declaring divine truth with firm authority.
Please turn to Ephesians 6
For everyone who lives under the authority of their parents, your Father and Mother are to be obeyed because you are entrusted to them from God. As they instruct you and are responsible for you, when you disobey them in their godly counsel, you in essence disobey God
Ephesians 6:1-3 [6:1]Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2]"Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), [3]"that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." (ESV)
• Not only is it right to obey the godly instructions from your parents ("in the Lord"), it is actually of benefit to you.
• We take this day to honor our mothers as we should honor them at all times as explicitly directed by God.
Paul instructs Timothy according to, meaning “in conformity to,” the gospel, here called the promise of life in Christ Jesus. Paul’s calling to serve the will of God as a messenger of the Savior was to be discharged by proclaiming the saving good news that those who are dead in sin can find life in Christ Jesus. A favored phrase of Paul was in Christ Jesus, which signified his own and every believer’s union with our Lord and Savior through participation in His death, resurrection, and eternal life. Jesus gives the divine promise that “whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16) and “have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
• Of all the promises we make to our children, the one most important and significant in every way is a clear presentation of the truth of eternal life in Christ Jesus. As much as mother’s are to be concerned about the physical health of their children, the spiritual health rooted in God’s promises must be forefront.
Every worthy father and mother deeply desires an unbreakable and rich relationship with his children. In the same way, Paul not only desired but experienced and expressed the intimacy of bonding love that he shared with Timothy. Paul most likely met the young Timothy and his mother, Eunice, and grandmother Lois (1:5) when Paul and Barnabas visited Lystra, a city in the province of Galatia, on the first missionary journey (Acts 14:8–21). On the second missionary journey, Paul and Silas traveled to several cities that Paul had already visited, including Lystra, “where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer…. He was well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him” (Acts 16:1–3). So the young disciple, Timothy, traveled the empire with Paul, preaching and teaching the Good News. He became Paul’s assistant—traveling with, and sometimes for, the great apostle. (Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., & Wilson, N. S. (1993). 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus. Life application Bible commentary (156). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.)
Paul describes Timothy as his beloved child/son. As far as we know, Paul did not have any children; .... Yet in Timothy he had a “dear son,” one who was closer to him than a birth child. Through the gospel God enabled Paul to “give birth” to Timothy as his son in the faith(Schuetze, A. W. (1991). 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus. The People’s Bible (111). Milwaukee, Wis.: Northwestern Pub. House.)
• Biblical discipleship can have a stronger tie than even biology. Women can have a daughter in the faith in discipling her even without having physical children (Titus 2)
Between Paul and Timothy, just as this intimacy did not preclude authority, neither did authority preclude intimacy. As a loving spiritual parent, Paul spoke with apostolic authority to his son in the faith. That authority gave Timothy a strong incentive for obedience.
Illustration: (Mother’s Love)
A Mother’s love is something that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it or take that love away...
It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking...
It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems...
It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation,
and it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation...
A many-splendored miracle man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence of God’s tender guiding hand (Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.).
Mother’s can motivate their children though:
2) Altruism (2 Timothy 1:2b)
2 Timothy 1:2ba [2](To Timothy, my beloved child): Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
Although commonly expressed as a greeting, these were not just words but the expression of a genuine desire for God’s best to be reality in the young preacher’s life.
Timothy was to be motivated by Paul’s altruism, his unselfish concern for and devotion to the welfare of others. Like every believer, his young protege was saved by divine grace, the unmerited favor of God’s providing forgiveness and justification. The apostle wanted his son in the faith to continually live in divine mercy, the inexpressible blessing of deliverance from the misery that sin deserves and creates. God is merciful when He does not give us what we deserve; that is, judgment and condemnation (McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed.) (2 Ti 1:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).
• A Faithful mother emulates God in a special way when she shows mercy to those who rightly deserve condemnation. There are indeed corrective times where rebuke is necessary, yet it is a godly thing that a mother can show mercy. Mercy at an appropriate time often will lead to peace.
Paul wanted Timothy to continue in full peace of mind and heart, the inner tranquillity produced by divine grace and mercy. Paul wanted Timothy to have the best that God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord offer to redeemed sinners: grace to cover sin, mercy to overrule misery, and peace to dominate life.
