736. 2TI 1:2-5. HISTORY OF TIMOTHY

2Ti_1:2-5. History of Timothy

"To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day," &c.’972Ti_1:2-5.

Among the excellent New Testament worthier, whose character and history are particularly interesting and instructive, we may name Timothy, to whom two of the Epistles of Paul are addressed. Yet, it is only from a very few references in the inspired history of the Christian church, that we can obtain any satisfactory account of his life or labors.

Let us then, on this occasion, just glance at those particulars, and ascertain what information and practical lessons, may be derived from them.

It is evident,

I. That Timothy was a convert of the Apostle Paul.

Neither the time, the place, or manner of his conversion, is stated; but we reasonably infer the truth of this from certain statements and corroborative incidents.

It would appear that Timothy was a native of Lystra, that his father was a Greek, but his mother a Jewess: Act_16:1, &c. He was at this time a disciple, and of excellent reputation; Act_16:2. Now, if you will go back to the 14th of Acts, you will find, that when Paul and Barnabas were persecuted in Jerusalem, that they fled to Derbe and Lystra. Act_16:6 and Act_16:7.

It seems most probable, that Timothy at this time heard the gospel from Paul, and was converted to the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. That he was Paul’s convert is evident, from the terms employed by the Apostle. 1Ti_1:2, and the text. We remark,

II. That Timothy was a disciple of Christ in early life.

This is quite clear from the first account given of him, and especially from the address of the Apostle, thirteen years after his conversion: 1Ti_4:12. It is likely that Timothy was not more than sixteen at his conversion; for that would make him twenty-nine at this time. As a young disciple he had the honorable and happy opportunity to devote his whole life to the cause of Jesus. How important is this! How lovely is piety always; but especially in the period of youth! It is still more so in reference to those who are to be actively employed in the service of Jesus. Few men, comparatively, have risen to eminence as preachers and laborers, who have not become decidedly pious in their youth. And of young disciples, how admirable a model is exhibited in the piety and devotedness of Timothy. We remark,

III. That Timothy had been highly favored with pious ancestry and a religious education.

His grandmother, Lois, was a believer in the Jewish Scriptures and an expectant of the promised Messiah. His mother, Eunice, had also embraced the same divine faith; and she lived in the holy believing hope of the appearing of the Lord’s Christ. Hence, the stream of piety was seen flowing down from one to another, and the result of this was’97Timothy had before him the pious example of both of these’97especially the latter’97who, also, added to it her utmost endeavor to train her son for God and immortality. Hence Paul reminds him’97"And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures," &c. 2Ti_3:15. Hence, then, Timothy had been early initiated in the truths of the word of God. He had read the law and the prophets, and thus his mind would be prepared to hear the Apostle proving from those Scriptures, that Jesus was the very Christ, of whom Moses in the law, and the Prophets did write. Happy parent! so to train her son; and blessed child’97so to honor and reward the labors and anxieties of maternal piety and love. We remark,

IV. Timothy was distinguished for the genuine and decided evidences of religion which he gave.

"The unfeigned faith that is in thee." This is, pure, unmixed faith. The real, and not merely pretended faith. The strong, lively, and austere faith. Now this faith was visible. Not in its essence, but in its operations and results. Paul saw it; and no doubt the church saw it, and the world saw it. Faith, in its fruits and influences, cannot be hid. The Apostle James states this most distinctly: chap. 2Ti_2:19. We read of the work of faith; and where there is unfeigned faith, there will be fervent love’97and burning zeal’97cheerful self-denial’97and devout constancy. I only add on this’97in religion, every thing should be unfeigned. No mere pretence,’97nothing in the form of guise, &c.

V. Timothy was a. distinguished minister and laborer in the cause of Jesus.

No case has been more perplexing to ecclesiastical writers, than that of Timothy’97especially when they have had sectarian principles to maintain. It is quite clear that Timothy acted and labored as a general minister or Evangelist, as the Lord opened a door of usefulness for him. Paul thus speaks of him when writing to the Corinthians: "Now, if Timothy come," &c. 1Co_16:10. Yet it is clear also, that afterwards he was Bishop of Ephesus, and said to be its first Bishop; yet, at the time he was Bishop, Paul writes and counsels him as to his personal conduct and ministerial conduct. 1Ti_4:11, &c. And more than this, he tells him at the time of his bishopric labors, to "do the work of an Evangelist." 2Ti_4:1-5. It is clear then, that though a Bishop, he was a hard-working preacher’97and, as opportunity served, went abroad evangelizing the world, by preaching the gospel of Christ. To this sort of primitive episcopacy, who can object?

VI. Timothy was distinguished for his self-denial, and fidelity to the cause of Jesus.

It would seem that either he had naturally a delicate constitution, or that his labors had enfeebled his health. Hence it became essential that the Apostle should urge him to cease drinking water alone, and that he should take a little wine, &c. 1Ti_5:23. What a strange injunction to give to a bishop! He had drank water, and water only. Continued to do so in the midst of declining health, and it required apostolical authority to induce him to change his mode of life. Then he was only to take a little, and not as a beverages, but purely as medicine’97for "his often infirmities." One of the most favorable passages, in the whole Word of God, against the daily use of intoxicating drinks.

But I add finally, that Timothy held on his course’97lived and died in the cause of Jesus’97and, it is generally believed, sealed the doctrines of the Cross with a martyr’s blood.

In conclusion’97

1. Let his character be studied.

2. The grace of God admired in him.

3. And let his excellent example be imitated’97

By private Christians, and especially By the ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS