Day 202, 1 Timothy 1
We have read multiple letters from Paul to churches. These include general teaching to be applied in multiple locations (and by us to day), as well as specific answers to local issues. Today we begin one of Paul’s letters to one of his apostolic trainees: Timothy. Originally from Lystra, where Paul was stoned to death and raised from the dead (see Acts 14), Timothy had a Jewish mother who converted to Christianity and a Greek father.
Timothy planted and ministered to churches in multiple locations: Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:2–6), Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; 2 Corinthians 1:19), Philippi (Philippians 2:19–23), Berea (Acts 17:14), and Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:2).
Timothy was left in Ephesus when Paul left for Macedonia, to confront false teaching and create a church community founded on love (rather than human traditions).
There are many challenges in Ephesus (and Paul lists them in this chapter), but the common thread is that they are rooted in fallen, human perspective. They are the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Paul’s experience, and the revelation he commissions Timothy to steward and cultivate, is that Father God’s love leads us to the tree of life. Jesus captures our hearts and pours new life into us by the Holy Spirit.
Timothy has been commissioned and recognized as an apostolic leader, and his life is to demonstrate and impart God’s grace and truth to all around him.
You and I share such a commission - to so live that we can easily invite others to follow us as we follow Christ in the power and love of the Holy Spirit
Have a great day!
Mark.