- Paul’s sufferings: (10:11-12): Paul had faced many times persecutions, trials. Here he summarizes Timothy some specific areas which Timothy was well aware of:
At Antioch: Paul was kicked out of the city for preaching the gospel (Acts 13:50)
At Iconioum: Paul was almost killed by stoning (Acts 14:5)
At Lystra: This was the home town of Timothy. Paul was stoned left him thinking that he was dead (Acts 14:19).
God delivered Paul and his associates. Now Paul was in prison and waiting for his execution. Paul was very much at peace leaving everything at the hands of the Lord. He knew that God is in control of each and every situation. People who obey God and live for Christ will be persecuted. Apostle Peter says: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Pet.2:21). We are bound to get some level of persecution. If we are not living as strangers, if we are not willing to be rejected by some for the sake of Jesus Christ, If we are not willing to be an outcast by some people, then we can never be true followers of Christ.
Ex: In India, where religious pluralism is existing, Christians are always the underdogs, and easy targets for violence just as in the days of Nero in Rome. As James says: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (Jam.1:2). All who desire to live godly life will be persecuted.
- The way of Evil and the way of godly: (3:13-15): The wicked will get still more evil. They will become so much false that they begin to believe the falseness and turn the people from the truth. Persecution of the godly will continue until the Lord returns, because evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. These are the very evil men and impostors Paul has vividly described in (3:1-9). The imposters appear to be good but they are the most destructive people. Much harm has been done by people who were sincerely deceived and who tried to do wrong things out of wonderful motives. Because others look at their wonderful hearts, they accept their dangerous deceptions. We can’t always go only by motives in others but we must measure them also by the truth. We must continue what we have learned from the Basics and must not accept the false teachers. Timothy should continue what he has learned from apostle Paul. Timothy became a second-generation Christian who became a believer not through any evangelist but through his mother Eunice and his grand-mother Lois (1:5; Acts 16:1) who taught Timothy the law of God when he was a little child. For Timothy the holy scripture was the O.T from Genesis to Malachi. The O.T points to the coming of Jesus Christ. His father was not a Jew. But Paul led him to Christ. A parent’s work is vital not only at home but also in church. At home and in the church a parent has an opportunity and responsibility. Every parent should take inspiration from the Timothy’s mother and grandmother. On the part of Paul we see that:
- Paul led Timothy to Christ.
- Paul gave him ministry opportunity.
- Paul taught him by both word and example.
- Paul laid hands on him in ordination.
- Paul guided and mentored him in the midst of his busy ministry.
Ex: The story of Mistress Elizabeth Wheatenhall, daughter of Mr Anthony Wheatenhall, of Tenterden in Kent, late deceased, is very memorable. She being brought up by her aunt, the Lady Wheatenhall, before she was nine years old (not much above eight), could say all the New Testament by heart; yea, being asked where any words thereof were, she could presently name book, chapter, and verse.” (Trapp)
Paul urges Timothy to continue in what he has received from Paul and at the same time never forget that he didn’t start from Paul, but it was a heritage that was passed on to him. Timothy came in contact with the Holy Spirit long before he met Paul. Since we all belong to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no wisdom greater than the Word of God which make us wise for the Salvation which is available only through Jesus Christ. Each generation has to experience this Salvation which is a free gift that the Lord has provided. When we study the Word of God in faith, we will be lead into the Salvation experience.