Life Of Timothy (Part 5 of 0)

Ye Know The Proof Of Him – Part 5

Introduction

During the years immediately after his conversion, Timothy followed Paul’s example and conducted his own, local “missionary work.” He made trips to the nearby, embattled ecclesia in Iconium, and he also helped the members of his ecclesia with the tribulations they had to endure. Doing that kind of work is how Timothy wanted to use his energy and spend his time. He must have been excited, therefore, when Paul returned to Lystra, Timothy’s hometown, and invited him to join him on the Second Missionary Journey.

Timothy traveled with Paul and Silas to Philippi. Their initial preaching efforts there were successful. However, Acts 16 records that the people of Philippi had a violent reaction to one of Paul’s miracles. A mob formed, and the rulers of the city commanded Paul and Silas to be beaten and cast into prison. “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them” (Acts 16:22).

The day Paul and Silas were attacked and the night they spent in prison must have been hard for the new members of the ecclesia in Philippi to endure. At the time, they did not have the perspective that comes with hindsight. They did not know that the events that had transpired would ultimately lead to the conversion of the city’s jailer and his family.

The Philippian Ecclesia

All the members of the Philippian ecclesia knew is what they had seen and heard. A violent anti-Christian mob had convulsed their city, and their wonderful teachers, who they had come to know and love, had been abused and imprisoned. Some in the ecclesia would probably have been fearful because of what had taken place. What would happen to Paul and Silas, to them, and to their families the next day and in the coming weeks and months? Others in the meeting might have been disheartened and questioned the ways and/or the power of God. Why would He allow such terrible things to happen?

The believers in Philippi probably gathered together. That is how first-century ecclesias often responded when tumultuous events occurred.1

Acts 16 does not indicate where Timothy was or what he did during that difficult time. But the Epistle to the Philippians, which Paul wrote years later, provides insight. It states: “But 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 I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for 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 the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me” (Phil 2: 19-23).

Paul described Timothy as “naturally” caring for the Philippians (verse 20). (The English Standard Version renders the phrase as “be genuinely concerned.”) It is hard to imagine, therefore, that Timothy could have been anywhere else but with the members of the ecclesia during that great time of need.2

Timothy’s command of the Scriptures and his years in Lystra and Iconium had certainly provided him with the wisdom and experience needed to relate to what the Philippians were going through. He had felt what they were feeling, and he had had a godly response to it. Some of those moments in his past that had seemed so painful — like the time that Paul was stoned in his city — would have revealed their great value if he drew upon them in speaking to the Philippians, offering them encouragement, assuring them, showing them genuine care, and providing them with perspective on what had happened.

In his Epistle, Paul also reminded the Philippians that they knew “the proof” of Timothy (verse 22). The Greek word rendered “proof” means “trial.”3The English Standard Version translates the phrase as “you know Timothy’s proven worth.” The Philippian believers had evidently seen Timothy remain steadfast during difficult times. That could be a reference to his response to the attack on Paul and Silas.

Timothy among the Philippians

Timothy’s steadfastness during trial must have been a source of encouragement to the ecclesia in Philippi. That is probably why Paul made reference to it when he wrote to them. It is a reminder to us that our faithful behavior during difficult times can help and strengthen the people around us who are watching us and how we respond.

There is also more that we can learn about Timothy from what Paul wrote than just how he might have responded to the attack on Paul and Silas. If we consider what Paul said about him within the context of his overall message, we can get a glimpse of Timothy throughout his time in Philippi. Paul’s words reveal what a wonderful example Timothy’s character had been to the ecclesia while he had been with them.

Phil 2 shows that Timothy had developed many of the characteristics Paul wanted the believers in Philippi to have. For example, Paul wanted the Philippians to be of one mind in service to God together with him: “Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Phil 2: 2). Like-mindedness was a characteristic Timothy displayed when he had been among them. “For I have no man like minded,” wrote the Apostle about him in verse 20 of the same chapter.4

Paul wanted the Philippians to develop the same unity of mind he and Timothy had.

Unity of mind is made possible when we are not focused on ourselves and the pursuit of our individual wants. Paul wanted the Philippians to be mindful of the needs of others and to serve one another: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil 2: 3-4). That is exactly what Timothy had done when he had been among them: “For I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for 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 the father, he hath served with me in the gospel” (Phil 2: 20-22). Instead of looking out for himself, Timothy had cared for the Philippians and elevated their needs, knowing that they belonged to Christ.

Phil 2 contains some well-known language about the Lord Jesus, which tends to come up in first-principles discussions: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Phil 2: 5-7). The point Paul was trying to make in this passage was that even though the Lord had an exalted status, he had humbled himself and given himself to serving others. Several verses later, Paul noted that Timothy had followed in the Lord’s footsteps and had also given himself to service: “But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel” (Phil 2: 22).

Timothy was a great asset to the preaching work in Philippi. He did more than just speak about the principles of the Gospel. He demonstrated them in the way he lived his life.

Godly behavior can be very influential. Paul exhorted the Philippians by recalling how Timothy had conducted himself when he had been among them. Paul’s message was not, “Remember Timothy’s words and what he taught in his classes.” It was, “Remember how Timothy acted and do likewise.” That emphasis is a compelling reminder that we should live our lives so that our behavior demonstrates our beliefs and offers encouragement in godliness to those around us. As the life of Timothy illustrates, a godly example can have a tremendous impact by showing the principles of the Gospel in meaningful and memorable ways.

  1. See, for example, John 20:19 and Acts 12:12.
  2. Shane Kings bury has some excellent thoughts on what the attack on Paul and Silas would have meant for Timothy and how he responded in S. Kings bury. Teenagers of the Bible: Growing Examples of Godliness. (Findon, South Australia: Logos), pages 427-429.
  3. The Greek word is Strong’s Number G1382. The definition is from J.H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. e-Sword 9.9.0.
  4. The Greek word is Strong’s Number G2473. It is Thayer defines it as “equal in soul.” J.H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. e-Sword 9.9.0.