Paul’s
second letter
to his protégé Timothy
begins with a look back. He connects the
heritage he received, no specifically mentioning his Jewish heritage
but I think implying it, to the Christian
heritage Timothy received from believing family
members.
The encouragement continues in the following paragraphs. Specifically, he urges Timothy to remember
what Jesus
Christ did to save them (and all Christians) and be faithful to the Gospel. Not only that, Timothy was called to preach
the Gospel and to show others how to do the same. He was to be a pastor, and like Paul, a
pastor to pastors.
Diligence and focus are needed in a pastor, or really any
Christian. There are many distractions
and temptations. Even if one doesn’t
fall into heinous sin, it is easy to slip into fruitless disputes and worldly
worries. How can Christians stand up for
the truth in the face of opposition when they are debating minutia with their
brothers or exhibiting character that is no better than anyone else’s?
Timothy was faithful, though. He
was living worthy of his calling and Paul wanted him to continue.
Paul was anticipating the end of his life as he wrote this letter. He asked Timothy to come to him, bringing a
few things and a few friends. The old
apostle had few friends around to help him, but he continued to trust in God.
Paul also wrote
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