“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timonthy2:1
When the Apostle Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, his son in the faith, it was at a point in time when he knew he would soon be leaving this world to be with Christ. Of great importance to him before the Lord, and according to his calling, was the necessity of communicating to Timothy, and those to whom Timothy would minister the word of God, the Gospel in the power of the Spirit. For this to be realized in and through Timothy, who in one sense would be a torchbearer of the truth in Paul’s place, the call would come. However, Timothy was not the Apostle Paul, not in calling, nor in the measure of the abounding grace of God. Much like Elisha of old, who was called to follow Elijah in his ministry, there was certainly the consciousness of immeasurable need, that awareness and conviction that all could be possible, but only by the grace of God. Timothy was different from Paul in that his temperament was not that of the Apostle, Timothy being more reserved, and somewhat timid with regard to the enormity of the calling, and the responsibility before him. It is to this beloved son in the faith, that Paul directs his attention to several salient features of life and ministry that must be addressed, and embraced, so essential if he would know what he is to be and to do, in order for all to be accomplished.
Paul begins this second letter by speaking to the first basic issue at hand, that of power, a power that does not have its origin in Timothy, but Christ. Paul’s words are very clearly directed to this matter, in light of the gifts that God had given to Timothy for the ministry, “For God HAS NOT given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7) Essential to faithful, and successful ministry is strength and courage, that which comes by receiving, and living by the power of Christ communicated by the Spirit of God. The same Spirit of Pentecost which came upon Elisha of old, and later upon John the Baptist, but also, upon the Lord Himself, is that One who has anointed Timothy for the fulfilment of his task and purpose. From Christ, by the Spirit, Timothy is to derive his power, strength, love, and soundness of mind. He must accomplish the ministry, being shut upon to Christ, and His resources for every need.
It is for this reason, and specifically that concerning Timothy’s union with Christ, that Paul then directs his attention to the grace of God in Christ, an abounding, sufficient, and ever-present grace. He writes: “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”2:1) The call of Timothy, affirmed in Paul’s letter, is to trust fully in the sufficient, and abounding favor, and faithful goodness of God to meet every need, at all times. Thus, Timothy is called to live in the sufficiency of Christ, abiding in His power, love, and soundness of mind.
The call and exhortation then comes clearly to be a soldier, Christ’s soldier, HIs servant, His athlete, His laborer, but primarily His vessel unto honor, sanctified, and useful for the Master. (2 Tim. 2:21) To be such, Timothy must not be entangled in the affairs of this life, distracted by lesser things than the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. He is called to be diligent to know and preach the truth as it is in Christ, not only accurately but readily in all seasons. If Timothy would be a vessel of honor, and one through whom Christ can build His church in the context of the last, perilous times before Christ’s comes, then he must choose that which is highest in the sight of God, in order to serve in humility and grace, being effective and fruitful.
Finally, the charge before God to Timothy is to faithfully, simply, “Preach the word.”
Dear Father, Make us honorable vessels. In Jesus’ name, Amen.