THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS (2 TIMOTHY 1)
I could not pass up the chance to talk about my mentor Herman Tang. Herman is a native son of Yuen Long, Hong Kong, and a graduate of Alliance Bible Seminary in 1975 and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Everyone has something good and nothing bad to say about him. He was the closest thing to a legend in ministry. In 1997, when I heard that he was moving to another state in a few months for ministry, I bravely asked him if I could spend time with him for fellowship. He hesitated but agreed to answer all questions I asked. We bonded through lunches, coffee and meetings.
Herman is a passionate, hardworking, and wonderful human being. One time, Herman called me to drive seven to eight hours overnight with him to take a Christian sister and her kid to appear before a court for jailed relative’s court sentence for a crime he committed. The next morning, he slept on a bench before the hearing began as I closely guarded him. When ladies asked him to have breakfast with him, he would wisely took me along. Herman was jovial, wise, loving, popular and honest. Most of all, he was an encourager, unashamed to say sappy things like, “Victor, you’re the best!” and “Victor, I am happy for you.”
Because of my gray hair, a coworker here asked how could he be my mentor since we are the same age. I wrote to him saying, “How old are you? Someone said we are the same age!” He replied, “Victor, I was born in 1951 (nine years older). I know you are much younger than me. Enjoy the days of your youth!”
2 Timothy is part of a series of personal letters grouped together under the category of Pastoral Epistles, due to its focus on young ministers and the pastoral ministry. Unlike many letters Paul wrote, these letters are to people he mentored instead of places he visited. 2 Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy, his beloved protégé who followed him on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1), who proved to be a helper and a ministry to Paul (Acts 19:22). The name of Timothy appears in ten of Paul’s letters (Rom 16:21, 1 Cor 4:17, 16:10, 2 Cor 1:1, 1:19, Phil 1:1, 2:19, Col 1:1, 1 Thess 1:1, 3:2, 3:6, 2 Thess 1:1, 1 Tim 1:2, 1:18, 6:20, 2 Tim 1:2, Philem 1), more than any of Paul’s other workers. Only Ephesians and Colossians are missing his name.
Have you considered expanding your ministry? How have you impacted others? What impact do you make to their lives?
Enlarge Your Circle to Enrich Your Life
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. (2 Tim 1:1-4)
The word mentor is derived from Homer’s Odyssey. When Odyssey fought in the dangerous Trojan war for a decade, he entrusted the guidance and grooming of his son into a man into the hands of a wise and old friend by the name of Mentor, thus a mentor is the closest thing to a father to a protégé.
What is a mentor? A mentor is a not manager. He schools, supports and shapes a person under his tutelage but not suffocate or stifle him, shares with him and stands by the person but not stick to him.
What is the significance of a mentor? It’s been said,
“If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month -- get married.
If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help someone else.”
Everyone needs a mentor, but few have one and fewer consider themselves one. Paul’s affection as a mentor is well-known. In his official letters to the churches and other individuals, Paul called Timothy many things, including “our brother” (2 Cor 1:1, Col 1:1, 1 Thess 3:2, Philem 1), “our fellowlabourer” (Rom 16:21, 1 Thess 3:2), and “servant of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:1), but in his personal letters to Timothy he is “my son” (1 Tim 1:18, 2 Tim 2:1), “my own (gnesios) son” (1 Tim 1:2) and “my dear (agapetos) son” (v 2). “Son” is the most affectionate name of Paul and his favorite term for Timothy in the Pastoral Epistles, even though Paul was unashamed to call others such as Titus (Tit 1:4) and Onesimus “my son” too (Philem 10). Calling Timothy son is out of a fond, friendly and fruitful relationship tested over time, trust and triumph.
The nature of the relationship between Paul and Timothy was not out of personal or financial gain, never to manipulate but to motivate others. It was out of selfless, stirring and stimulating reasons, based on grace/thanksgiving (charis) in verse 3, passion (“desiring to see you”), memories/remembrance, tears and joy (v 4). “Remembrance” occurs merely seven times in the Bible, all from Paul’s letters. In Paul’s letters, thanksgiving or grace (eulogeo or charis) (Rom 1:8-9, Eph 1:16, Phil 1:3, 1 Thess 1:2, 3:6, 2 Tim 1:3, Philem 4, Rom 1:8), remembrance and prayer are inseparable in six of the seven instances. “Prayer” and “thanksgiving/grace” are the spiritual components of their relationship, but “tears” and “joy” are the relational factors in their relationship. Paul and Timothy have passion in the abundance. I cannot think of anyone more passionate than these two, but their “desire” is not limited to each other. Although Paul longs/desires to see Timothy here, elsewhere, Timothy longs/desires for the church in Philippi (Phil 2:19, 26). Paul appreciates Timothy much more than others because he is also a man of “tears” (2 Cor 2:4). In Paul’s many letters, there are only two people with “tears,” Paul (2 Cor 2:4) and Timothy (v 4). Iron sharpens iron, but hearts melt hearts and lives influence lives. There is no bonding apart from joy and tears, through the ups and downs of life, the good times and the bad times, highs and lows, thick and thin, lean and the fat, the surplus and the sparse, to be true and transparent, to be open .
