Paul reminded Timothy that he knew all about Paul since going along on his missionary journeys and had seen how Paul lived a transparent and exemplary life of faith and godliness. Timothy would be able to discern how the characteristics of Paul’s life were in stark contrast with the characteristics of the terrible people of the last days.
Paul’s teaching. Unlike the dangerous teachings of the false teachers, Paul’s teaching was faithful to Scripture and the gospel, and reflected sound doctrine that would build up God’s people. Paul’s teaching was open for examination, as the people of Berea did (Acts 17:11). The early church decided from the earliest of times that Paul’s teaching in his epistles was not only sound but had apostolic authority and the scriptural quality to be added to the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16).
Paul’s way of life. If Paul’s life and ministry were summarised on a life map, it would show integrity and faithfulness to God. The directions of his life, the choices he made, the relationships he focused on, the way he spent his time and life’s opportunities, and his priorities into which he poured his energy and passion would all show that he was a godly man, in contrast to those whose terrible lifestyles were described as characteristic of the last days.
Paul’s purpose in life. Timothy observed at close range what made Paul tick. How did he respond to the challenges of life? What choices did he make in life? What was the driving force that motivated him? We can discern some of these in the very words of Paul. In his salutation at the beginning of several of his epistles, Paul identified himself in the following way: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1). In reference to Christ, Paul declared, “So we make it our goal to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:9). What this entails was spelt out in his exhortation to the Colossians: “That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:10–11).
Paul’s faith. Paul’s faith was evident in the way he trusted Christ as he lived out his obedience to his Lord. He was a resilient servant of the Lord who was convinced that come what may, he should bring glory to God by being faithful to Him. He lived out his own exhortation to his fellow believers: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Paul was convinced that Christ would keep safe what he had entrusted to the Lord (2 Timothy 1:12).
Paul’s patience. Paul was confronted and opposed by the enemies of the gospel—men less spiritual than himself. Yet he exercised great patience with them. There were times when he patiently explained to them the gospel message even when they were shouting to drown his voice (Acts 21:40). He advised Timothy to have the same kind of patience when dealing with those who were misleading or being misled in church (2 Timothy 2:24–26). His patience not only reflected the character of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23); it also reflected the hope that somehow one’s opponents may eventually be saved.
Paul’s love. Paul described love as patient, kind, and that it is not envious, proud, boastful, rude, or self-seeking. It is neither easily provoked to anger, nor bear grudges, nor delight in evil; instead it rejoices over truth and always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. As a result, love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4–8). Paul tells us in Romans 5:5 that “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us”. This love in the believer’s heart becomes the love for God and for others, which aligns exactly with what Jesus talked about in His summary of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:37–40).
Paul’s endurance. Most people would have given up if they had to go through what Paul endured for the gospel. Paul underwent severe persecution and nearly lost his life on a number of occasions. In a poignant manner, Paul recalled some of these difficult moments in his life: “To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly” (1 Corinthians 4:11–13). Paul was aware that it was God who enabled believers to have such endurance in the face of setbacks and extremely difficult circumstances (Romans 15:5). And Timothy was an eye-witness of Paul’s supernatural endurance in Christ.
Paul’s persecutions and sufferings. Paul mentioned the sufferings he had to go through in his first missionary journey. He mentioned in particular the events that happened in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:50), Iconium (14:5), and Lystra (vv. 19–20). Such tenacity and endurance in the face of violent suffering must have left a deep impression on young Timothy. Now he was reminded by the aged apostle to remember the “persecutions I endured” (2 Timothy 3:11).
Instead of complaining that God was “unkind” to him, Paul readily offers thanks to God when recollecting his many sufferings and hardships: “Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them” (v. 11). While reflecting deeply about all the pain he had to endure, he wrote: “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3–4). Christian character helps one to endure suffering, and this in turn deepens Christian character.
Consider this:
Review how Paul’s life is different from the life of the false teachers and the terrible people of the world (2 Timothy 3:10–11). Go through the list and examine your own life to see which of the characteristics you are modelling. Which of the areas are lacking in your life? Bring your reflections in prayer to the Lord. Discuss how the church can teach Christians to pay attention to these areas of Christian discipleship.
Excerpted and adapted from Faithful to the End: A Preacher’s Exposition of 2 Timothy by Robert M. Solomon. ©2014 by Robert M. Solomon. Used by permission of Discovery House Publishers. All rights reserved.
Related Resources:
Living an Authentic Christian Life. What does it mean to live a real Christian life? Gain a better understanding of the unmistakable qualities of Christianity from Paul’s experiences as a follower of Jesus. Discover how you can live in total dependence on God and truly display His glory to others. Find out more here.
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