Text:            2 Timothy 3:15, 2 Timothy 1:3-5

By:               ADEOYE, EMMANUEL (EVANGELIST)

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MENTORING

• Mentoring is the patronage, influence, guidance or direction given by a mentor.
• A mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experience and often young person.

TIMOTHY’S BACKGROUND

CHRONOLOGICAL ON TIMOTHY, THE PERSON 

• He was from Lystra and probably was saved during Paul’s
• first missionary trip (Acts 14:19-20; 16:1-2).
• His mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois) were godly Jewish women, but his father was a pagan Greek (Acts 16:1-2; 2 Tim. 1:5).
• He had been brought up on God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:14-15).
• He was a man of great faith (2 Tim. 1:5).
• Paul regarded him as his own son in the faith (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2).
• Timothy may have been a somewhat reserved individual who did not always enjoy robust health (1 Tim. 4:12, 14-16).
• He was, nevertheless, a man of God (see 1 Tim. 6:11).

Timothy, the partner—Timothy became a faithful coworker with the Apostle Paul.

He was invited by Paul to “join the team” during the apostle’s second trip (Acts 16:3)—

This team would consist of Silas, Paul, and Luke. Timothy may have been chosen to take John Mark’s place. (See Acts 13:5.) He was circumcised by Paul so that he might have freedom to preach the gospel in various Jewish synagogues (Acts 16:3; see also 1 Cor. 9:20).

Timothy was formally ordained by Paul (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim.1:6). He also accompanied Paul during the third missionary trip (Acts 19:22; 20:4; 2 Cor.1:1, 9). He became Paul’s close companion during the apostle’s first imprisonment (see Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Philem. 1).

Paul’s final request before his martyrdom in Rome was for Timothy to be at his side (2 Tim. 4:9, 21). Timothy, the Evangelist; His witnessing for Paul—At the apostle’s request, Timothy performed a ministry in at least five New Testament churches. These were:

1. THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA—“Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith . . . But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you” (1 Thess. 3:1-2, 6).

2. THE CHURCH AT CORINTH—“For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church . . . Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren” (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-11).

3. THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI—“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel” ( 2:19-22).

4. THE CHURCH AT BEREA (ACTS 17:14)
5. THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS—“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightiest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:3).

HIS WRITINGS FROM PAUL—While at Ephesus, Timothy received two letters from Paul, 1 and 2 Timothy. In these epistles Paul exhorted and encouraged Timothy.

STIR UP YOUR GIFT—“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Tim. 4:14-15).

BE A GOOD SOLDIER—“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Tim. 6:12). “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3). 

WATCH YOUR OWN LIFE—“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16).

BE GENTLE—“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2 Tim. 2:24-25).

BE IMPARTIAL—“I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality” (1 Tim. 5:21).

FLEE FROM SIN—“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22).

DENOUNCE SIN—“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear” (1 Tim. 5:20). 

FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS—“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Tim. 6:11).

BRING OTHERS TO CHRIST—“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Tim. 4:5).

GIVE PRIORITY TO THE WORD OF GOD. Study it—“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Continue in it—“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Tim. 3:14).

PREACH IT—“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). 

COMMIT IT TO OTHERS—“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

STATISTICS

• Mother: Eunice
• First mention: Acts 16:1
• Final mention: Hebrews 13:23
• Meaning of his name: “Honoured of God”
• Frequency of his name: Referred to 24 times
• Biblical books mentioning him: 12 books (Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Philemon, Hebrews) Occupation: Missionary and Evangelist
• Place of birth: Lystra
• Important fact about his life: Paul addressed two New Testament epistles to

TITUS BACKGROUND

TITUS CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY

• Titus, the man He was a Gentile Greek, probably from Syrian Antioch.
• Paul probably led him to Christ (Acts 11:26; Titus 1:4).
• Some believe he may have been the brother of Luke.
• He became one of Paul’s most trusted associates.

The apostle refers to him as:

His true son in the faith (Titus 1:4)

His spiritual brother (2 Cor. 2:13)

His partner and helper (2 Cor. 8:23)

A positive role model (2 Cor. 8:23)

TITUS, THE MISSIONARY

He accompanied Paul to Jerusalem after the apostle’s first missionary journey— “Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. . . . But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised” (Gal. 2:1, 3). He joined Paul during his third missionary journey.

