Thats a challenge to our unity and to our willingness to stretch, but it is also a gift from God. their refusal to participate in Romes social and civic life, which Timothy was the product of a mixed marriage. Thanks to an inscription we know with fairly decent precision when Gallio was in office and can date this event in Pauls life to approximately AD 51 (maybe 52). Simple as this! Here is a brief extract from an article that suggests Paul might not have appeared before Caesar after he was imprisoned in Rome. He accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys, and when Paul was in prison, Timothy represented Paul at Corinth and Philippi. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. We too must recognize the need for Christian fellowship in our lives and surround ourselves with Christian brothers and sisters who will encourage us and pray for us. But thats not the way Jesus handled it. Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. believed only his execution would be left (4:67), which was probably Well-grounded in Paul's teachings, Timothy was a reliable evangelist skilled at presenting the gospel. For the first time I picked up the Bible and read it cover to cover, by Christmas Eve 2002. It became one of the most famous sermons of the 20th century. Has God placed a young believer in your life to encourage and guide as Paul mentored Timothy? And so we who lead must say to the next generation, We wont be here forever so you must prepare to lead.. So we might need to pray for strength, or love, or self-discipline. When your first priority is Jesus Christ, true wisdom follows. I hope youre Christlike enough for that; Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). We can overcome our age or other obstacles through spiritual maturity. Octavianus, who was the Roman emperor in the time when our Saviour was He really does show how hard it is. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Discipleship, Spiritual Growth, and Christian Living, Is there someone for whom I frequently thank God? This refers to a sleeveless, round garment worn for warmth and to protect one from inclement weather. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. For additional information and resources visit us at www.insight.org. Its simple. And then I back up, and I think, Thats what youre supposed to do with the Bible., Paul wrote, Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything (2 Timothy 2:7). (NLT). Afterwards, he wrote (at least) 2 Timothy. Sometimes sickness interrupts partnership in ministry. So, come before winter because its getting long out here. Thats my first point, that ministry is relationally hard. Timothy, seeing the procession, was so irritated at their idolatry and superstition that he rushed in among them in order to stop their proceedings; upon which I look back, and one of my greatest sorrows is the number of my people who will be able to say, He didnt show up. 1 Corinthians 4:17For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. It is important to note that persecution can mean a variety of things, ranging from simply having people spreads lies about you, to ultimate persecution that Jesus Christ endured and overcame. Paul, you are the most influential, the most authoritative, the most widely read Christian on the planet. Have you ever thought about how insane and tragic it is, how many people who after being let down by Christian friends use it as a reason to leave the one friend who will never let them down? One of the most heartrending calls came from the assistant manager of the Windows on the World restaurant on top of one of the towers. They all forsook him and fled, and what did he do? What was it in Thessalonica? Assuming the reliability of the text, Paul appeared before Nero. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. Come to Christ while you have the opportunity and while you have the desire. Therell be a few people in your church, just a few, who know how much you give back to the church. 4:11; see Col. 4:14), which may indicate that he is the amanuensis or secretary who is writing the letters to Timothy and Titus on the apostles behalf. What letter must you write? What service could you render for the Lord and his church? (NIV), 1 Timothy 6:20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. And if he waited that long, Paul would very likely already be dead. You didnt show up.. My own understanding is that Paul came before Caesar Augustus (Claudius Caesar, died in 54 AD) and was exonerated. Hes the only flawless friend, and therefore the only all-satisfying friend, and therefore the only friend who can make other friendships eternal. