941
THE KING'S BUSINESS
present. Wnen Paul's last hour ar– rived, it was the dying man's chief con– cern to have this child of his close his eyes, 2 Tim. 4: 9. This tender relation– ship sets forth the character of Tim– othy. To be loved by a man like Paul is a patent of nobility. The friendship between an old man and a young man is a rare and beautiful affection and may be equally blessed to both. Apart from this relationship there is very little that is distinct in the char– acter and life of Timothy. He was a Lycaonian of Lystra, the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother. He was the child of many prayers, brought up in an atmosphere of piety. His conversion to the Christian faith prob– ably accompanied or closely followed that of his mother and grandmother. He was always loyal in his support of Paul and even suffered imprisonment for his faith, Heb. 13:23, but he leaves no impression of originality or strength of character. He was retiring, perhaps in delicate health, 1 Tim. 5: 23, and so youthful looking in appearance that men were likely to esteem him lightly. When Paul wrote to him he took occasion to encourage him, betraying his weakness by the very earnestness and frequency of his admonitions. 1 Tim. 4: 12; 2 Tim. 2:1, 15, 16, 22-26; 2 Tim. 4:1. He was a true Christian nevertheless a dependent one. History tells us no– thing more when the writings of Paul cease. The references to Timothy in the Acts and the Epistles are evidence rather of his constancy in work than of any striking achievement. Paul ac– companied by Silas first came in con– tact with Timothy in the second mis– sionary journey to the churches of Southern Galatia in 52 A. D. Like most boys he had been more influenced by his mother than his father and prob– ably showed her Jewish faith. Paul was so impressed by the boy that he took him at once as a companion. He
love and prayers for the young man. (V. 3) "I thnnk God, 'vho1n J serve from n1y rorefntbers 'vlth J>ure conscience, that 'vlthont censlng I have re1nen1brnnce of thee in 1ny t>rnyers night nnd day." Paul's admonition to Timothy is that he will continue in his faith In the Scriptures (2 Tim. 1:13) "Hold fast the forn1. of sound 'vords, " ·hlch thou hast heard of me, in fnlth anti Io,,e n 'hich is In Christ Jesus." (2 Tim. 2:2) "An'l the thing·s that thou hnst heard of · 1ne n•noug ninny 'vltnesses, the snn1e co1n1nit thou to faithful 1nen, '\Vbo shall be able to tench others also." to have the heart of a soldier for the truth, remembering (1 Thess. 1: 5) "Our gOspel cnnte not 1mto you in word only, but nlso In uower, and in the Holy Ghost, and In n1uch assurance." The Bible is the Word of God. The Word of God is quick and powerful, and is ordained of God to give life to dead souls. It shows the way and im– parts life. Had Timothy Jived today he would have had some preachers telling him that the Bible was an old fogy book, out of date, not to be relied upon, with– out power, but can we not hear Paul saying to him, "I ant not nshnnted of the Gospel of Christ; for ft is the 1>0,ver of God unto Malvntlon to every one that believeth; to the Je'\v first, an(l also to the Greek." (Rom. 1:16) "I kno'\v n·bont I have believed, and nm persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have contmitted unto hhn against that (]ny." (2 Tint. 1:12) The name Timothy means "honour of God." The young man who bore this name was that companion of Paul who held the dearest place in his af- fections. The great DEVOTIONAL apostle of the Gentiles COMMENT had no one "like– Dr. F. W. Farr minded" with Tim- othy who was so duti– tul and unselfish, as a child to a father.' Phil. 2: 19-22. The constant companion of his travels, this spiritual son was never absent when Paul wished him
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker