“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.” Philippians 2:19-24
The Proven Worth of Timothy
Paul had several traveling companions as he planted and ministered to churches throughout the known world. Timothy was like a son to Paul. Paul mentored him as they traveled together and strengthened the churches together.
“Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.” Acts 16:1-5
An Impressive Young Man
Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman and her Greek husband, probably experienced discrimination and prejudice throughout his life. He didn’t quite fit in either culture. Yet, he had a good reputation among the Christians. Paul meets Timothy and is so impressed by this young man that he invites Timothy to travel and evangelize with him.
Timothy trains with Paul and learns from him during all their travels. They minister to many groups of believers. Paul leaves Timothy in charge of the church at Ephesus because they need guidance. In fact, we get two of the epistles in the New Testament (1 and 2 Timothy) while Timothy is governing the Ephesian church.
Paul’s Opinion of Timothy
Multiple times in several different New Testament books, Paul calls Timothy his true son in the faith.
“But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” Philippians 2:22
After spending a ton of time with Timothy, Paul is still extremely impressed by Timothy. He has proven himself as reliable, trustworthy, and righteous. When he needs someone that absolutely will not let him down, he entrusts the job to Timothy.
ACTION STEP:
Are we as trustworthy as Timothy? Can people rely on us to do what is right no matter what? Can God trust us to speak the truth in love in all situations? Do we seek the interests of Jesus above our own? How can we be people who can be relied on this week?
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PRAYER:
Dear God, Show us how to be trustworthy like Timothy. Open our eyes to see what might be keeping us from having a reputation like Timothy’s. Enable us to seek Your purposes and interests above our own. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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