The Apostle Paul had many coworkers and close companions. But most likely Paul’s closest companion was Timothy. Timothy is prominent in Paul’s ministry and letters. In six of Paul’s thirteen letters, he links himself with Timothy in the opening greeting section, as if Timothy were coauthor of the letters (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon). Timothy is mentioned in two other letters (Romans and 1 Corinthians). Two letters are addressed to him. So, of the thirteen Pauline letters, Timothy appears in ten of them.
To begin with, Timothy was an active coworker of Paul. Paul writes to the church in Rome, “Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you” (Rom. 16:21). But Timothy was also active in the churches that Paul started. The church in Corinth was one of the most troubled and corrupt churches that Paul founded. But he had confidence enough in Timothy to send him to sort out their troubles and to bring harmony and righteousness among them. Paul exhorts the Corinthians: “I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church” (1 Cor. 4:16–17).
Yet, Timothy’s temperament was different from Paul’s. It appears that Timothy was relatively timid, which is implied both in 1 Corinthians 16:10 and 2 Timothy 1:6–7. Paul writes to the church at Corinth, “When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.” Paul also exhorts Timothy himself, “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 Tim. 1:6–7).
Timothy’s personal traits and characteristics probably would not rate him very high on the list of most churches’ pulpit committees. In addition to being relatively timid, he was relatively young. Paul instructs him not to let others look down on him because of his youth (1 Tim. 4:12). Timothy was also relatively sick. Paul instructs him to drink a little wine “for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Tim. 5:23). These features would make many churches today uneasy. But we know one final thing about Timothy—namely, that he knew and was rooted in the Word of God, and he was willing to serve God despite his physical struggles. It was precisely this knowledge of God’s Word that made Timothy a valuable minister of Jesus Christ, and Paul had complete confidence in him.
Thus, we see in both Acts and Paul’s letters Timothy’s active involvement in a number of churches, not only in Corinth, but also in Philippi and Thessalonica. Timothy appears to have been Paul’s most trusted helper, a faithful servant of Christ, whose ministry of the Word of God was vital in helping the early churches be established, grow, and avoid falsehood. He served as a pastor to the church in Ephesus for several years. He had the assistance of elders and deacons (1 Tim. 3:1–13). Many of the elders had gifts in teaching and preaching (1 Tim. 5:17–18), which would have been invaluable for the ministry of the church. But Timothy would have been seen as their “pastor.”
Paul also exhorts Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5). Paul himself was committed to the Great Commission, teaching and preaching salvation in Jesus Christ. Timothy is called to do the same. But at the heart of his ministry is teaching and preaching the Word to God’s people. Paul writes, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2). God’s people need to be built up with the Word of God.
Timothy’s work in Ephesus spanned several years, and he seems to be the one who was primarily responsible for the church’s spiritual well-being. Elders and deacons were invaluable. But Timothy had a unique role that was devoted to teaching and preaching the Word of God. There were elders who primarily oversaw the church and others who also taught (1 Tim. 3:1–7; 5:17–18). Timothy’s ministry was certainly in partnership with theirs. But Timothy had a unique role, one that was centered on the ministry of the Word—reading, teaching, preaching the Scriptures. Paul’s instructions to Timothy, then, are vitally important for understanding the role of pastors today.
Many think of the Apostle Paul as a lone ranger kind of guy. But he valued and needed friends and companions—especially Timothy. Paul wrote to him:
As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 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. (2 Tim. 1:4–5)
Paul and Timothy had a spiritual bond in Christ. But they also had a strong emotional bond, like a father and his child. Paul writes, “To Timothy, my beloved child” (2 Tim. 1:2). Timothy was loved by Paul. More importantly, he was loved by God, whom he served faithfully.
Ligonier Ministries