It is never lost on me that Paul is often writing to encourage and embolden others from a jail cell. Especially in his last letter to Timothy, we find that Paul is expecting that his final day is closing in on him (2 Tim 4:6). One would think that Paul is most in need of encouragement in such a gloomy situation. We will never know the extent of visitors, letters, and words of encouragement that Paul may have received. What we do know is that Paul was thinking less of himself and much more about those who needed encouragement to go on with the work of the gospel seeded in the work of the Apostles. Timothy was one of those pastors commissioned with the task of continuing the ministry of the gospel on the backs of the Apostles.
Timothy does not seem like the kind of pastor that many church pastoral search committees may be comfortable to employ. Timothy was seen as youthful to the degree that some in the congregation may not see the need to respect him as an elder (1 Timothy 4:12). He may have had the capacity for youthful distraction (2 Timothy 2:22). His health may have been in question (1 Timothy 5:23). He was not the sort of brother who would instantly inspire engagement (1 Corinthians 6:10-11). Paul wrote to Timothy remembering Timothy’s tears (2 Timothy 1:4). We don’t know what those tears were about, but as you read through the letters of 1 and 2 Timothy you realize that there was no shortage of hardships in the Ephesian church for this young pastor. Paul also reminds Timothy that God has not given him a spirit/(Spirit)of fear. Timothy was a young, timid, possibly unwell pastor who may have to overcome a bias against him in the church. Next candidate please.
There may have been cons to Timothy but there also were certainly pros. In Acts 16:1-2 we are told that when Paul met him, he came with a good reputation from other brothers. He travelled extensively with Paul and was directly trained by the Apostle. Now he looks like a much better candidate. Even so, Timothy still seems to have a timid character as we come to Paul’s last words to him.
Paul loved Timothy with an intensely affectionate love for his beloved child in the faith. There was something in Timothy that was worth encouraging. Let me put it to you that it was humility. Paul tells Timothy that his strength and courage would come from the examples around him and the gift that God gives him. 2Ti 1:5-6 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. In an age where we are constantly told to believe in yourself and promote yourself and trust yourself and back yourself, Paul tells a timid Timothy to gain his courage elsewhere. Timothy is not encouraged look to self, but he looks to God, the promise of Christ, the example of Paul and his mother and grandmother as they have lived out their faith in Christ. His strength is in Christ and in seeing the testimony of Christ in others.
Paul says that God has not given Timothy a spirit of fear (vs.7). That’s not because Timothy needs to grab onto his unrealized potential, but because he has an awesome God with a powerful life-giving message. Timothy’s courage comes from much greater than himself.
2Corinthians 4:7-14 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.