• A Godly mother will not work towards a child’s self esteem but that the child would first and foremost esteem God and thereby live in the Grace, mercy and peace that esteeming God above all will provide.
• If we want to truly motivate other believers, we must, like Paul, have genuine, loving, and unqualified concern for their full spiritual blessing. In addition to their recognizing our authority under God, we want our brothers and sisters in Christ to know that they are loved by us without reservation.
Illustration (Mother’s Sacrifice)
A teacher asked a boy this question: “Suppose your mother baked a pie and there were seven of you—your parents and five children. What part of the pie would you get?” “A sixth,” replied the boy. “I’m afraid you don’t know your fractions,” said the teacher. “Remember, there are seven of you.” “Yes, teacher,” said the boy, “but you don’t know my mother. Mother would say she didn’t want any pie. (“Bits and Pieces, June, 1990, p. 10)
Mother’s can motivate their children though:
3) Appreciation (2 Timothy 1:3a)
2 Timothy 1:3 [3]I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, (as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day). (ESV)
Not only was Paul a blessing to Timothy, but Timothy was a blessing to Paul. I thank God for you, the apostle assured him, saying in effect, “I am grateful for what God has done for me through you.” While Paul was incarcerated in the dark, damp, dangerous, filthy, and stinking Roman prison, he nevertheless rejoiced that the Lord had given him the privilege of knowing and discipling Timothy. He was not bitter or resentful. He had no anger or hatred for those who placed him in prison or for the hardened and brutal criminals who were beside him. He did not lament the unjust and cruel execution he knew soon awaited him. His thoughts were on his sovereign God and on memories of his beloved son in the spirit, with whom he had spent so many blessed hours in mutual service of God and whom he likely would never see again in the flesh. Only the Lord could give such an unbelievably beautiful perspective!
• One of the most difficult thing for a parent to have is to live through the death of a child. As much as we should comfort someone in such a circumstance, ultimately, only God can provide a sweet memory and peace over such a pain.
• Yet in our every day life, for the children still under our care, they must never think that our ministry to them is ever a burden no matter the difficulty.
• For a godly mother to produce respectful and appreciative children, she must first show respect and appreciation to them.
In the midst of unimaginable physical misery, Paul not only continued to praise God but did so with deep gratitude from a guiltless mind and heart. With full conviction and truthfulness he could testify, “I serve the Lord and continually stand before Him as did (his) ancestors/forefathers with a clear conscience.” Latreō (Serve) was sometimes used of godly worship or even priestly service. The verb “serve” carries the full-orbed meaning that it does in the Romans thanksgiving. The force of the present tense of the verb, determined by the following backwards-looking time reference (“as my ancestors …”), is to stress mainly continuity and consistency of action—Paul’s service to God is something he has been doing in the past and continues to do now. The verb thus links Paul’s apostolic ministry intentionally to OT patterns of service to God.(Towner, P. H. (2006). The Letters to Timothy and Titus. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (449). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).
• For Paul, although confined to a prison, he still saw his actions as present tense service. Do not think because of distance or physical limitation you still cannot be of service to your children. It is often through prayer and godly counsel that some of the most powerful assistance can be rendered.
• In reference to the outcome of service as Paul was, the ultimate desire that a godly mother should aspire is that her son or daughter serve Christ in whatever occupation he or she undertakes.
As the aging apostle stood near death, Paul could testify that his conscience did not accuse or condemn him. His guilt was forgiven, and his devotion was undivided. “After careful self-examination,” he said, in effect, “I can say with sincerity that, although I am not perfect, I am living in holiness before the Lord.” He wanted Timothy to have no doubt that he endured his present physical afflictions, as he had countless others, because of his unswerving faithfulness to the Lord, not as a consequence of unfaithful, ungodly living.
Although even the most spiritual believer cannot know his own heart with complete certainty or understanding, it not only is possible but expected that, like Paul, every Christian have a clear conscience. To continually reject God’s truth causes the conscience to become progressively less sensitive to sin, as if covered with layers of unspiritual scar tissue. Paul’s conscience was very clear and very sensitive, and he responded readily to its convicting voice.
