Timothy’s Example

Timothy (the venerable Apostle Paul’s protégé and co-laborer in ministry) had spent years being the servant of Paul and God; in fact, Timothy had spent fifteen years traveling with his mentor throughout the Roman Empire. Yet, he was still relatively young, a man in his mid-30’s. He would have gotten little respect among the churches’ leaders.

Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. (1 Timothy 4:11-13 MSG)

Timothy had been given a very difficult task at the church of Ephesus: Leading it. Paul tells Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth,” because in those days one was not considered seasoned until they were in their forties. It was an unusual situation he was stepping into, because Timothy had to minister with men who had already been elders of the church in Ephesus for a number of years. These men had been taught by the Apostle Paul himself, and yet, as the opening chapter makes clear, Timothy was expected to take the lead and if necessary even correct some of the things that were going on in the church. In the third verse of the letter, Paul encouraged:

On my way to the province of Macedonia, I advised you to stay in Ephesus. Well, I haven’t changed my mind. Stay right there on top of things so that the teaching stays on track. Apparently some people have been introducing fantasy stories and fanciful family trees that digress into silliness instead of pulling the people back into the center, deepening faith and obedience. (1 Timothy 1:3-4 MSG)

That was a tough assignment for a young man. Timothy had to know how to go about it in a way that would not arouse the ire and opposition of others. Paul instructs him in the way a young man should minister among those who are older than he. It is clear from this passage that that requires a whole life to be aimed in the right direction. Timothy couldn’t simply give lip-service, he had to daily walk the godly path—in front of others, but especially when no one was looking. In short, it required heavenly doses of integrity.

And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. (1 Timothy 4:14 MSG)

Paul encourages Timothy to stand up and allow God to work through him. Paul knew Timothy’s ability and trajectory; Paul also knew that those who did not yet see it would, soon, see in Timothy what Paul himself had seen. The point the apostle makes is that, having been given a spiritual gift, Timothy is expected to use it.