Life Of Timothy (Part 8 of 0)

“I Besought Thee To Abide Still At Ephesus” – Part 8

Timothy remains in Ephesus

There is compelling Biblical evidence that Paul left Ephesus during the three years he was based in that city to visit Macedonia and Corinth.1While he was away, he left Timothy behind to help guide the ecclesia at Ephesus. Paul wrote 1st Timothy while he was traveling to give instruction and encouragement to Timothy.

1st Timothy offers insight into Timothy’s life. It reveals he had doubts, fears, in­securities, and knew there were limits to his natural abilities. It shows people in his meeting did not always agree with him. It indicates he made mistakes he had to recover from and move beyond.

Timothy struggled to lead the ecclesia in Ephesus while Paul was away, and it appears he made some poor decisions even though his previous leadership and conduct in Philippi and Thessalonica had been exemplary. This episode in his life reminds us we may encounter circumstances that will challenge us spiritually even if we have done well with recent trials.

If do we find ourselves struggling, especially after we have had a period of relative spiritual strength, we should not become overly discouraged and succumb to the temptation to give up. (Note that Timothy was not given the option of fleeing to Philippi or Thessalonica — where he was liked — during this period.) Timothy’s struggles in Ephesus — and his response to them — are a reminder that we can get a handle on difficult circumstances, deal with them faithfully, and grow spiritually as a result of them.

1st Timothy provides guidance on how to respond to adversity by following Timothy’s example. It reveals Timothy remained humble during trials. He was teachable and willing to receive advice from Paul. He was also determined to follow God even when it was hard.

Timothy’s situation in Ephesus is a reminder that our trials alone do not determine who we become. Our response to them matters more.

Problems in Ephesus

The opening of 1st Timothy indicates that Timothy did not want to stay behind in Ephesus. He wanted to travel with Paul instead. Paul wrote: “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1Tim 1:3). A number of translations render “besought” in 1Tim 1:3 as “begged.”2Paul had to beg Timothy to stay behind in Ephesus. But even though he had to be urged, Timothy ultimately did agree to Paul’s request. He stayed behind in Ephesus and assumed leadership responsibilities. It is an example of Timothy subordinating his own wants — and fears — to the work of the Truth.

Timothy’s reasons for not wanting to stay behind in Ephesus are indicated by the content of the Epistle. Serious doctrinal problems were beginning to emerge in the ecclesia. Some in the meeting were advocating Greek philosophy (1 Tim 6:20). Others were corrupting the faith with Jewish traditions and fables, which were probably similar to those of the Talmud (1 Tim 1:4,7).3Still others had reverted to a superstitious belief in devils and spirits (1 Tim 4:1).

Lifestyle problems were also arising. Sisters were trying to usurp the role of breth­ren in the ecclesia (1 Tim 2:11-15), and the wrong kind of men were trying to lead (1 Tim 3:1-13). Some of the rich were looking down on the poor (1Tim 6:17), and some of the poor were seeking to be rich even at the expense of the Truth (1 Tim 6:5-10). Meanwhile, others were content to live in idleness and be supported by the ecclesia (1 Tim 5:3-16). Paul had already had to withdraw from some people in the meeting, including Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Tim 1:19-20). Alexander subsequently caused serious problems for Timothy and Paul for many years (Acts 19: 33, 2 Tim 4:14).

Imagine if you had an opportunity to move to a new city and you found out that its ecclesia was experiencing what is described in 1st Timothy (e.g., “doctrines of devils”). Would you want to go? Circumstances in Ephesus were tremendously challenging, and Timothy had to try to lead the brothers and sisters and improve the situation. Judging by the the Epistle, it seems Timothy struggled to rise to the task of leadership. He faced a number of obstacles. Timothy was young, probably about 26. He was sickly (1 Tim 5:23). He was also naturally timid (2 Tim 1:6-7).

The ecclesia in Ephesus was deteriorating around Timothy. Part of the problem appears to be that Timothy was reluctant to confront some people who had gone astray. Paul had to remind him that he had an obligation to do so: “These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim 4:11-12). It seems that when Timothy mustered the courage to address a problem he sometimes overcompensated for his quiet nature and was unduly harsh in the way he handled the situation.4Paul told him: “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren” (1Tim 5:1). The Greek word rendered “rebuke” is a strong word. Thayer defines it as “to strike upon” or “beat upon.”5Paul reminded Timothy to be mindful of his tone and approach when offering words of correction.6Instead of being overly forceful, Paul told Timothy to “intreat” those in the meeting.

The Greek word rendered “intreat” in 1Tim 5 is used throughout the New Testament for giving an exhortation.7Paul’s guidance to Timothy suggests, therefore, that we should strive to use the same tone and approach in offering words of correction in private that we would use in an exhortation. We would not, for ex­ample, raise our voice, glare, or point our finger at a person from the podium, so we should not do those things in a private conversation either. Instead, we should make an appeal and reason from the Scriptures when speaking to a person who has strayed, just as we would when speaking from the platform.