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. (NIV), Philemon 2:22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. This would account for some of the differences in Greek style and vocabulary between the Pastoral Epistles and Pauls other letters as well as the similarities in style between the Pastorals and the books of Luke and Acts. He left the military but continued to drink heavily. We were in a hurry, on our way to or from Dallas, it was late in the day, but I thought to myself, I should stop and see him or at least stop and call. Marlene even said, We can stop if you want to. But I did neither, and we drove on, and he died a few days later. Lets read 2 Timothy 4:922. Whether for that reason or for the fire, For this which I have is very thin. . View our current career opportunities. and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. Known in earlier times as the Tullianum dungeon, its He then was under house arrest in Rome for two years (28:30), awaiting an appearance before Nero. Thus ends Pauls fourthmissionary journey. carried out in AD 68.3. I feel guilty all the time around him because I love the world. He left Jesus, and he left Paul. But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the Edit: When Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome from Corinth (Greece) during his third missionary journey (cf. He probably wants Timothy to see himself in similar terms: appointed by the will of God and promised life in Christ. So, I want to give you a warning. Another way to put it is, when Christ died so that you would enjoy him supremely, he did not nullify the enjoyment of other Christians. I am no longer young, no matter what people may think. Paul must have languished in the Mamertine Prison for a couple of years before his beheading (as befitting his status as a Roman citizen), which, according to tradition, occurred on the Ostian Way about three miles outside the city. One part of seeking Gods kingdom means laying up treasures in heaven by investing our earthly money in Gods work. But when they fail when they dont show up at your trial, the funeral of your wife, your stay in the hospital dont turn on your one friend who will be there. Many years ago Holman Hunt painted a classic picture called, Christ Standing at the Door. It depicts Jesus at the door of a lovely English cottage. He wants Timothy there. He didnt want to die alone. Paul is forsaken by Demas. Friends fail us; they do. Grace be with you. And then Paul reminds Timothy of what the gospel is, and why he should preach it: God has saved us and called us to a holy life not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. The word holy means set apart for God. God not only gives us eternal life, he tells us that our life has purpose we are set apart for Gods use. Timothy was a young man who began traveling with Paul and Silas when they visited Lystra during the second missionary journey ( Acts 16:1 ). Timothys mother Do you think Im joking? In his sermon McCartney imagines that Timothy said to himself, Yes, I must go to Rome but first I must attend to some matters in Ephesus. And because he delays, winter comes and he cannot get a ship until spring. So, failing friends, imperfect friends, sinful friends will let you down, and they can still be your friends. Zavada, Jack. Good friends in ministry can let you down and still be good friends. If this event occurred in AD 49 (or even just relatively close to it), that would put Paul in Corinth in the early 50s. Luke and Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia did not show up at his trial, and he embraces them and say not to hold it against them and he greets Timothy from them. Zavada, Jack. Vespasian was Roman emperor from 69 to 79. They say that youth must be served. citys fourteen districts. Timothy had helped Paul spread his message. Thats where he was going. In chapter 1 Paul moved quickly into encouragement for Timothy. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. The inferno raged for six days and seven Timothys death is not recorded in the Bible. Failing friends, failing kids, failing wives can be our friends our sweet friends. During Pauls first imprisonment, he awaited trial before Roman Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Pauls fourthmissionary journey? 4:2) or be overactive (1 Cor. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. He writes his last letter to the man who had worked with him the longest. He encourages Timothy to continue his work. Paul begins by explaining who he is: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. Timothy already knows this, so why does Paul include it? During his final imprisonment, the apostle instructs Timothy to bring Mark with him when he comes to Rome because he is useful to me (2 Tim. All rights reserved. The procuratorship of Porcius Festus. Do your best to get here before winter (v. 21). Seek Christian friendships. Remember that Timothy is probably in Ephesus, hundreds of miles Timothy already knows this, so why does Paul include it? Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/timothy-companion-of-the-apostle-paul-701073. WebPerhaps the most infamous of Rome's emperors, Nero Claudius Caesar (37-68 A.D.) ruled Rome from 54 A.D. until his death by suicide 14 years later. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. There are good reasons for every item included below. It belongs to the generation rising up beneath us. Although he had been released from prison several times before, Paul now senses that death will be his only escape. I would just urge you; dont be unforgiving and dont be simplistic. There is an embrace of culture God-ignoring, God-denying, God-demeaning, Christ-distorting product of culture that is mutually exclusive with a deep love for Jesus. Therefore, we must do what Jesus saidSeek first the Kingdom of God. Finally, people with great influence and great authority dont need great possessions. Now, if thats all we had, wed say, See, Jesus is a faithful friend. Interested in joining the Ligonier team? Tell him to meet me in heaven.. 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