Words: 364
Time to read: 2 minutes
Paul exhorted Timothy to be an example. Timothy was younger than perhaps the majority of the church. Yet, God had given him the solemn task of leading others to Christ and spiritual maturity. This is not always an easy task, especially for someone young in age. Perhaps Timothy had watched Paul evangelize, preach, counsel, and disciple and thought, “Oh, I can do this.” But what a stark reality awaited him in the wicked city of Ephesus! Idolatry, sexual promiscuity, and doctrinal perversion were rampant in his place of service. Paul, now nearing the end of his colorful ministry, is exhorting his son in the faith to continue. Timothy’s doubts may have well been perceived by the weary apostle, now bound night and day to a Roman guard. Or perhaps Paul heard of Timothy’s troubles and sought to head off any personal misgivings that may have arisen. The apostle writes simply and cogently. He pulls no punches. If Timothy sought to be merely consoled by his mentor, then he had another thing coming. He is exhorted and challenged to go on and to be an example.
This is a wonderful truth–even in the midst of battles and apostasy, even young men in the ministry must simply be an example. Perhaps in the Ephesian church, men and women were far older in the faith and further ahead in life. This was not to deter young Timothy from faithfully administering God’s Word and the work in this ancient seaside city, regardless of how fierce the opposition may have been. Paul told Timothy to be an example. This doesn’t mean that he was the most mature. In word. In conversation. This doesn’t mean that he had to be the best. In charity. In spirit. This doesn’t mean that he always had to be in front. In faith. In purity. He just had to have a life that was an example that others could look up to. He had his faults, just as Paul had his own. Timothy had seen the faith of Paul and he was eager to follow it. Someone was watching Timothy and the old apostle simply wanted to remind the young pastor: be an example.