Bible Study - 2 Timothy 1:2-10
- Read 2 Timothy 1:2-10
- Paul was in prison in Rome. He needed others to continue his work.
One of those people was Timothy, a church leader in Ephesus, whom Paul
had personally brought to a living faith in Jesus Christ. Let us see
how Paul begins to encourage and enable Timothy to do this task.
- Verses 2-6: Paul recalls aspects of Timothy's life. He
remembers these things because he prays daily for Timothy. He does so
with heartfelt thanks, as he considers Timothy's faith and
commitment since he first became a Christian. Paul calls him my dear
son - his son in the faith.
- Timothy had found that faith through his grandmother and his
mother. Paul seems to be concerned that this faith might grow weak, so
he encourages Timothy to fan the flames of that faith.
- Verse 7: Paul reminds Timothy that the Spirit of God - the Spirit
who became very real to him at the time of his baptism, and then at his
ordination - is the very opposite of timidity, of fear. The Holy Spirit
is power, love and self-discipline.
- Finally, Paul tells Timothy to expect difficulties, and not to be
ashamed of associating with Paul because he is a prisoner. The Gospel
they both live for transcends suffering and death.
- Timothy was an effective leader, partly as a result of Paul's
prayers. We too can pray for people doing God's work in far away
places, for example Colin and Anita Smith in Nairobi, Kenya - our CMS
link missionaries. We may be surprised at the difference that our
prayer makes.
- To think about
- 1. When Paul prayed for Timothy, he vividly imagined him and
remembered a great many details of his life. How can we do something
similar with those we pray for?
- 2. Paul, a helpless prisoner in Rome, encouraged Timothy to
continue his work. How can we encourage others to do God's work
that we are unable to do?
- Prayer
- Father, help us to build such relationships as existed between Paul
and Timothy, that we may really encourage others to do your work, even
though they may be a great distance from us.