Paul does not explain whom he meant by ancestors/forefathers but he obviously was speaking of godly men and women who had lived in former times. Unlike Timothy, Paul had no godly heritage from his immediate family. He had an impressive religious heritage, but he utterly discounted that as so much rubbish (Phil. 3:4–8). It therefore seems more probable that he was referring to the patriarchs, prophets, and other Old Testament saints. It is also possible that he had in mind the other apostles and the many other godly believers in the early church who preceded him in faith.
Please turn to Acts 24
Acts 24:14–16 is the parallel to our passage. There Paul uses the same verb and the same tense: λατρεύω τῷ πατρόῳ Θεῷ, and with the adjective refers to his ancestry (2 Cor. 11:22); he likewise speaks of his conscience: (Lenski, R. C. H. (1937). The interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, to the Thessalonians, to Timothy, to Titus and to Philemon (745–746). Columbus, O.: Lutheran Book Concern.)
Acts 24:14-16 [14]But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, [15]having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. [16]So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. (ESV)
• The true God whom Paul is now serving (present tense) in clean conscience he learned to know from his forebears.
• A mother cannot have faith for her son or daughter, and she may struggle with an ungodly upbringing that she endured, but the cycle can end with her by her godly example to her son or daughter.
Illustration: (3621 The Statue Of Liberty)
The Statue Of Liberty has towered above Bedlow Island, near the entrance to New York Harbor, as a symbol of freedom. The famous sculptor, Bartholdi, gave twenty years of devoted effort to the work, personally superintending the raising of the subscription of $4,000,000 with which the French nation gave the statue to the United States. When the subscriptions lagged, Bartholdi pledged his own private fortune to defray the running expenses and practically impoverished himself over the work. At the start, when Bartholdi looked for a model whose form and features he could reproduce as “Liberty,” he received much contradictory counsel. One of the leading art authorities advised him that the statue should depict “figures of thought which are grand in themselves.” After examining outstanding heroes, Bartholdi chose as a model for the colossal masterpiece—his own mother (Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.).
Mother’s can motivate their children though:
4) Appeal (2 Timothy 1:3b),
2 Timothy 1:3b [3](I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience), as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. (ESV)
A fourth element of motivation was Paul’s constant appeal to the Lord on Timothy’s behalf. It is hard to imagine the strength and encouragement that Paul’s intercession gave to his young friend as he ministered in Ephesus and other parts of Asia Minor without Paul’s companionship.
The adverb adialeiptōs (constantly) refers to that which is unceasing, without interruption. We can be sure that Paul’s saying I remember you constantly was not hyperbole. The apostle had used the same word in exhorting Thessalonian believers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17), and he was himself accustomed to doing no less. Prayers is from deēsis, which in the New Testament always carries the idea of genuine entreaty and supplication before God.
Paul already had assured believers of his unceasing prayers and concern for them (1:2–3). He gave similar assurance to believers in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:4), in Philippi (Phil. 1:3–4), in Colossae (Col. 1:3), and to his dear friend Philemon (Philem. 4).
• There is nothing wrong with praying for our children and we should do so continually, yet we should be careful that we do not only focus on either the most talented or troublesome. There are differing things either to develop or root out of the heart of a child that a godly mother prays for all her children.
At first glance, the reference to night and day seems redundant and somewhat inappropriate. It seems redundant because, by definition, constantly means around the clock, and inappropriate because it is likely that Paul and his fellow prisoners could not distinguish one hour from another in that dungeon. But he doubtless used the phrase night and day in the way it is often used today, as a figure of speech expressing continuity. He simply wanted to reinforce his devotion to Timothy.
There is no better way to motivate other believers, and a godly mother for her children, to consider their accountability to be faithful and to move their hearts in service of Christ than to continually hold them up before the Lord in prayer—and to tell them of it.
Illustration: (3671 Prayer’s Chain Reaction)
Picture an old woman with a halo of silvered hair—the hot tears flowing down her furrowed cheeks—her worn hands busy over a washboard in a room of poverty—praying—for her son John—John who ran away from home in his teens to become a sailor—John of whom it was now reported that he had become a very wicked man—praying, praying always, that her son might be of service to God. The mother believed in two things, the power of prayer and the reformation of her son. God answered the prayer by working a miracle in the heart of John Newton.
