The Pastoral Appeal

["Click here for scripure"]

Courageous Enthusiasm

["Click here for II Timothy 1:1-7"]

In Chapter One, Paul appeals to Timothy to emulate three of his characteristics.

1. His courage.
2. His not being ashamed of suffering.
3. His spiritual loyalty.

Lets look at the first of these. Notice how Paul feels that it is necessary for him to again establish his calling. "I am an Apostle, by the will of God." He did not set out to be one, he did not want to be one. He had not earned this title, nor would he ever deserve it. But by God's will, Paul was called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Even at this late date in Paul's ministry, in spite of dedication and persecution, many still did not trust him. Many still doubted his calling. Even Paul wondered why Christ had laid His hand upon his life.

Note how Paul's greeting to Timothy has grown in affection, in First Timothy, Paul called him his "child in the faith". Here in this second letter, he calls him his "beloved child". As Paul grew older, he became better able to express his personal feelings more openly. Timothy was the "son" that Paul never had. To Timothy, Paul wished only the best, "Grace, Mercy and Peace". What greater gifts could any one wish for their child.

Notice in verse 3 how Paul constantly prayed for Timothy. Its a good feeling when you know that some one is praying for you. Paul prayed for Timothy because he knew Timothy's weaknesses. He also was familiar with the problems that Timothy faced and he was well aware of the power of prayer.

There is so much written about these few verses. Chapters are written on the first part of verse three. "I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience." Many could not see how Paul could possibly have a clear conscience. He had been guilty of persecuting Christians, he was guilty of forcing people to blaspheme Christ, he was involved in the murder of Stephen, how could Paul have a clear conscience? The same way that we can have a clear conscience, accept the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Paul had confessed his sins and was forgiven by the Lord and he no longer carried that burden, he was free from it and any other sins that he might have committed.

Previously, Paul served God in the light of the knowledge that he had. When God gave him new understanding, he claimed it for his own along with the forgiveness that was offered. It was this that gave Paul a clear conscience and gave great power to his prayers.

Paul reminds Timothy of his mother's and his grandmother's faith. Timothy's grandmother, Lois, was described by Paul as a woman with a pure and undeniable faith. His mother, Eunice, who was the wife of an unbelieving Greek, was a devout Jew with unquestionable faith. Both of these women became converts to Jesus Christ. Paul believes that both of these women were instrumental in Timothy's spiritual growth. Timothy had accepted Christ while Paul was on his first missionary journey. On his second journey, Paul called Timothy to full time Christian service. So here, Paul reminds Timothy of the spiritual gifts that God had given him, gifts that were needed for his ministry. Because of this, Timothy did not need to be timid about his mission.

We are not confident in out own strength, but rather in the strength of Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to serve in what ever capacity God calls us. Talent, training and experience cannot take the place of the power of the Holy Spirit. So Paul says to Timothy, serve God with confidence and enthusiasm.

Do Not be Ashamed

The Key to these verses is comfort and assurance in time of persecution, persecution brought on by our witness of Jesus Christ. Paul says, "Do not be ashamed of the Lord's testimony." By nature, none of us enjoy suffering even our Lord, on the night that He was betrayed said, "Father, if it be thy will, remove this cup from me." Paul prayed three times for God to remove the painful "thorn in the flesh" that caused him to suffer, it was not removed but Grace sufficient for his need was granted.

To witness for the Lord often brings on suffering. It is not always physical suffering. Social pressure is often experienced, promotions may not be forth coming, ridicule and snide remarks are often made about you. Because of this, many believers do not let their religion show, they appear to be ashamed. Paul says, do not be ashamed, accept the consequences for the benefits far outnumber the sufferings, for God gives us the strength.

Also we should not be ashamed because God has called us by His Grace even though some people do not like it, God has purpose in His "calling". We are part of a great eternal plan that God pre-determined before the world began. Suffering is part of that plan. Grace sufficient for our needs is part of that plan. Many self-sufficient people have a problem with this but the simple truth is that God calls, not on the basis of any thing that we do, but on the basis of His Grace. If suffering is apart of that call, so is Grace sufficient for the need. This is not "fatalism" as some suggest, it is confidence in a "wise " and "loving" Father.

Then Paul says that we should not be afraid to die for Christ defeated death. Paul was facing sure death when he wrote this letter to Timothy, but he wrote with complete assurance that Jesus was victorious over death and it no longer had any sting. In Christ, we have assurance of eternal life, assurance of the resurrection, and assurance of a place in Heaven. Some Denominations believe in "soul sleep". This doctrine comes primarily from the Psalms and the book of Ecclesiastes, but the New Testament teaches that for the believer at death, the soul goes to be with the Lord, the body, to the dust from which it came, to be resurrected at the Second Coming of the Lord. We believe that the soul is immortal. We have nothing to be ashamed of or to fear from death.