How is the relationship nurtured? In “prayers”, which is plural, constant/without ceasing,” by “night and day” (v 3). Prayer is usually singular in the nine instances mentioned in Paul’s other letters (Rom 10:1, 2 Cor 1:11, 9:14, Eph 6:18, Phil 1:4, 19, 4:6), but plural in Paul’s letters to Timothy (1 Tim 2:1, 5:5, 2 Tim 1:3), which reveals Paul’s power, perseverance and priority in prayer for Timothy. Paul, whether absent or present, was never tired, tentative or timid of praying for Timothy. Although three words - “constantly/without ceasing” (v 3), “night” and “day” – seem to be related to time, “constantly” (adialeiptos) or “without ceasing” is derived from “unfinished” (Titus 1:5) and “lacking” (James 1:4), which KJV translates as “wanting” (Tit 1:5, 3:13, Jas 1:4) mostly. So “without ceasing” has to do with quality and not time, meaning never short or missing something. “Night and day” is the time element, referring to ceaseless, continual, constant prayer.
Embrace Your Roots to Empower Your Faith
5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:5-7)
A wise man once said that everyone needs two things: roots and wings. Here are some thoughts on roots and wings:
Hodding Carter: “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.”
Jonas Salk: “Good parents give their children roots and wings. Roots to know where home is, wings to fly away and exercise what's been taught them.”
Without roots, trees die. Roots transport water, oxygen and minerals from soil to trees. With roots, trees can withstand winds and weather storms. With roots, trees twist and turn, but never topple. Most tree roots are located in the top 6 to 24 inches of the soil and occupy an area two to four times the diameter of the tree crown. In winter, roots act as a store-house for essential food reserves needed by the tree to produce spring foliage.
Next Paul gave credit to whom it was due, not rob credit from Timothy’s family. Acts 16:1 tells us that Timothy’s mother, Eunice, was a Jewess, but his father was a Greek. Her mother and grandmother Lois had the most influence and were the most instrumental and central factors, force and figures to Timothy’s guidance and growth. Their faith, like Timothy’s, was sincere (v 5 “anupokritos”) or un-hypocritical, an open book or letter, faith that is not fake or false, not a façade or a front, not to fool others. Families, especially children, see through parents’ church life and home life. It’s been said, “Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.”
Three generations are listed in verse 5, grandmother, mother and Timothy – “you.” The verb “lived/dwelt” (en-oikeo) is inferior to its Greek counterpart, an unusual term, that occurs merely five times out of the 60 “dwell” translated words in the Bible, but this “dwell” has the “en/in” (inside) preposition attached, meaning faith that is indwelling, implanted, ingrained; its other uses refer to the Spirit that dwells in us (Rom 8:11, 2 Tim 1:14), God dwelling with men (2 Cor 6:16) and the word of Christ dwelling in us (Col 3:16). It is sure, strong, sturdy and solid, not easily detached, disconnected, and departed.
Who are these family members? Grandmother Lois is of Greek origin, its meaning is unclear but suggestions include “more desirable, more agreeable, and (generally) better.” (Liddell & Scott) This suggests Lois was pleasant, polite and pleasing to work and live with. Lois’ name has to do with the “character” of a person. If Lois is better, Eunice is good (eu-) victory or conquest (nike). Eunice’ name has to do with competition and action– “conquest.” By the time Timothy was born, the fanciful names changed to reflect their commitment to God, so the name of Timothy was given, a combination of “ti-me” (honor) and “theos” (God), meaning "honoring God" or "honored by God." Lois’ name has to do with her person, Eunice with conquering others, but Timothy with honoring God.
What is “fan to flame” (ana-zo-pureo) in verse 6? This word occurs merely once in the Bible, so there is no comparable word in Greek, but the translations include “stir up” (KJV), “kindle afresh” (NASB), “rekindle” (RSV) and “fan into flame.” The etymology of the word is a combination of three words: up (ana) + live (zoo) + fire (pur), so there is the urgency and insistence of “again” (up), “alive” (life), and “ablaze” (fire). The idea is that of a sweeping revival or a spirited renewal, not a dying flame but a blazing fire, not just “have life” but to “be alive,” not just once but ongoing.
