Mothers’ Day 5/9/21
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction
And do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” Proverbs 1:8 (NASB)
Introduction – The typical characteristics of a New Testament “epistle” or letter (1:1-4) 1. From – Paul, the 13th apostle who was “untimely born” (v.1; cf. 1 Cor. 15:6-9)
- To – Timothy, Paul’s spiritual son in the faith (v.2a)
- Paul’s characteristic three-fold salutation (v.2b)
a. Grace – God giving to us what we do NOT deserve(v.2b1)
b. Mercy – God withholding from us what we DO deserve (v.2b2) c. Peace—calm, undisturbed; by implication welfare (v.2b3) - Paul’s comments on his special relationship to Timothy (1:3-4)
a. The importance of a “clear conscience” for those who would serve Christ (v.3a) b. The importance of prayer in any spiritual relationship (v.3b)
c. Paul’s “longing” to see Timothy indicative of special bond between them (v.4)
I. Paul acknowledges the significant role of Timothy’s mother and grandmother (1:5) A. Paul is “mindful” of the sincerity and depth of Timothy’s “inherited” faith (v.5a) B. Paul is convinced that Timothy is a true believer like his mother… (v.5b)
II. Significance of Timothy’s spiritual foundation for renewing the “gift of God” (1:6) A. The reason for Paul’s “reminder” to “rekindle” his spiritual gift (v.6a)
B. Even a strong, sincere faith needs to be refreshed from time to time (v.6b)
C. Timothy’s pastoral spiritual gifts affirmed by Paul through ordination (v.6c)
III. The three-fold result of “the gift of God” in Timothy’s life (1:7)
A. What God has NOT given Timothy – and us – “a spirit of timidity” (v.7a) B. What God HAS given Timothy – and us! (v.7b) - Power – dunamis God’s miraculous power and strength (v.7b1)
- Love – agapê God’s unconditional, eternal choice to love (v.7b2)
- Discipline – sôphronismos the ability to exercise self-control (v.7b3)
Key Verse(s) *Timothy’s mother and grandmother laid the foundation for his faith 2 Timothy 1:5 (NASB) *Saving faith must first of all be sincere to be real
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grand- mother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”
2 Timothy 1:6 (NASB) *Paul is speaking of revitalizing Timothy’s pastoral calling
“For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” *Timothy was ordained by Paul in presence of elders (1 Tim. 4:14)
2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB) *Timothy – like all of us – needed a reminder to be bolder “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
“My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother.” Proverbs 6:20 (NASB)
2 Timothy 1:1-7 “A Mother’s Heart and Hope”
“As one whom his mother comforts,
so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:13 (NASB)
Key x-References– Timothy’s firm spiritual foundation was evident in his life
2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NASB) *Timothy grew up nurtured by the Word of God
“You [Timothy], however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 4:11-12 (NASB) *Timothy was one of the first 2nd generation Christians “Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”
Acts 16:1-3 (NASB) *Sound even though Timothy’s parents were “unequally yoked” “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.”
1 Corinthians 4:17 (NASB) *Timothy was Paul’s spiritual son in the Lord
“For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach every- where in every church.”
1 Timothy 4:13-15 (NASB) *His ordination by Paul and exhortation to “grow in faith” “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.”
1 Timothy 1:2 (NAS) *Paul possibly led Timothy to the Lord, building on foundation “To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God…”
1 Thessalonians 3:2 (NAS) *Timothy was not just Paul’s co-laborer, but also God’s “…and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith…”
Key Terms (most words have a ‘field of meaning’ —> various translations) “mother” (Gen. 2:24) Hebrew #517 (220x), NASB; em; a mother:– infancy* (1),
mother (145), mother’s (67), mothers (5), mothers’ (1), parting (1)
“mother” (2 Tim. 2:5) Greek #3384 (84x), NASB mêtêr; mother:– mother (75), mother’s (7), mothers (2)
“Listen to your father who begot you,
And do not despise your mother when she is old… Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her rejoice who gave birth to you.” Proverbs 23:22,25 (NASB)