“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2 Timothy 1:1–2
Paul wrote 2 Timothy, probably his last letter, from a dark, cold prison cell in Rome. Paul knew life was hard and ministry harder, so he wrote Timothy a letter to encourage him as he worked for the gospel in Ephesus.
In 1 Timothy, Paul calls Timothy “my true child.” In this first chapter of 2 Timothy, he refers to him as “my beloved child.” Paul most likely didn’t have any children. When the Bible mentions Timothy’s family it never mentions his dad. There’s a close, father-son relationship that was going on that brought Paul a lot of joy.
“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.” 2 Timothy 1:3–4
In verse 3, Paul talks about his rich history, his line of faith. His family served God for many generations. Timothy has that same line of faith with his grandmother and mother.
Paul tells Timothy he serves God with a clear conscience. There’s nothing left that’s regretful or undone. Paul understands he works hard and it’s empowered by grace and God. Paul says all the time he didn’t hold anything back. Not only did God call Paul to serve him, but he empowered the very service he called him to. It’s with this love and clear conscience that he can tell Timothy to continue to work hard and serve the people of Ephesus boldly.
"I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:5–7
Paul reminds Timothy not be discouraged. God is doing something in Ephesus. In verse 5 he tells him, you have the same stuff that God put in your ancestors. He wants him to believe God and believe in his promises.
When we work in the area of spiritual giftedness it’s really an act of faith. God has gifted you to serve others. You can fan that gift in faith.
God didn’t give us a spirit of fear. If you have a fearful, inward disposition you need to know that’s not from God. Paul tells Timothy he can trust God in Jesus. God gave us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. Not of fear. That power comes through the finished work of Jesus to the most inward depths of our soul.
Questions
- Do people fill you with joy? On Sundays, do you show up to church excited to see the people of God and worship with them? If not, something isn’t right.
- Do you serve God with a clear conscience? Paul says all the time he served God with all he had. I don’t want you to have any regrets. If not, what needs to change? What do you need to turn from and trust to Jesus so you can have a clear conscience?
- Do you have a spirit of fear, or one of power, love, and self-discipline? The latter is what God wants for you.