All three of these, our Christian calling, our Christian life and our Christian death, are things that we should not be ashamed of, rather, we should be proud and thankful that God has chosen us to be apart of this great plan.

Then Paul says that we should not be ashamed to be a prisoner for the Lord. Paul knew what he was talking about for at that very moment, he was a prisoner for his witness of Jesus. Many at Ephesus could have gone to Rome to testify for Paul or even to relieve his burden, but only one did, a man by the name of Onesiphorus. Many were afraid to be identified with Paul, the probable reason was that Ephesus was a Roman "free city", and this status was maintained by remaining faithful to Rome and not causing any trouble.

Paul was not ashamed to be a prisoner for the Lord because he was called by the Lord into His ministry. He would not change or alter that ministry for anyone. For that reason, many in Asia were staying away from him, seeking not to be associated with him. But Paul would not "water down" the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, not only was Paul called but he was also "commissioned" to go to the Gentile. It was this commission that got him in trouble with the Jews. Ultimately, it was responsible for him being in prison in Rome. Gentiles should have supported Paul but instead they shunned getting involved with him.

Paul was not ashamed of his imprisonment, nor was he ashamed of the Gospel that got him there. He put his trust in Christ and believed that He would supply all his needs.

Our salvation is based on what we believe about Jesus Christ. Doctrines are important, but they will not save. Church membership is important, but it will not save either. We must believe, without reservation, that Jesus is able to save and keep us and that He is able to present us "faultless" before God, as difficult as that may seem. Paul said, "I know whom I believe and am persuaded that He is able to "keep" that which I have committed to Him, against that day." Paul was not ashamed of this confession.

Spiritual Loyalty

The foundation of the Christian Church is people who have stood firm in time of trial, remained true to the faith in spite of persecution, and did not allow false teachers to separate them from the truth. Paul was such a person and here he encourages Timothy to follow his example.

He suggests two areas of loyalty to Timothy:

1. Loyalty to God's Word. God had entrusted His Word with Paul, Paul, in return, had entrusted it with Timothy. Timothy, now, had to be responsible for that Word. Notice the verbs that Paul uses to describe Timothy's responsibility. He was to "hold fast" to "guard", and to "pass it on". Verse 13 literally means, "to follow a pattern", much as a builder follows a blue print. Paul, by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, had established a definite pattern of church doctrine and Timothy was to be loyal to that. It was to be a means where by he would be able to test teachers and church leaders at the church at Ephesus. Notice he was to do this in "faith and love", establishing the truth and correcting those who deviated from it, had to be done in love. Note, it was Paul who passed this on to Timothy but it was the Holy Spirit that gave him understanding and memory as well as strength to guard it. From the beginning, Satan has opposed God's Word. The very first recorded words that we have that Satan said to mankind was, "Did God say that you should not eat of any tree in the garden?" Thus seeking to put doubt in the mind of Eve concerning God's Word. We must Guard against Satan's efforts to put doubt in or minds and always be loyal to God's Word.
2. Loyalty to his commission as God's servant. Notice verse 15, "You must be aware that all who were in Asia, have turned away from me." They were not just turning away from Paul, they were turning away from the "truth". Asia, in that day, was comprised of Lydia, Mysia, Caria and Phrygia, the area that the seven churches spoken of in the Book of Revelation, were located. So some 30 or 40 years before John wrote the Book of Revelation, these churches were already in trouble. In verse 15, Paul mentions some of the leaders in these churches who were openly opposing him. This hurt Paul very much, but he was more concerned about the false teaching that was permeating these churches. These false doctrines were spreading in the churches in Asia. Paul was in prison in Rome it was up to Timothy to oppose these and other false ideas that were creeping into the church.

Notice there was one who dared to come out and openly support Paul, a man by the name of Onesiphorus, whose name literally meant, "profit bearing", and he certainly was a profitable friend to Paul. He was probably a Deacon at the church at Ephesus. He had gone to Rome and ministered to Paul's needs. He was not ashamed of Paul's chains. Paul phrased this man and believed that people like him that labor behind the scenes will be rewarded openly in the Day of the Lord.

Thus ends Paul's pastoral appeal to Timothy.

Previous Chapter

Return to Outline

Ask Questions

Next Chapter