Paul and Timothy: A Mutual Suffering and Trust with Jesus
Young pastor Timothy was wavering in his ministry of the Word. He needed a word of encouragement and challenge from the Apostle Paul. In his second epistle to Timothy, Paul wrote from prison (not the typical domain for an encourager!).
Paul argued that as a called apostle, he was not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, which he wholeheartedly believed (Rom 1:16–17; 2 Tim 1:8, 12). Nor was the great apostle ashamed of his circumstances (prison), brought on by a bold witness of Christ Jesus (Acts 1:8), in the midst of a hostile Roman culture and society. Timothy, like Paul, was suffering for the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Col 1:24). Paul re-invited young, pastor Timothy to join him in that suffering (2 Tim 1:8) that is granted to believers for Christ’s sake (Phil 1:29).
The wisdom of God, which is Christ himself (1 Cor 1:24), was given to Paul, who increased and enhanced what had been given Timothy, by his mother and grandmother (2 Tim 1:5). The power of God, which is Christ Himself (1 Cor 1:24), would see Timothy through his troubled bout with timidity.
Every minister of the Gospel has his course planned by God, who directs our steps into the fiery furnace, the lion’s den, or some other great flood of trouble (Prv 3:5–6). We, too, must trust that God is able to keep what we have entrusted to Him, until the day of His second coming or our home going (2 Tim 1:12). There are no exceptions. In the world, and especially in the ministry, you will have trouble (Jn 16:33).
What could possibly comfort troubled Timothy? The same power of God that was sustaining pastor Timothy, was the same power that saved him and called him with a holy calling (2 Tim 1:9), from before the foundation of the world. Paul had written the same truth to pastor Titus, “He saved us (Titus 3:5).”
Timothy knew, as did the Ephesians, that God’s elect are saved by grace. It was not ourselves, and not according to our works (Eph 2:8; 2 Tim 1:9), but it was according to God’s purpose and choice (Rom 9:11; 2 Tim 1:9).
God’s eternal purpose, carried out in Christ Jesus (Eph 3:11), was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity (2 Tim 1:9). In other words, God’s plan for each elect soul would be accomplished by His grace. The will and work of God, for His own eternal good pleasure (Phil 2:13), would be accomplished by Him (Ps 57:2; 138:8; Is 26:12).
God’s purpose in salvation became very clear, at the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ (2 Tim 1:10). He came to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). He abolished death for them, that is, by His own death on the cross, Jesus defeated death, by answering death’s demands for sin. The forgiveness of sins was granted because Jesus bore all the sins of His people, in His body, on the cross (1 Pet 2:24). Death, that is, the second death in the fiery hell of the lake of fire (Rev 20:14–15), had no claim on the redeemed of the Lord.
There was no reason for Timothy to be timid. Jesus brought life to His people because He Himself is the life of God (Jn 14:6), and He gives this life to whom He wishes (Jn 5:21). Granted eternal life in Christ (1 Jn 5:11–13), with the promise of Christ’s permanent presence (Heb 13:5), means that the preacher/teacher should be very bold in his speech (2 Cor 3:12).
By the appointment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28; 2 Tim 1:11), the preacher proclaims Him, Christ, and His death, until He comes again. The true slave of Christ exclaims, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel (1 Cor 9:16)!” The Word of God burns like a fire in his bones (Jer 20:9).
The life of the minister is entrusted to Christ, alone. The reason for this absolute commitment to our Lord’s service, is that the minister has been entrusted with the treasure of the Gospel, to be stewarded (1 Cor 4:1; 9:17; 2 Tim 1:14). Paul received from the Lord Jesus, what he then invested in Timothy and others.
Paul did not hide his sufferings for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10); rather he rejoiced, even boasted in them. The world hated Paul and Timothy, in the same way it hated Jesus Christ (Jn 15:18). The temptation for every minister is to dilute or deviate from the standard of sound words, which are written down for us in the Bible, and which have been entrusted to faithful men to steward (2 Tim 2:2).
Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered in life and upon the cross, to warrant our absolute trust in Him, for our salvation from all eternity and to all eternity. By His wisdom, grace, and power, God has granted us faith and love which are in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 1:13). Jesus alone is our hope, in the diverse tribulations endured by us in this world (1 Thess 1:3; 2:19; 1 Tim 1:1).
Jesus Christ has overcome the world (Jn 16:33), and God is always leading us in His steps of triumph (2 Cor 2:14; 1 Pet 2:21). In Christ, we have His victory, by faith (1 Jn 5:4), which God increases for us, through His Word and by His Spirit, in the midst of trouble and suffering. This present suffering is not to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom 8:18); therefore, by His grace, we press on with our high calling (Phil 3:14), knowing that our suffering and trust is shared by Timothy, Paul, and Jesus. Our Lord guards us, while we guard the Gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our end and the end of the Gospel (Mt 24:14), is sure because He who guarantees both is faithful and true (Rev 19:11).
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
November 4, 2022
