2 Timothy 1 -- Paul's Encouragements To Timothy From Prison

My commentary began, “God would soon move Paul off the scene, and Timothy would take his place and continue to give spiritual leadership to the churches … Paul gave Timothy three essentials that he must possess to have success:

                Courageous enthusiasm

                Shameless suffering

                Spiritual loyalty

To keep the fire burning in Timothy’s heart, Paul encouraged Timothy through his love, his prayers, his confidence in Timothy, and God’s gift to Timothy, which the Holy Spirit imparted to Timothy by enabling him to serve God, by giving him love, and by giving him self-control.

“Timothy didn’t need any new spiritual ingredients in his life; all he had to do was stir up what he already had.”

Timothy was naturally timid, and Paul encouraged him to not be ashamed of the Lord’s testimony or of the Lord’s prisoner (Paul himself).

Paul also told Timothy to be loyal to God’s Word and be loyal to God’s servant.  By doing this himself, Timothy would value all the more those God would someday place in his congregations who would do the same for him.

Father, thank You for helping me to see this from a pastor’s perspective – what You provide for them even through me.  Help me to be a part of the solution always and never a part of the problem.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford