Paul’s Friends
In verses 9-12, Paul urges the Corinthians to support Timothy and greet Apollos when he has the chance to meet them.
In verses 9-12, Paul urges the Corinthians to support Timothy and greet Apollos when he has the chance to meet them.
Paul is always making new friends and allies.
In verses 1-8, he meets Priscilla and Aquila, collaborates with Silas and Timothy, and converts synagogue leaders Titius Justus and Crispus.
Ouch. In verses 1-5, we read about Timothy’s circumcision.
Paul does this to make it easier for Timothy to minister to the Jewish Christians.
In 1 Timothy 2 and 4, Paul reminds Timothy of the importance of “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving.”
He particularly tells Timothy that people should always pray for their leaders.
I don’t pray for my leaders often. I should do this more.
In 2:3, Paul writes, “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
We are not called to pursue suffering for its own sake, but only in service to the higher purpose of serving Christ.
Who can you suffer with today?
We are reminded, in 1:5, of the power of a family’s faith in the development of a child’s relationship with God. Do you have a Eunice?
I will finish 2010 with an abbreviated two-week study of 2 Timothy, rather than the 6 weeks scheduled. This will put me on track to finish all of 2010′s books except Romans.
The thing that I find most interesting about 2 Timothy is that it’s Paul’s last known writing before his execution.
If you knew that you were condemned to die, I wonder what you would write about? And maybe more importantly, who’d you’d write to.
Paul chooses to write to Timothy, a young pastor that Paul has been mentoring.
In 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul sends Timothy to check up on the Thessalonian church.
Timothy came back with a positive report.
I wonder if they recognized Timothy, or if he visited without being noticed.
It is clear that Paul valued Timothy’s gifts and service.