… and Timothy our brother …
Summary: Paul includes Timothy as a co-author of this letter.
Each of Paul’s letters recorded in the New Testament begins with his name, “Paul.” About half of the thirteen letters attributed to Paul reference no other names except that of Jesus Christ. Of the remaining seven letters, two are addressed to Timothy. Six of the remaining letters include Timothy as a co-author.
That’s a lot of Timothy!
Timothy was very important to Paul and the early church. It is possible that Timothy may have helped start the church at Colossae, but I can find no hard evidence that would support that idea.
Timothy, it seems, was a name that was almost as well known in Christian circles as Paul’s. Why else would Paul include it? If Paul began his letter, “Paul, and apostle of Christ Jesus, and John Doe whom nobody knows,” what value does that add to the readers of the letter?
Timothy was an important name in Paul’s day, not just to Paul, but to the churches and people who knew him. He often traveled with Paul, but there were times Paul would leave him to carry on with the Gospel on his own.
He was personally well known to Paul, who considered him both a spiritual son (1 Timothy 1:2) and a brother.
The Holy Spirit provided companions for Paul during most of his life as a Christian. Luke, the historian and physician, accompanied Paul on many of his journeys. There are many others Paul mentions in his letters who are with him at various times, but Timothy is special.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes the following about Timothy:
“I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.” (Philippians 2:20)
Who does that remind us of?
Jesus?
Yes, Timothy had a genuine Christ-like spirit. He sounds like one of those rare people who put others first. He is exactly the kind of person Paul would want by his side to help spread the Gospel message.
Application: Strive to be like Timothy and Paul.
Food for Thought: What is it about Timothy that made him special to Paul?
Timothy was unique because he had a Greek father and a Jewish mother, which helped him connect with different types of people. Acts 16:1-3.
Paul wrote of Timothy that from a child his mother Eunice, had taught him to know the holy Scriptures 2 Timothy 3:15.
1) Timothy was a helpful team mate (Acts 16:1-5)
2) Timothy was a caring servant (Philippians 2:19-24)
3) Timothy was a trusted teacher (1 Timothy 1:1-3)
4) Timothy was a faithful leader (2 Timothy 1:3-6)
Paul trusted Timothy and sent him to help Christian communities understand how to live and work together.
Thanks Ron!
Your words point us to the value of being raised in a God fearing home!
Thank you for the devotional brother. And thank you R2T2 for your excellent comments.
Another point is that Paul poured his life into Timothy to disciple him. I am sure that Paul did not choose to invest such time and effort thoughtlessly. It is clear from his letters that his love for Timothy was genuine. But that he did disciple Timothy, meant that Timothy had great value as an investment for the future advancement of the gospel. The relationship between a teacher and their disciple can be very strong. And we see that here.
Thank you, Rich.
Yes, there was something special in the bond between them. The imagery Paul uses testifies to that:
father / son
brother
Family bonds are strong!
Thank you all for the kind words…
LOL!!
(It took me a minute … )
🙂