What can we learn from what the Bible says about Paul and Timothy?

Answer

Timothy was a young man who started traveling with Paul and Silas when they visited Lystra during the second missionary journey “Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, who was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:”, (Acts 16:1). Timothy’s mother was Jewish, but his father was Greek, so he had not been circumcised even though he had been raised to know and honor God “when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in you also.”, (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy’s dedication to the Lord was so strong that he allowed himself to be circumcised in order not to offend the religious Jews they would encounter “Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.”, (Acts 16:3). The bond between Paul and Timothy grew to the point that Paul referred to his young protégé as “my son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2,18;2 Timothy 1:2).

The relationship between Paul and Timothy is a wonderful example of Christian mentoring. Both Timothy and Paul had to possess the right attitudes for such a mentoring relationship to prosper. Timothy had to be humble and teachable. It must have required a significant amount of faith and commitment on his part to undergo circumcision. He was free in Christ. Circumcision was not essential to have a correct relationship with God .(Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15). However, Timothy allowed himself to be circumcised to become a more effective witness for Christ. He embodied Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

Paul’s role in the mentoring process was to exercise patience as young Timothy grew in wisdom and faith. He spent much time teaching him and even addressed two books of the New Testament to Timothy, who was by then pastoring the church at Ephesus «As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, », (1 Timothy 1:3). Paul included Timothy in the joys as well as the difficulties of missionary life «Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. », (Hebrews 13:23) while encouraging him not to allow others to disregard him because of his comparative youth «Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. », (1 Timothy 4:12). Paul exhorted Timothy often to guard the truth that he had been entrusted with and take care not to lose his passion for ministry (1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Timothy 6:20).

Timothy proved to be so trustworthy that Paul sent him as a representative to the churches he was concerned about (1 Thessalonians 3:6). Paul included Timothy as an equal partner in his addresses to the churches. His salutations in several epistles began with wording such as “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:1; cf: 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1:1).

We learn from Paul and Timothy the importance of older men discipling younger men. Timothy became a pillar in the early church due to Paul’s investment in his life when he was still young. Paul did not shelter his young disciple from the realities of ministry, knowing that learning to suffer well was part of Timothy’s preparation (2 Timothy 2:3; 2 Timothy 4:5). For his part, Timothy received instruction and did not shy away from the unpleasant parts of true discipleship. Because of their strong relationship, both men benefited, and the gospel spread. In the story of Paul and Timothy, we learn that discipleship is standing shoulder to shoulder in the work of the kingdom, iron sharpening iron «Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. », (Proverbs 27:17), encouraging, rebuking when necessary, and sharing a common burden for a lost world (2 Timothy 3:10-15).

Read the Bible passage in Thy 3:10-15.