Chuck Larsen

Some commentators focus on Paul’s letter to Timothy as a primary exhortation to stay strong in the faith and to withstand the persecution he is facing in Ephesus. Some of them read as if Paul is afraid that Timothy might be in danger of losing his faith. I don’t see it that way at all. I think Paul has unshakable confidence in his young disciple. Paul tells Timothy how certain he is of Timothy’s faith. In 2 Timothy 1:5, the focus is on certainty, not doubt. He says, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” Paul does not doubt Timothy’s sincerity or his faith. He’s confident that Timothy will hold firm to the convictions that have been planted in his heart through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul told Timothy that he was praying for him. He knew Timothy was facing severe trials, and Paul prayed that God would strengthen him as he lived through those trials. Paul then affirmed his confidence that Timothy would persevere. Paul called Timothy’s faith “sincere.” The Greek word used here is the one from which we get “hypocrite.” But the word is prefixed with a negative preposition. It would be “non-hypocritical.” Timothy’s faith had no hypocrisy in it! Hughes explains, “Their faith was genuine. It penetrated their hearts and wills so that everything was touched by it—their fears and hopes and loves and desires and joys and compassions and zeal. They were the genuine article. And such faith had come to characterize Timothy as well. This was not a case of eugenics (good breeding). Rather, he had seen faith in them, then he came to Christ, and then his life demonstrated the same genuineness.”^[1]

Just as Timothy’s mother and grandmother stood firm in their faith, Paul was sure that Timothy’s faith would not falter also. There’s something to say about a good heritage. Matt Proctor tells us about Teddy Roosevelt and his son, who followed closely in his footsteps. In 1898, Teddy resigned from his role as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy to join the Calvary. Teddy said, “I want to explain to my children someday why I did take part in the war, not why I didn’t.” Teddy was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for leading the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill. In 1944, at 57 years of age, Teddy Roosevelt Junior led his troops in the landing at Normandy. Proctor recalls, “At first, his superiors had denied his request to go: ‘You’re 57 years old. No other general is going ashore with the first wave of troops.’ But he insisted, ‘It will steady the men to know I’m with them.’ After his third request, they finally agreed. So that June morning, Teddy Jr. strapped on his boots and led the charge up the beach under fierce German gunfire and on to victory. For his courage, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor … just like his father. The leadership of each generation is the legacy they leave to the next.^[2] In his letter, Paul referred to Timothy as his “beloved son.” Paul was in a Roman prison for the last time and writing one of his very last letters before being beheaded for his faith around 64 AD. According to early Church History, in the year 97 AD, Timothy was an 80-year-old Bishop in Ephesus. He tried to halt a procession in honor of the goddess Diana by preaching the Gospel. The angry pagans beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to death. Although we suspect that Timothy’s father was a Pagan, we know that his mother and grandmother raised Timothy in the faith. Paul, serving as Timothy’s spiritual father, set an example for Timothy of sincere faith.

^[1] Hughes, R. Kent, and Bryan Chapell. 2000. 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit. Preaching the Word. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

^[2] Proctor, Matt. 2009. 2 Timothy: Finish-Line Faith. 3:16 Bible Commentary Series. Joplin, MO: CP Publishing.

 After spending significant emphasis on the need to preach the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, Paul needs to clarify the purpose of the law. Jesus said he did not come to “destroy the law” but fulfill it. The law is perfectly holy and righteous, and it took a perfectly holy and righteous person to fulfill it all. Jesus fulfilled it for the sake of sinners who had no hope of fulfilling it alone. That Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf does not destroy the law. It points out the explicit purpose of the law. Paul addresses the purpose of the law in 1 Timothy 1:8-11, “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.”

The law is for sinners, not for the righteous. On the walls of an inner-city bus station is a sign that says, “Do not spit on the floor.” This law is proclaimed prominent for all to see because people spit on the floor. If you look around, you will see spit on the floor. At a large metropolitan airport, there are no signs on the wall against spitting on the floor. Yet, there is no spit on the floor. There’s no need for a law against spitting on the floor when no one spits on the floor. Just because there is no sign on the walls against spitting on the floor is never used as an excuse to spit on the floor. Everyone understands that it’s wrong to spit on the floor. “No spitting on the floor” is a good law, but some people still spit on the floor. The law is for spitters. It is designed to restrain sin. Ryken says, “God uses his law to restrain sin in human society. The commandments of the law, with their accusation of guilt and threat of punishment, discourage people from sinning against God. The law does not keep people from sinning entirely, of course, because it cannot change our sinful nature. But to a certain extent, the law does serve to restrain our sin.”^[1]

When you study the law as the Old Testament prescribes, you will see that violations contain prescribed penalties. Without consequences for sin, society will break down. We are seeing this happen in our country today. The American Cornerstone Group reported, “Crime has become the new pandemic. Sweeping across America, seemingly unstoppable, random, and unprovoked attacks with no rhyme or reason are stoking fear among the masses.”[2] Most recent studies show that lack of consequences and even lack of prosecution always result in more criminal behavior. The Cornerstone Group says, “The problem is the lack of penalty or enforcement against criminals. Under the false guise of sentencing reform and equity, District Attorneys are refusing to properly charge arrested criminals. Dumping them back on the streets, often less than 24 hours after they committed a violent crime.” The police are fed up with this problem and are discouraged from making arrests knowing that the criminal will be back on the streets by dinner time. Further, “The criminals know that there is no penalty for their actions, there is no disincentive to committing crimes, so they only go bigger and bolder. Unfortunately, there is no law and order in America anymore.” As Paul tells us, one of the major purposes of the Law is to restrain criminals and protect innocent victims. The Cornerstone Group sees only one obvious solution to our problem: “The solution is to elect District Attorneys who are willing to prosecute criminals under the fullest extent of the law as well as provide police with the resources, funding, and faith so they can fully execute their mission.”

^[1] Ryken, Philip Graham, and R. Kent Hughes. 2005. Exodus: Saved for God’s Glory. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

[2] https://americancornerstone.org/why-is-there-a-surge-in-violent-crime-across-america