Then he (Paul) came to Derbe and
Lystra. And behold, a certain Disciple
was there, named Timothy, the
son of a certain Jewish Woman, who Believed, but his (Timothy’s) father was Greek. He (Timothy) was well spoken of by the Brethren,
who were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul
wanted to have him (Timothy) go on with him (Paul). And he (Paul) took him (Timothy) and circumcised him (Timothy), because of the Jews
who were in that region, for they all knew that his (Timothy’s) father was Greek. And as They (Paul, Silas, and Timothy) went
through the cities, They (Paul, Silas, and Timothy) delivered to them (the
people) the Decrees to keep, which were determined, by The Apostles and Elders
at Jerusalem. So the Churches were
strengthened in the Faith, and increased in number daily.
I (Paul) do NOT write these things to shame YOU, but
as My Beloved Children, I warn YOU. For though YOU might have Ten Thousand Instructors
in Christ, yet YOU do NOT have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus,
I have begotten YOU, through The Gospel.
Therefore, I (Paul) urge YOU, imitate me. For this reason, I (Paul) have sent Timothy
to YOU, who is My Beloved and Faithful Son, in The Lord (Jesus Christ), who
will remind YOU of My Ways in Christ, as I (Paul) teach everywhere, in every Church.
For
The Son of God (God Almighty), Jesus Christ, who was Preached among YOU, by Us,
by me (Paul), Silvanus, and Timothy, was NOT Yes and No, but in Him (Jesus
Christ) was Yes. For All The Promises of
God in Him (Jesus Christ) are
Yes, and in Him (Jesus Christ) Amen, to The Glory of God (God Almighty),
through Us. Now, He (God Almighty) who
establishes Us with YOU, in Christ, and has Anointed Us, is God (God Almighty), who also has Sealed
Us, and given Us, The Spirit (The Holy Spirit), in Our hearts, as a Guarantee.
But I (Paul) Trust in The Lord Jesus (Jesus Christ) to
send Timothy to YOU shortly, that I (Paul) also may be encouraged, when I know
your state. For I (Paul) have no one
like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, NOT the things which
are of Christ Jesus. But YOU know his (Timothy)
proven character, that as a son with his
father, he (Timothy) served with me (Paul), in The Gospel. Therefore, I (Paul) hope to send him (Timothy)
at once, as soon as I (Paul) see how it goes with me.
Therefore, when We (The Disciples/Apostles) could no
longer endure it, We (The Disciples/Apostles) thought it good to be left in
Athens alone, and sent Timothy, Our Brother and Minister of God (God Almighty),
and Our Fellow Laborer, in The Gospel of Christ, to establish YOU and encourage
YOU concerning your Faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions;
for YOU yourselves know, that We (The Disciples/Apostles) are Appointed to
this. For, in fact, We (The
Disciples/Apostles) told YOU before when We were with YOU, that We (The
Disciples/Apostles) would suffer Tribulation, just as it happened, and YOU
know. For this reason, when I (Paul) could
no longer endure it, I sent to know your Faith, lest by some means the tempter
had tempted YOU, and Our Labor might be in vain.
But now that Timothy has come to Us (The
Disciples/Apostles) from YOU, and brought Us, Good News of your Faith and Love,
and that YOU always have Good Remembrance of Us, greatly desiring to see Us, as
We also to see YOU, therefore,
Brethren, in all Our affliction and distress, We (The Disciples/Apostles) were
comforted concerning YOU, by your Faith.
I (Paul) thank God (God Almighty), whom I serve with a
Pure Conscience, as my
forefathers did, as without
ceasing I remember YOU (Timothy), in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring
to see YOU (Timothy), being mindful of your tears, that I (Paul) may be filled
with joy, when I (Paul) call to remembrance, The Genuine Faith, that is in YOU
(Timothy), which dwelt first in your Grandmother, Lois, and your Mother,
Eunice, and I (Paul) am persuaded is in YOU (Timothy) also. Therefore, I (Paul) remind YOU (Timothy), to
stir up The Gift of God (God Almighty), which is in YOU (Timothy), through the
laying on of my (Paul’s) hands. For God (God
Almighty) has NOT given Us, a Spirit of fear, but of Power and of Love and of a
Sound Mind.
[Note: Paul thought enough of Timothy, to write two
letters of encouragement to him (Timothy).
These two letters are preserved for Us, in The Holy Bible, in The New
Testament, 1st Timothy and 2nd Timothy]
So, who was Timothy?
We learn Timothy’s Mother is Jewish and Timothy’s Father was Greek. We later learn, Timothy’s Mother’s name, was
Eunice and Timothy’s Maternal Grandmother’s name, was Lois. We learn Timothy was circumcised by Paul, and Timothy
became a Disciple of Paul. Paul refers
to Timothy, as his Son, though they are NOT biologically, Father and Son. Both Paul and Timothy, were Followers,
Disciples of Jesus Christ. Paul trusted
Timothy to share and Preach The Gospel, in Paul’s place, and on his (Timothy’s)
own. Timothy was considered an equal
Disciple of Jesus Christ, meaning Timothy could share and Preach The Gospel of
Jesus Christ, just as well and truthful, as any other Disciple, even Paul.
What can We, Believers, learn from Timothy’s
example? Well, first of all,
Discipleship is passed down, from one Disciple to another. Jesus Christ had 12 mentioned Disciples, but He
also had many Followers (Disciples), who were NOT mentioned. Jesus Christ taught All of Them, what He wanted
Us to know, much of it is written, in The New Testament of The Holy Bible. Each of these men and women (yes, women),
taught others, what They were taught by Jesus Christ, creating more Disciples
of Jesus Christ. Then these men and women,
taught even more people, creating even more Disciples of Jesus Christ, and so on. Imagine this, Jesus Christ’s Original
Disciples (11) each teach 12 Disciples of Their own, starting with, the Original
11 Disciples, 11 x 12 = 132 Disciples (Class 1); then 132 x 12 = 1,584
Disciples (Class 2); then 1,584 x 12 = 19,008 Disciples (Class 3); then 19,008
x 12 = 228,096 Disciples (Class 4); then 228,096 x 12 = 2,737,152 Disciples
(Class 5), can YOU see how quickly Disciples of The Lord Jesus Christ can
multiply! Also, even though Timothy was
½ Jewish and ½ Greek, it did NOT stop him from becoming a Disciple of Jesus
Christ, it did NOT stop him (Timothy) from sharing and Preaching The Gospel of
Jesus Christ. Timothy had two women who
greatly influenced his Faith in God Almighty, his Mother, Eunice, and his Maternal
Grandmother, Lois.
Finally,
when We, Believers, lead people to Jesus Christ, meaning sharing and Preaching
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he/she acknowledges God’s Amazing Saving Grace
and accepts God’s Free Gift of Salvation, thereby becoming a Fellow Believer, a
Brother/Sister, in Christ, it’s up to Us to disciple him/her, after all, he/she
is a mere Babe, in Christ. Discipleship
is a continuous learning experience, which each of Us travel on a daily basis. YOU are a Disciple of Jesus Christ, shine His
Light brightly, go forth and make more Disciples, boldly and confidently, God
Almighty has prepared YOU, Jesus Christ is with YOU, and The Holy Spirit will
give YOU the Words to say. Amen.