In fact both verbs (v 6 ) - “remind” (ana-mimnesko) and “fan the flame” (ana-zo-pureo) - begin with the same “up/again” prefix, to accelerate or push the movement. The gift is mentioned merely once in both 1 and 2 Timothy, probably referring to the gift of ministry in the context of 1 Timothy (1 Tim 4:6, 14), since both have the context and the verbatim of “laying on of the hands” (1 Tim 4:14) and “gift.” The reason (“for/gar”) for igniting and not ignoring his gift is that God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline(v 7). Note that God did not just give us a ministry, but also the motivation. “Fear” is NOT the regular “phobos,” but “deilia” or timidity, which is to shy away, stay away or stand aloof from taking your part, inheriting the position or becoming the person you were meant to be. It is to avoid the ministry, afraid of the risks or anxious of failure. Instead of timidity God has offered us the power, heart and mind for ministry. Power is the verve, valor and vigor, the spiritual authority to serve. Love is the heartbeat in action, or the emotional capacity. Sound mind (sophronismos) is the intellectual capacity. Sound mind is stability, sensitivity, sanity. To be in ministry is to be mature in thought, mindful of others.
Extend Your Wings to Excel in Ministry
8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus. (2 Tim 1:8-18)
In the world of nature a mother’s instincts tell her to release her young to enable their survival. Mother birds push their ready young out of the nest when it is time for them to leave, but this is done with no intent to harm. Further, fledgling birds that are around 14-18 days old (with a tail length of around 1/4"-1/2" long) begin to get curious about the world and leave the nest on their own.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8660584_would-babies-kick-out-nest.html#ixzz1pcfEl6yV
Mother of young flying squirrels do the same to their young.
A she-bear may take up to two years teaching her cubs.
http://scienceray.com/biology/how-animals-train-their-young/#ixzz1pcfp9Pxg
In the sea world, otters carry their young onto their back into the water, then she submerges and the young otters are forced to sink or swim.
http://scienceray.com/biology/how-animals-train-their-young/#ixzz1pcgCMvyF
Paul knows when to let them go and let them grow. Where lies the timidity of Timothy? According to verses 8, 12 and 16, the big issue or struggle is the feeling of shame, “ep-aischunomai” (upon + shame) in Greek, an intensive form of shame. “Do not be ashamed” is what we call a subjunctive of negation(“do not”), not a normal imperative mood but a subjunctive mood, which has little impact or force, but it is bolstered by the negative prohibition “do not (me),” thereby equivalent to an imperative. The regular form for “shame” (aischunomai) describes the steward or manager who is too ashamed to beg (Luke 16:3). This intensive form, with the preposition “upon/epi-” as prefix, includes being ashamed of Jesus and His words (Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26), the gospel (Rom 1:16) and the witness or testimony of our Lord (2 Tim 1:8). There are three things that fostered a climate of timidity at that time - imprisonment (“prisoner??????”), suffering (v 8) and chains or fetter, which is singular in Greek (v 16). The fears include incarceration (lengthy period of imprisonment), intimidation, interrogation, isolation and irrelevance. The first example of fearlessness is Paul unashamed of suffering (pascho) (v 12), knowing “who,” “how” and “when” - “WHOM I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to GUARD what I have entrusted to him for that DAY.”
Interestingly, the command or Greek imperative in verse 8 is not “do not be ashamed” but to “join with me in suffering (jointly suffer),” which has a preposition “join” (sun) attached to the regular “suffering” (suffer, v 12). “Join with me in suffering” occurs one other time in the Bible, translated as “endure hardship” in 2 Timothy 2:3, where he uses the illustration of a soldier (v 4), an athlete (v 5) and a farmer (v 6), the soldier in combat to obtain praise, the athlete in competition to obtain medals, and the farmer in cultivation to obtain fruit. The first is in a battlefield, the second is in a stadium and the last in the fields.
What is Timothy not to be ashamed of? The gospel (vv 8, 10). The gospel implies service to Him for the salvation of God. The emphasis is in verse 9 because God has saved us and called us. This grace, given in Christ Jesus, has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior (v 10), who did two things: destroy death as a thing of the past and deliver life in the present and immortality in the future.
The second and third imperatives are to “keep” (v 13) and to “guard/keep” the good deposit that was “entrusted” to him (v 14). Paul tells of the negative and the positive examples. There are two opposing forces. One, believers in in Asia have “turned” away from Paul, notably Phygellus and Hermogenes (2 Tim 1:15). In the last chapter, Two, the testimony of the household of Onesiphorus (vv 16-17), with the five actions: refreshed me, not ashamed of my chains, searched hard and found me. You might be surprised to know that through 13 letters and 78 chapters of Paul, the three chapters of 2 Timothy has the most occurrences of “guard.” (2 Tim 1:12, 14, 4:15).
Do you see the presence of the Trinity in the three imperatives:
V 8 Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of GOD
V 13 Keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in CHRIST JESUS.
V 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT who lives in us.
Paul prepared Timothy well. Hebrews 13:23 indicates that Timothy had been imprisoned, but escaped death trod and was set free.
Conclusion: We cannot do it alone, nor can we afford it. There is no longevity in ministry without mentoring the young. Ministry is about relationship more than roles and responsibilities. In what way are you mentoring. modeling and multiplying ministry?
