2 Timothy 1 - The Sure Cure for Timidity!

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Today we begin Paul's second letter to Timothy. Here is some background information. (From esv.org)

Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy during his second imprisonment in Rome, shortly before his death. This imprisonment was after the one recorded in Acts 28. He probably wrote it in A.D. 64–65, though some would place it as late as 67. Paul gives Timothy a bold, clear call to continue in the gospel despite suffering.

Several people have abandoned Paul while he has been in prison, and several others are away on assignments (1:15; 4:9–12). In such a time, Paul’s memories of Timothy’s sincerity and devotion are especially touching (1:3–5). Paul thinks he will die soon (4:6–8), so he writes this final message to Timothy. Paul urges Timothy to stand firm and asks him to come for one final visit before Paul is executed. Though Paul’s death is near, he does not know just when it will come. Paul also asks Timothy to bring his books and parchments, so that he can keep studying and writing until the end.

Second Timothy is very personal. It is a final letter to a close friend and coworker. Paul encourages Timothy to continue in faithfulness and offers his own life as an example for Timothy to follow. What he calls on Timothy to do, he himself has done already.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Paul again addresses Timothy as, "My dear son", showing his fondness for him. There is no one else Paul speaks so well about other than Timothy. Paul's love for Timothy is shown by his constant prayer for him. 

Do you have people you pray for every day who you are close to? Do you have people praying for you on a daily basis? Praying for someone is one of the best ways to show love for someone. It is important to keep current on their most pressing prayer needs. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if not for the thousands of prayers my spiritual family has made on my behalf. 

The last time Paul left Timothy there were tears shared, another testimony to their love for each other. Paul admired Timothy's sincere faith, which was handed down to him through his mother and grandmother. Every time I read this I wonder where his father and grandfather were in his life. Perhaps they died early. 

We often see women playing a huge role in passing down the faith in a family, but if you are a man reading this remember how important it is for younger men to have a faith mentor in their lives. 

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

We see the call and ordination of Timothy to the ministry God had appointed him to through Paul. We see that Paul laid hands on Timothy, as a sign of the Holy Spirit filling Timothy for the work of ministry. Though Timothy was young and had an issue with being timid, Paul reminds him that the Spirit of God would give him confidence and courage. Specifically, the Spirit would give him three important gifts: power, love, and self control.

These are three great qualities any pastor or spiritual leader needs. They are gifts from the Holy Spirit. His power helps us to bring in His kingdom, which is a foretaste of God's kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. This includes healings and miracles, as we see in the book of Acts. The power God has given us is not one to use to Lord over others but is expressed in love. We use our power to serve others the way Jesus did. 

Finally, the Spirit gives us self control. Self control is what we need to control the desires of our flesh. We all will struggle with the sinful nature until Christ calls us home. Ministers of the gospel face all of the same temptations anyone else does. Many people look up to their spiritual leaders so it is important to not get addicted to anything, including work. Many pastors are workaholics and their families and friends suffer from it. 

8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

The Spirit would give Timothy the courage to preach the gospel though it would likely bring Timothy the same persecution it did Paul. Not only did Paul commission Timothy, but God had called Timothy first before the beginning of time, just like he has called every believer. Though we are saved by grace, we also need to pursue the holy life we were called to. 

Paul pointed his own example of being saved by grace and appointed to be a missionary and to preach and teach the gospel. Paul suffered for it, but because he knew God had called him had given confidence through his belief in Jesus, he was not afraid. It was God who was guarding this deposit He had given to him. 

"This explains why Paul was so bold in his work, and how he could feel honored by circumstances that might make others feel ashamed. He said that it was because I know whom I have believed. Paul knew the God he trusted and served." - Guzik

"And am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him: This is a second reason that explains Paul’s boldness. Paul gave Jesus his life, and knew Jesus was fully able to keep it!"

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Finally, Paul urged Timothy to guard the deposit he had been given. In other passages, we are told that the Holy Spirit is a down payment guaranteeing our future inheritance. Ephesians 1:14

This is the key to faithfulness. God requires a faithfulness from us that is greater than we can fulfill by our own resources. Unless we walk in the Spirit and are filled with the Holy Spirit, we cannot keep faithful to what we must keep faithful to. - Guzik

We often talk about protecting our assets like our retirement fund or pension. We guard it hoping that it will provide enough income for us after we retire. But the reality is we cannot control the stock market and our deposit is never reallyt completely safe, even in a bank account. 

But the deposit God has given us in the person of the Holy Spirit, is a deposit that can never be taken from us. But we are still told to guard it. We can guard the Holy Spirit by not quenching his power or living a willful and rebellious life. 

How do you guard the deposit God has given you? How can you live with power, love, and self control? This is not something you manufacture but something He has entrusted to you in the Holy Spirit!