Some More on Timothy

Paul calls Timothy his son in several places in his letters (1 Cor. 4.17, Phil. 2.22, 1 Tim. 1.2). He calls Timothy his fellow worker (Rom. 16.21; 1 Thes. 3.2; 1 Cor. 16.10 [literally says that Timothy is carrying out the work of the Lord, just as Paul was]).

He was a frequent collaborator and was named as a co-sender of several of Paul’s letters: 1 and 2 Thessalonians; 2 Corinthians; Colossians; Philemon and Philippians.l

Here is what I find remarkable. Look at all of the assignments Paul gave Timothy. He sent Timothy to Thessalonica to strengthen and encourage the church there (1 Thes. 3.1-2). He sent him to Corinth to remind his church of his ways and to warn them from falling victim to false teaching (1 Cor. 4.16-17; 16.10). He sent him to Philippi to help with dissension and to give them a report of Paul’s well being (Phil 2.19-24). And of course he sent him to Ephesus to teach the true gospel in the face of the spread of false teaching (1 Tim. 1.3).

Basically, if Paul needed to be somewhere and couldn’t make it himself then he sent Timothy, his right hand man, his trusted collaborator, his fellow worker and his true son in the faith.

Timothy must have been a man of true courage, impeccable integrity and a man worthy of his calling an ambassador of Christ.