Titus, the messenger—On at least two occasions during his third missionary journey, Paul sent Titus to straighten out certain problems that developed in the church at Corinth.

Paul had learned while in Ephesus of the opposition that had developed against him in the Corinthian church.

Attempting to correct this, he sent a letter (which he called his “sorrowful letter”; 2 Cor. 2:4; 7:8) by way of Titus to the church. His grief upon not finding Titus at Troas—“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:12-13).  “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears” (2 Cor. 7:5).

His gladness upon finding Titus in Macedonia—“Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. . . .  And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembered the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him” (2 Cor. 7:6-7, 15).

–          Even though Paul’s letter had caused the majority of the Corinthians to repent of their hostility against the apostle, there was still a minority opposition, led by a group of Judaizers (2 Cor. 10—13).

–          Paul then wrote 2 Corinthians and sent it with Titus and another brother (2 Cor. 8:16-24).

Titus, the minister—“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5).

At Paul’s direction, Titus settled on the Isle of Crete to pastor the church there. During the apostle’s second and final Roman imprisonment, he wrote his epistle to Titus. In this letter Titus was instructed to do the following:

–          Rebuke the slothful lifestyle of the Cretans (Titus 1:10-13).

–          Reject all heresy and warn the heretics (Titus 3:10).

–          Preach sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).

–          Avoid foolish philosophical speculations (Titus 3:9).

–          Exhort with all authority (Titus 2:15).

–          Meet the apostle in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).

–          Help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip (Titus 3:13).

STATISTICS

• First mention: 2 Corinthians 2:13
• Final mention: Titus 1:4
• Frequency of his name: Referred to 12 times
• Biblical books mentioning him: Four (2 Corinthians, Galatians, 2 Timothy, Titus)
• Occupation: Missionary and Evangelist
• Important fact about his life: Paul addressed a New Testament epistle to him.

PAUL AS LOVING MENTOR TO TIMOTHY

The mentoring relationship that existed between Paul and Timothy is clearly depicted in the New Testament. A careful examination of this relationship as it progressed reveals Paul’s approach to mentoring Timothy as a minister of the gospel. This approach includes carefully selecting and training as the right person for the job, equipping him for the tasks of ministry, empowering him for success, employing him for effectiveness, and communicating the value of their relationship.

THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB 

Paul recognized the importance of equipping a successor to carry on the gospel message after his life and ministry Paul believed that his life was nearing its end, stating, “I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  To leave his earthly ministry without establishing a means for its continuation would contradict his overarching message to Timothy, which was to be strong in the preaching of the Word. He also encouraged Timothy to “discharge all the duties of your ministry,” thus reminding Timothy to develop his own successor in the future.

Paul sought the right man for the job, relying on the Holy Spirit’s leading. According to Acts 16:1-3, Paul met Timothy while he was traveling through Lystra. Paul discovered that Timothy was the son of a believing Jewess and a Greek father and that people spoke highly of him. A good reputation was a characteristic that Paul valued immensely. In fact, after revealing Timothy’s excellent reputation, Acts 16:3 clearly states that “Paul wanted to take him along on the journey.” It was at this moment that the loving mentor relationship between Paul and Timothy began.

As soon as Paul and Timothy’s mentoring relationship commenced, Paul began equipping Timothy for the task of spreading God’s Word on earth. According to Acts 17:14, Paul’s strategy for equipping Timothy actually began with an early challenge. While Paul was preaching in Berea, some of the Jews came to agitate the crowds. Immediately, Paul separated himself from Timothy and their partner Silas after giving them instructions to meet him in Athens. In the meantime, Timothy and Silas were charged with the task of nurturing the young congregation that Paul had established in Berea.

Paul’s purpose in renewing this charge was so that “Timothy is reminded of his fellowship with Christ. This comforting promise of continual fellowship, however, ought to compel us to the heights of faithfulness, for our Lord is also our judge (2 Tim 4:8). Through a renewal of his present charge, Timothy would be motivated to “the heights of faithfulness.”

