in the early ministry of Paul, Timothy was circumcised before he set forth on

that journey which was destined to bear such fruits of grace.

There is surely a third difference, and one which, perhaps, more than

any other, was of special value to Paul himself, Timothy was not independent.

Barnabas and Silas helped Paul, but for many years, and perhaps throughout

his whole life, Paul continually felt the claim of Timothy upon him.  His

youth, his delicate constitution, his shrinking spirit, provided just that

demand upon the apostle, that perhaps saved him many a time from being

overwhelmed with his own griefs.  He was obliged to set aside his own sorrows

in his anxiety for Timothy.  Barnabas was an encourager, and stepped aside

when his work was done.  Silas was a succourer, who stood in the breach and

did yeoman service for a specific time, but Timothy was a son, and as a son

he remained to the end.

'For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son,

and faithful in the Lord' (1 Cor. 4:17).

'I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I

also may be of good comfort, when I know your state ... For all seek

their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.  But ye know the

proof of him, that, as a son with a father, he hath served with me in

the gospel' (Phil. 2:19 -22).

'Paul, an apostle ... unto Timothy, my own son in the faith' (1 Tim.

'This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy' (1 Tim. 1:18).

'Paul, an apostle ... to Timothy, my dearly beloved son' (2 Tim.

'Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ

Jesus' (2 Tim. 2:1).

It should be remembered that the apostle does not use the word huios,

'son', in these passages, but teknon, 'child'.  The choice of the word is in

harmony with the purpose of Timothy's place, for teknon speaks of affection

and endearment, whereas huios has more the sense of the dignity that attaches

to sonship and inheritance.

The references to Timothy in the Acts correspond with steps in the

training fitting him for the great work awaiting.  His association with the

older man, Silas, must have been of great help, and it must have been an

experience for the timid young man to find his leaders thrown into prison.

So, also, it was in the nature of discipline for him to remain behind at

Berea with Silas, to cover the departure of Paul (Acts 17:14).  Again, in

travelling from place to place as for instance the journey from Berea to

Corinth, valuable experience would be gained (Acts 18:5).  On the return

journey to Macedonia his companion was Erastus, chamberlain of the city of

Corinth (Acts 19:22; Rom. 16:23).  From him he could not but have learned

much useful information concerning that city and its ways.

In Acts 20:4 he is found gaining further experience in company with Sopater

of Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, and

Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

Timothy remained true to Paul through the epoch-making days of Acts 28

and passed into the glorious fellowship of the Mystery, not only as a member

of the Body of Christ, but as one upon whom was conferred the signal honours

of the charge of a church such as that at Ephesus, and succession to the

great apostle in carrying forward the ministry of the gospel and the Mystery.