John Newton, the sailor-preacher, instrumental in abolishing slavery and the proclamation of the gospel. This resulted because a mother took God at His word and prayed that her son’s heart might become as white as the soapsuds in the washtub.
(Springs in the Valley as recorded in Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopaedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.)
Mother’s can motivate their children though:
5) Affection (2 Timothy 1:4)
2 Timothy 1:4 [4]As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. (ESV)
A fifth principle for motivating other believers, especially those we may be discipling, is to love them and to express genuine affection for them. I remember/recall your tears, the apostle says, perhaps referring to their time of last parting, following a brief visit to Ephesus sometime after writing his first letter to Timothy and before he was arrested at Nicopolis and taken prisoner to Rome.
• (Tears of a child)
Paul greatly missed Timothy’s companionship and long to see him. To long is from epipotheō, a verb denoting intense desire or yearning for. Later in the letter he reflects the same aching desire, imploring Timothy, “Make every effort to come to me soon” (4:9), and “When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus… [and] make every effort to come before winter” (vv. 13, 21).
Although he doubtless realized he might never see Timothy again, even the remote prospect of such a reunion filled Paul with joy.
Knowing the apostle’s deep love and yearning to see him again surely filled Timothy with joy as well and inspired still greater commitment to follow in the footsteps of his beloved teacher and friend.
Poem: My Mother
Your love, I know—I’ve seen your tears;
You’ve given to me my life.
You’ve walked through hours and days and years
Of heartache, toil and strife.
To see that I could have the best
That you could give to me,
You gave up needs and often rest—
You viewed eternity.
To do His will my highest call
And by your special care
I stood and walked and did not fall,
You held me up in prayer.
Though strands of gray may brush your hair,
And miles divide our way,
I know that by your quiet prayer
You’ve helped me day by day.
You’ve shown me how to give, to share
To put my own needs last.
You’ve helped me see and be aware
That life is so soon past.
To spite your love I would not dare,
For there’s not another
Who spreads her gentle love and care
Like you—My Loving Mother (Source unknown as recorded in Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.).
Mother’s can finally motivate their children though:
6) Affirmation (2 Timothy 1:5)
2 Timothy 1:5 [5]I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (ESV)
The final principle of motivation Paul alludes to is that of affirmation. In the two previous verses Paul mentions his remembering Timothy in prayer and recalling his tears. Now again he reflects on their intimate association, this time being reminded/mindful of Timothy’s sincere faith.
Anupokritos (sincere) is a compound word, composed of a negative prefix attached to hupokritēs, from which we get the obviously related English word hypocrite. Timothy’s faith was completely genuine, unhypocritical, without pretense or deceit. In a mother’s instruction, this should form a scripture centered judgment in a child:
1 Timothy 1:5 [5]The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (ESV)
Timothy had a heritage of sincere faith within [him], which dwelt first in [his] grandmother Lois, and [his] mother Eunice. The reference to Lois and Eunice suggests that Paul knew those women personally and perhaps was instrumental, along with Barnabas, in winning them to Christ during his first missionary journey, which had taken him through Timothy’s home area of Galatia (Acts 13:13–14:21). They probably were Jewish believers under the Old Covenant who immediately received Jesus as their Messiah, Savior, and Lord when they first heard the gospel from the lips of Paul. By the time of Paul’s second journey, the women had led their grandson and son to the Lord.
• A mother enters a special relationship with her son or daughter when they in turn have children. These children should look with humility for perspective on the situations they face, and the grandparents have a unique privilege in being spiritual guides and examples to their grandchildren.
Timothy was Paul’s indirect son in the faith who had come to belief through the witness of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, who had been led to faith directly by the apostle.
2 Timothy 3:15 [15]and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
A high percentage of the great men and women throughout church history have come from godly homes. Timothy’s father was an unbelieving Gentile (Acts 16:3), but his mother and grandmother were believers of great godliness. Paul commends them for the immense influence for good they had on Timothy and for the sincere faith that the apostle was sure to be in Timothy as well.
• It is a blessing for a godly mother, or grandmother to have a partner in the faith to help in the nurture and instruction of her children, yet, through God’s grace even without that help, God can use these individuals to change the world.
(Format Note: Outline & some base commentary from MacArthur, J. (1996). 2 Timothy (1–7). Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press.)
