This may have been a personal letter from Paul to his "true son in the faith", but it has tremendous value for us today. As the number of the early churches increased so did the question of doctrine, discipline and church order. The end of the apostolic period was approaching and God the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to set down standards which were not only needed then but are very relevant to our churches today. It is important that we study these epistles in detail. The first few words in our reading tell us so much –"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ". Here was a man of authority. He had been sent and authorized to speak, by God and by Christ, the head of the church. Three names of Christ are given. He is Jesus, our Saviour. He is Christ, anointed and recognised by God and He is Lord, the sovereign who reigns over His people. Paul adds that Christ is our hope - we can look at the present in the light of our great future. Timothy was obviously much younger than Paul but there was a wonderful relationship between them. Paul referred to Timothy in several epistles. In Philippians 2:19-23 he wrote that Timothy was "likeminded to himself." Timothy also must have suffered with Paul on various occasions and it seems he was with Paul right up to Paul's execution. Among the most moving words Paul ever wrote are his final lines to Timothy in the second epistle chapter four, from verse 6 to the end of the letter. The older man was longing for the company of his young friend as the end drew near. Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to make sure the church stayed true to the doctrines Paul had taught and not be taken up with side issues (v.4). Paul stated very plainly that the real test for believers is seen first in our love, then in a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. Can we take those four points and make them a check list on our own lives today? 1st and 2nd Timothy have much to say to us. Read each selection carefully and prayerfully. |
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