Timothy
“Not fear — but power, love, self-control.”
Young and frail, he became Paul's closest coworker and guarded the church for a lifetime.
Timothy was from Lystra. Born to a Greek father and a Jewish mother, Eunice, he received a faith that had flowed down through two generations, from his grandmother Lois to his mother. When Paul first visited Lystra, Timothy was still a young man; on Paul's second visit, when the brothers spoke well of him, Paul took him along. From that day he became Paul's lifelong coworker.
The work he did wasn't glamorous — delivering Paul's letters, comforting churches in crisis, being sent to Thessalonica, Corinth, Philippi, and Ephesus to steady wavering communities. He was often afraid, physically frail, and young. That's why Paul's letters to him repeat things like 'let no one despise you for your youth,' 'do not be afraid,' and 'use a little wine.'
Yet he never left his post to the end. He was also the recipient of the last letter Paul sent from a Roman prison before his death: 'Do your best to come before winter... bring the cloak... and the books, and above all the parchments.' The one who remained closest to the end. Timothy, who held onto a lifelong calling in spite of his youth and weakness, is said to have gone on to serve as the first bishop of the Ephesian church for the rest of his life, and to have been martyred there — a person who was faithful the longest in the least glamorous place.
A young disciple given a calling. Inheriting his mother's and grandmother's faith, he stayed beside Paul, learning to the end.
Defining Moments
The events that made this person who they were
A faith planted by his grandmother and mother
Paul describes him: 'a 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.' A faith carried through three generations.
The young man who set out with Paul
When the brothers at Lystra spoke well of him, Paul brings him along. From that day he becomes Paul's lifelong coworker — a young man's calling that would last a lifetime, beginning right there.
Two letters sent to a young pastor
Paul writes to him from prison: 'Let no one despise you for your youth.' A place where, amid youth and fear, he had to hold on to a lifelong calling.
Personality
The colors revealed through their story
Someone who stays faithfully at his post despite youth and inadequacy
Frail in body, often fearful, still young — yet he never abandons his post.
Someone who lives out, as his own, the faith he received from his family
The faith of his mother and grandmother passed on to him. A person who takes what he received and lives it out in his own way.
A gentle strength trusted by his mentor
Paul calls him 'my true child, whom I love' and 'my fellow worker' in the gospel. Not flashy, but someone who stays closest to the end.
★ Strengths
- Placing learning at life's center
◐ Shadow
- Fear of deciding on your own
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