Biblical scholars have suggested that Timothy’s father wasn’t really in the picture, at least when it came to his spiritual life. This is inferred from the fact that Timothy’s mom and grandma are mentioned as part of is spiritual heritage, but his dad is not (1.5). Either he had abandoned the family, or he refused to believe in Jesus when the rest of his family did.
That story will sound familiar to many of you, because it’s been replayed in your life.
This also explains why Paul refers to Timothy as his “dear son”. Paul steps into the fatherly role and gives the fatherly exhortation that Timothy (and many of us) so desperately need.
His message: “You are strong. Be strong! Use your strength well!”
Paul encourages him by telling him that “I know that same faith continues strong in you.”
We wonder if we have anything to offer, if we have what it takes. And we do:
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” (1.7)
God has gifted us with strength, the power to serve and to love and endure. It is up to us to use that strength well:
“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.... Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2.1, 3)
Many of you, especially those of you who have a spiritual disconnect with your fathers, do not hear very often that you are strong. You do not hear that you have something extraordinary to offer the world. You do not hear a challenge to use your strength well.
So hear it from God’s Word today. Paul, speaking as the father that Timothy never had, speaks for the Father that some of us never had.
Lord, thank you that you provide the strength to do what you have called me to do. Help me to use my strength well today, to endure and to serve. Amen.
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