If I were Timothy #2: a big ask
Who Was Timothy?
Timothy is a Greek name which means ‘honouring God’ or ‘honoured by God’.
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. Acts 16:1
After Paul had visited Lystra, Timothy became his companion and co-worker along with Silas. Timothy then travelled around with Paul, who became his mentor. Paul trusted him to carry out important work.
But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. Philippians 2:22
If I were Timothy, I would be blown away to receive this letter from Paul. After all, I’d been at his side as he’d written the letters to Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians. But these letters were addressed to groups of believers and not an individual like myself. I’d be even more amazed to discover that two letters addressed to me would end up in this collection of books people would come to know as the Bible!
Yes, Paul and I were close. He was like a father to me. But I didn’t do anything anyone else wouldn’t do. I served God in the best way I could. That’s it. It wasn’t easy at times, but I looked to Paul for guidance and support – and what a man Paul is!
Passage From The Letter
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practising homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. 1 Timothy 1:3-11
If I were Timothy, this is how I would reply to this section of the the letter…
Paul, I know why you’re asking me to stay on in this place, but boy, is this a huge ask?!? You know how hard it is here. You’ve seen it with your own eyes. It must have been hard to leave this mess behind and leave me to somehow try to sort it all out. I really didn’t want you to leave, you must have known that, but I understand why you had to go. You have work to carry out elsewhere – a mission, a calling from God. But this is so hard for me, so hard, and most of the time, I really don’t feel up to the task.
I wouldn’t say I’m a natural born leader like you are. These people are older and wiser than me. They know so much about how the faith was established and meant to be carried out. I feel intimidated by their certainty and knowledge. It’s hard to stand up against them and speak the truth. You use the word ‘command’ – I can’t see myself commanding anyone to do anything! But they are muddying the waters, that’s for sure. There are so many conflicting teachings floating around, the believers are confused about what to think. There’s a lot of talk – a LOT of talk! – but not much evidence of love in action, which is what we’re all about, right? It’s so easy to get drawn into these debates and forget that love is at the centre of all we believe.
Culturally, this is a tough city to be in! So many people abusing and exploiting other people. So much violence and hatred. The law serves to expose everyone who is not living by it – and sometimes, that feels like pretty much everyone in this place! All I can do is cling on to the teaching you shared with me from God about God – that is all that counts.
I’d love you to give me permission to leave here, but that isn’t going to happen any time soon, is it? So I’ll keep clinging to the love and hope and faith I find in the one true God. That’s all I can do.