Timothy wanted to do right

Timothy’s problems in Ephesus were not with his intentions. He wanted to do right, but he was allowing himself to be hindered by his natural disadvantages. He was conscious of them and tried to compensate for them. He turned to exercise, for example: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Tim 4:8). Perhaps he thought exercising would make him healthier, enhance his physical presence, and give him more confidence.

He also might have attempted to curry favor by showing partiality to certain groups in the meeting perhaps to win their support: “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another,doing nothing by partiality” (1 Tim 5:21).8

Timothy was trying to guide the brothers and sisters in Ephesus who had strayed back to the Truth. Paul directed him to use a more spiritual approach than the strategies he had been pursuing. He encouraged Timothy to make himself an example of godliness: “This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith” (1 Tim 1:18-19, ESV).

Paul sought to re-direct his “own son in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2). Timothy had been given the role that he had because of his faith and conduct, so Paul wanted him to better himself by investing in his spiritual development. He wrote: “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness” (1 Tim 4:7). The Greek word rendered “exercise” is used for vigorous training, like the preparations of an athlete for a contest.9Developing godliness was not to be a haphazard activity for Timothy. Paul wanted Timothy to push himself and to bear through the difficulties, and the pain, so that he would become spiritually stronger.

We should all give careful heed to Paul’s advice to Timothy because it runs so contrary to our natural inclinations. As the Bible makes clear time and again, God does not value the same characteristics people instinctively do. He does not care about our personal appeal or our natural abilities. His interest is in our commitment to Him. It was through his personal spiritual development that Timothy could help his entire ecclesia. That is where our focus should be and where we should concentrate our efforts to improve ourselves.

Paul did not really provide Timothy with explicit guidance on how to argue against the false teachings emerging in the ecclesia in the Epistle. Instead, Paul encouraged Timothy to focus on positive instruction and to cultivate godliness in his life so that he would be an example to the ecclesia. He wrote: “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim 4:12-13). Paul wanted Timothy to help guide the ecclesia through his godly example — both in the formal activities of the meeting, as well as in the ordinary, daily activities of life.

The guidance Paul gave to Timothy has broad application to us. It can help change and improve our lives, and the lives of others, even if we are not in a formal leadership position in an ecclesia (as he was) or even if we are not leading anyone other than ourselves. Regardless of our position, we should focus on our spiritual development. To the extent that we do lead — through service on the Arranging Board, as Sunday school teachers, as parents or grandparents, or in any of a vari­ety of other roles — we should seek to do so through positive instruction and by setting a godly example. That is what Paul advised Timothy to do.

The effect of Timothy’s conduct on the Ephesians’ embrace of the Gospel was of the highest importance. That is why Paul emphasized it again and again in his Epistle: “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim 3:14-15, NKJV).

Paul expected Timothy to continue to grow spiritually: “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1 Tim 4:15, ESV). Notice the word “progress.” Timothy was not to remain stagnant. The same is true for us. The status quo is not an option. Like us, Timothy’s continued spiritual development was critical. It would not only help him; but it would also help his brothers and sisters in the ecclesia as well: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim 4:16, ESV).

Timothy continued to grow spiritually even as the work he was called on to do became more challenging. We will consider his continued service in Ephesus and through the rest of the Third Missionary Journey in the next article in the series.

  1.  R. Mutter. 2013. The Ecclesia at Ephesus: A Holy Temple in the Lord. pages 45-46.
  2. The Weymouth New Testament and the Darby Bible Translation render the word as “begged.” The NIV, ESV, and NASB render the word as “urged.”
  3. Titus 1:14 refers to “the fables” as Jewish fables.
  4. T. Benson. “A Study in the Life of Timothy (6) In Charge at Ephesus.” The Testimony, 1970, page 60.
  5. The Greek word is epiplesso. It is Strong’s Number G1969. The definition is from J.H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. See A. Nicholls. 1991. Letters to Timothy and Titus, page 144.
  6.  The ecclesia at Ephesus may have had some explosive personalities in it. There are multiple warnings against anger and wrath in the ecclesia. See, for example, “without wrath” in 1Tim 2:8 and “Be ye angry, and sin not” in Eph 4:26. A. Nicholls. 1991. Letters to Timothy and Titus, page 68.
  7. The Greek word is parakaleo. It is Strong’s Number G3870. See, for example, its use in Luke 3:18, Acts 2:40; 11:23; 14:22; 15:32; 20:2, Romans 12:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:11; 4:1; and 5:14. See A. Nicholls. 1991. Letters to Timothy and Titus. page 146.
  8. See T. Benson. “A Study in the Life of Timothy (6) In Charge at Ephesus.” The Testimony, 1970, page 60. It is also possible that Timothy entertained spurious accusations by some in the ecclesia against other members, perhaps to try and gain their approval or support: Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses (1 Tim 5:19).
  9. It is Strong’s Number G1128. The definition is from J.H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. e-Sword 9.9.0. See D. Smith. “Be Thou an Example of the Believers.” The Testimony, 1991, page 315.