Paul also reminds Timothy of the unique role he must carry out until the end, as he tells Timothy to “guard what has been entrusted to your care.” Finally, Paul points Timothy to the ultimate reason for zealously preaching the gospel: the sovereign God, “the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.

Paul also empowered Timothy by directing his attention toward the goals of ministry. According to “Timothy: Man of God,” Paul focused on the main goals of ministry that were designed to motivate Timothy to endure any hardships he might encounter. These concepts include eternal reward, past promises, present promises, future promises, and the sovereign God.

Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.” By persevering through the earthly challenges of ministry, Timothy would be rewarded with the blessings of eternal life. Second, in terms of past promises, Paul’s strategy was to remind Timothy of the commitment he made to Christ and to serving the gospel “when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses;”

PAUL’S CONFIDENCE IN TIMOTHY V. 5

Paul did not think that Timothy’s tears were evidence of failure or insincerity. Paul was sure that Timothy’s faith was genuine, and that this faith would see him through in spite of the troubles he was facing. Apparently Lois, Timothy’s grandmother, was the first one in the family won to Christ; then His mother, Eunice, was converted. Timothy’s father was a Greek (Acts 16:1), so Eunice had not practiced the orthodox Jewish faith. However, Timothy’s mother and grandmother had seen to it that he was taught the Scriptures (2 Tim 3:15); and this was great preparation for the hearing of the Gospel.

When Paul came to Lystra on his first missionary journey, that was probably the occasion for Timothy’s conversion. When Paul returned on his second journey, he enlisted Timothy into Christian service.

Paul had watched Timothy’s life and service during those years they were together. He was certain that Timothy’s faith was genuine. In fact, Timothy’s heritage was a great one; for he was reared in a godly home, trained by a wonderful apostle, and given marvelous opportunities for serving the Lord. Timothy. Our impressions of Timothy come from Acts and from the letters he received from Paul. Timothy was a youth of good reputation, probably a resident of Lystra (Acts 16:2).

His father was a Greek and his mother a devout Jewess who, with his grandmother Lois, instructed Timothy in the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 16:1; 2 Tim 1:5,14). Timothy was probably a teen when he first joined Paul; fifteen years later Paul could write, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young” (1 Tim 4:12).

It’s uncertain how heavily Timothy was involved in missionary work during the intervening years; however, his name keeps appearing in association with Paul and Silas. Certainly, Paul had known this young man intimately. And Paul now committed to Timothy much of his own ministry, and gave him his last words of advice.

“1 TIM 3:15; FROM A CHILD THOU HAST KNOWN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.” That must have been a privilege of no slight importance in the estimation of Paul, which he considered worthy of peculiar mention, at such a time, and in his dying charge to his most beloved friend and companion. And when Timothy himself traced back the course of his life to his earlier years — when the memory of those youthful days rose upon his melting mind, as he perused the apostle’s touching allusion, he too would most readily acknowledge the gracious hand of providence in having thus blessed him with the inestimable advantages of an early religious education.

 THAT THE SCRIPTURES ARE ABLE TO MAKE WISE UNTO SALVATION. The Scriptures do, indeed, contain the truth that makes wise to salvation, but it is “by faith that is in Christ Jesus.” It is when the Scriptures are believed, when they are received in the love of them, that man becomes a partaker of a blessing. Here it may be said, what strange language! — believe the Scriptures! — why, we always believed them! Those who utter such observations may imagine they believe, but they never believed “faith worketh by love” — “faith purifies the heart” — “faith overcomes the world” — faith is not a fancy — faith is not something floating through the mind of man, but it is of the operation of God.

FIRST DUTY OF PARENTS:

1. Paul found Timothy, in their earliest acquaintance, a person who, though young in years, was fitted to enter the world in situations of great trust and confidence.
2. Paul had to think of Timothy, whilst employed in the onerous duties of his vocation, as one whose bodily constitution was sickly, and hence as one who was liable to severe illness or early death.

Paul had to experience the contemplation of being shortly separated from Timothy, having before his own eyes the certain prospect of martyrdom. Yet, in all his reflections, arising from the various circumstances attending his connection with this beloved disciple, one sufficient consolation filled with Paul’s affectionate heart.

CONCLUSION

HYMN

364

(NEARER MY GOD, TO THEE)

BY SARAH FLOWER ADAMS

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