Chapter 16
Timothy
The History:
These two letters were written after the book of acts ends. Nero is now in Power and is having a purge on Christianity. Paul had expected to be released from his first trial, and he was. In sixty-one AD, Paul was in prison, He was freed in sixty-six AD. He then travelled to Crete and was arrested again in sixty-eight AD. This time he was put in Mamertine prison in Rome. Nero was an unstable man and Paul knew he would not have a fair trial and it was his end days. His very last letter was his second letter to Timothy.
Timothy was sent by Paul to Ephesus to try to sort the Church out. You will remember the Church started out as house-groups and when Christians were later allowed to own property they bought the mint. Business people just fell into the leadership231. These began to lead the Church like a business, Setting up codes of conduct and structures rather than leading the people spiritually. Timothy was given the task of training these leaders in Kingdom principles and bring other leaders more suitable to lead a church into place.
In Ephesus, the membership had been great. It had made great strides in the city under a housegroup setup232. But, now the leadership were trying to organize all these homogenous house-groups into one united church, and it proved to be a nightmare. Businesses had helped them purchase the old coin-mint, but they wanted to run it like a business.233
For Timothy this was a challenge. He was charged with completing the transition of setting up quality spiritual leaders, who can ensure the members are not sidetracked by material concerns. Second, he was charged to make sure the church understood the problems it would face in coming days, and to change the basic culture of the church. Third, he was to leave the Church once it had a clear understanding of the truth; when it was ready to combat the errors attacking it.
One wise leader once said, ‘Leaders see their own strengths and weaknesses in the mirror of the Church. Congregations become what the leaders do, not what they say. The character of the leader becomes the character of the Church, because Church is based on relationships’.234
Apostles were troubleshooters. Whether this was their intended role or not I cannot say, but that is what they became. Apostles are not a part of the permanent structure of the Church like pastors and deacons, but they move in to help restore a church to its right lines.
In these letters, Paul says his first trial went well, but he does not expect the second to go as well. Perhaps that is a hint that he recognizes he is getting older, perhaps that is why he is keen to establish Timothy as an elder.
The Letters:
One of three personal letters, (Titus, Philemon and Timothy), this is a personal letter for a different reason. Paul regards Timothy as his true son in the faith. Both Timothy and Titus were trained to be leaders under Paul.
Timothy means, ‘honours God’. It was the name given by his mother or grandmother, both of whom had both been praying for him and both are mentioned in the letter.
Timothy was Paul's protégé. Initially from a town called Lystra, on Paul’s first missionary journey, these two had worked the area of Galatia. On Paul’s second missionary journey while Timothy was still a teenager, he was asked to become team member. Paul describes Timothy as like-minded235 That is why he was keen to send Timothy to Ephesus:
…so that if I am delayed, you will know how everyone who belongs to God's family ought to behave. After all, the Church of the living God is the strong foundation of truth.236
Paul, recognizing his second trial will be his last, wants to hand the baton over to Timothy. So he lays out the responsibility of a leader. In chapter-one, he starts with the something Timothy will find hard to face, standing up to false teachers. There is going to be confrontation but it must be faced. Faith relates to truth not just any old faith. Faith in faith will not save. Faith in false doctrines will not save. Faith must relate to the one who is the way, the life and the truth. Doctrines of another kind are not the means of salvation. Next he deals with those appointed to leadership.
Paul then lists sixteen qualifications needed before a person should be appointed to leadership. It requires a one-hundred-percent pass mark. A desire to lead on its own is a disqualifying mark237. The list for deacons or severs is not less strict.238. Even when in leadership, chapter-four sets out accountability in leadership, because it is the long-standing minsters who are prone to become lax or depart from the gospel. Be sure to be watchful of the gifts given in your younger days.239
Remember Timothy is not yet thirty, and in Jewish culture not old enough to lead, but Greek culture has does not have that regard, so many were fast tracking through education, and woefully lacking experience. Paul gave some instruction on handling the congregation. How should Timothy deal with older folk in their walk? Chapter-five and six deals with this. Don’t rebuke an older person, encourage them into the right direction. Respect widows, don’t encourage younger widows to give up and just accept handouts, encourage them to serve. And so on.
Rome had six-million slaves. You can’t change that. ‘Let bondservants serve their masters honourably’, is not condoning, but accepting the fact. Many of those six-million slaves were highly educated, Some commentators suggest Luke was a slave; highly educated but under a master. Paul is trying to teach Timothy to find ways to show when you are in church you are in kingdom-of-God territory. Everyone there is equal. But in the world there is dual citizenship. That is going to take some working out in practice. But whatever or however it is done, don’t substitute grace and love in the kingdom, for a written constitution.240
In the interlude, Paul is released from prison after his first trial went well. Paul then went to Colossae where he met Philemon and his house-church. Paul is arrested again and sent to Rome where he is imprisoned in Mamertine prison. Knowing he is not going to get out this time he writes his swan-letter; his second letter to Timothy.
Finally, guard the truth, guard your charge, guard the gospel, guard your heart lest you fall out with the Holy Spirit. Guard your mind, lest you become discouraged. Guard your character against the challenges ahead.241
Personally, I love Paul’s mixed metaphors. Don’t let the grammarians distract you away from being a solder putting on armour; an athlete running to win; and a farmer ploughing good straight lines. Be all at once.242
Be warned, says Paul to Timothy, your calling will not be easy. You will meet all the things we have been through together so far, and worse. You and I have a kindred-spirit, so live as you have seen me live.243
And as a last word, (before Paul is beheaded at the end of his mission), keep an eye on yourself, constantly examine and charge yourself to preach the Word, not opinions. Preach with the last Judgement in mind, and even if they do not listen, live a life that will hear the Master’s ‘Well Done’ at the end.244
231Ephesus Museum : Office could not be taken unless it was approved by the trades guilds or Roman authority.
232Ephesus Museum and history of Ephesus
233 Ephesians 4: 19-23
234 I am not sure of origin but someone in late 18th century.
235Philippians 1 : literally equal-souled or identically twined in soul. He was a soul mate.
236 1 Timothy 3: 15
237Timothy 3: 1-7 The desire and the ambition are not sufficient grounds by themselves, leadership must be confirmed by the church in line with the other qualifications in this passage
238Timothy 3: 8-13
239Timothy 4: 1-16
240 Timothy 5: 1-25
241 Timothy 1:3 -18
242 Timothy 2: 1- 2: 26.
243 Timothy 2: 1- 3: 9
244 Timothy 3: 10 - 4: 18.