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The indwelling faith in Timothy is paralleled in Paul's epistles by the indwelling God
(II Cor. 6: 16), the indwelling Spirit (Rom. 8: 11; II Tim. 1: 14) and the indwelling
Word of Christ (Col. 3: 16). The illustration of a building is often used by the Apostle to
express the inner characteristics of the Truth of God. There was no doubt whatsoever of
the reality and genuineness of Timothy's faith.
There occurs a threefold reference to `remembrance' in chapter 1: and we shall find
the number three stamped on this epistle as it was on Ephesians. Paul now reminds
Timothy that he needed no new gift for his Christian service but rather a re-kindling of
that already received. We need not be disturbed because the young man was asked to
stir up a gift that was given him during the Acts period. Some of the Pentecostal gifts
were basic to faithful ministry and so were beyond dispensational limitations. The
Apostle does not describe this gift, so it is useless to try to guess what it was, but it was
evidently as needful to Timothy at this juncture as when it was first given. The word is
used of re-kindling the dying embers of a fire. Something needed reviving in Timothy's
experience, hence the exhortation. The times had become difficult and dangerous indeed.
Paul's young son in the faith could not afford to neglect any source of strength. As we
look around today, we are in a similar position. Let us lean hard upon the Lord's strength
and the greatness of all His promises that can never fail.
No.2.
1: 7 - 11.
pp. 49 - 54
After exhorting Timothy to stir up that had been given him at the outset of his
ministry, Paul reminds him that "God has not given us the spirit of fearfulness, but of
power and love and discipline" (II Tim. 1: 7 R.V.). Deilia `fearfulness' means shrinking
to the point of cowardice and here the Apostle is delicately reminding his sensitive son in
the faith of the need of being brave and not playing the coward, however difficult and
dangerous were the times. For this the almighty resurrection power of Christ was at his
disposal to make him more than sufficient, together with the love of God that `passes
understanding', both of these leading to self-control and practical prudence which would
be invaluable in the outworking of the `good deposit' of truth.
Now comes a threefold reference to being ashamed (R.V.):
"Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner" (8).
"I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher. For the which cause I
suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed" (11, 12).
"Onesiphorus . . . . . oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain" (16).
We need not assume that Timothy had already shown symptoms of shame, but Paul is
evidently seeking to strengthen his mind should the temptation arise. The Apostle was
now living for the most part in loneliness and rejection. Imprisonment for the truth