Year 2, Week 50, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 50, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Hebrews 13; 2 Timothy 1.

Today’s reading covers the final chapter of Hebrews. The Book of Hebrews does not indicate its human author, but this important Book exhorts believers to not turn from Christ, even as it is filled with reasons for the surpassing worth of Jesus and His superiority to the Old Covenant. In light of Christ’s surpassing worth and superiority, Hebrews 13 is an exhortation consisting of various Christian duties and obligations: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money” (Hebrews 13:1-5a). But believers are not left unequipped to carry out their responsibilities: “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever” (Hebrews 13:20-21). Today’s reading also covers the opening chapter of 2 Timothy. The Book of 2 Timothy is another personal letter of instruction to one of Paul’s proteges, Timothy: “To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:2). Timothy, who had been sent to the church at Ephesus to assist in the work, received exhortation from Paul, who was at the end of his life, containing how to finish well: “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:12-13).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the personal remarks that Paul expresses to Timothy: “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy” (2 Timothy 1:3-4). Paul’s martyrdom was imminent and his own realization of this reality seems to be reflected in the tone of the letter from the outset. Paul’s mindful of the legacy that he would soon be leaving. Thus, Paul stresses that he served God the way his ancestors did, with a clear conscience and in faithfulness. But with a view to encourage Timothy, Paul observes that the same faith living that he displayed, was also in Timothy, as it was previously in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice: “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” (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy was dear and precious to Paul, who wished he could see Timothy one last time.

But with the likelihood that Paul would not see Timothy again, the content of this personal letter offers much counsel for Timothy to cherish: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:6). Paul reminds Timothy of the moments when he was set apart for the Gospel ministry. Paul is reminiscing about Timothy’s ordination and the “gift” that he received in the context of his ordination. This “gift” involves the ministry task that Timothy was commissioned for as well as the empowerment from the Lord to carry out his task. Paul spoke to Timothy about this “gift” in his previous letter as well: “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14). In this first mention of “gift,” it is more clearly understood to refer to the ministry task put before Timothy to minister the Word: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching…Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 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 Timothy 4:13,15-16). The language of 1 Timothy entails devotion, practice, careful evaluation, and persistence. The language of 2 Timothy, which is probably saying the same thing only from a different vantage point is “fan into flame the gift of God.” Timothy has been given a task and the empowerment to carry out his task, but he must do that which he has already been gifted with a view to grow stronger in the exercise of his “gift.” Ministry tasks are like a muscle that can either strengthen through frequent exertion or atrophy through neglect and disuse.

Paul continues to explain that the “gift” of God given to Timothy in the context of his commissioning to the Gospel ministry, which was given to him by the Holy Spirit, also included the inner inclinations and dispositions needed to persevere. The Spirit infused graces of power, love, and self-control would provide the needed foundation for Timothy to engage and endure the ministry set before him.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe