The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-05

was an extraordinary compliment to the
inexperienced disciple. That Timothy
was willing, under direction of the ap.
ostle, to enter on a service he knew
would be both difficult and periloue.
proves that he had in him holy ambi-
ton and consecrRted spirit.
1t was, as Paul perceived, possible for
Timothy to fulfil special mission in
uniting the vet antagonistic Jewish and
Gentle sects in the church. The Gen.
tiles would see in Timothy fellow-Gen-
tile; the Jews. because of his maternal
inheritance, would see in him fellow.
Jew. But as yet Timothy had not for
mally accepted his Jewish inheritance.
Because of his isolation from syna-
gogue he had never received circumcis
ion, the rite which the Jews regarded as
a condition of their fellowship. 1t was
in accordance with Paul's habit of defer
ence to ineradicable prejudice that he
advised Timothy to be circumcised. The
rite which, as rule, he did not impose
upon Gentle converts, the rite which he
strenuously resisted when it was made
a condition of Christian discipleship, he
recommended as courtesy, an ex
pedient, as an appeal to the Jews in be-
half of the Gospel. Timothy was for
mally ordained to the ministry; his
ordination being accompanied by the
symbolic laying on of hands by Paul.
Timothy became Paul's helpful com
panion in his missionary travels. He &C.
companied him to Macedonia and as far
as Berea; here he remained with Silas
while Paul went on to Athens. He fol-
lowed Paul to Athens; he was sent on
mission to Thessalonica; he was after
wards with Paul at Corinth. He was
Pauls assistant in his third missionary
journey. We find him with the apostle
at Ephesus, from which city he was
sent by him again to Corinth; we
find him afterwards sent by the
apostle to Macedonia; he is PauPs CON-
panion in his journey back to Asia from
Corinth. We find him with his spiritual
father during Paul's first Imprisonment
at Rome. After PauTs deliverance we
find him at Ephesus, where Paul adj
dresses to him his first Epistle, 80 full
of loving counsel in regard to the dan
gerous tendencies in the Ephesian
church. In this letter he expresses the
hope that he may soon visit him at
Ephesus; hope which. however, ap-
pears not to have been fulfilled. We find
Timothy still at Ephesus when. from
Roman prison. during his second incar-
ceration, Paul writes to him a second
Epistle. In this Epistle he expresses his
wonted solicitude in matters of faith; he
expresses undiminished confidence and
affection; he urges him to hasten and
come to him in Rome. 1t is probable,
indeed, fairly certain, that Timothy full
filled this request and was Pauls prison
ministrant till the old hero's life ended
in martyrdom.
This was Timothy; seen at a glance,
pictured in outline.
We have warrant for believing that he
was worthy of Pauls friendship. AL
though we unfortunately have no words
of his to which we can appeal as testi-
mony his acts imply that he was not
wanting in tilial love, in appreciative
comradeship, in reverential love in
grained in his life.
We recall again that this second
Episte to Timothy was written during
Pauis second Imprisonment in Rome. In
his loneliness, when certain profeesed
friends were forsaking him, when some
real friends were compelled to leave him,
when he knew his earthly end was draw
ing near. he longed for the presence of
his spiritual son. He sent Tycacus to
Ephesus, to have oversight of the church
there in Timothy's absence; he entreats
Timothy to make no needless delay in
coming to him. a: 9-1S) These last
written words of Paul, written under
such circumstances are as pathetic as
they are heroic.
Our specimen passages will be fairly
expounded by being reproduced in the
free rendering of Conybeare.
L. Timothy Reminded of his
Spiritual Blessings,-1: 1T.
PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST
BY THE WILL OF GoD-sent forth to
proclaim the promise of the life
which is in Christ Jesus-To TIMo-
THEUs. MY BELOVED Son.
Grace. Mercy, and Peace from God our
Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 thank God (t0hom aoorShip, as did
mig forefdthers, l1ith a pure conscience)
lchenever 1 make mention Of thee, as
do continually in mig prayers night and
dag. And I long to see thee. remember
ing thy parting tears, that might be
filled aoith jog. For / haze been remind
ed of thy undisSembled faith, achtch
dtoelt first in thy grandmother Lois and
thy mother Eunice, and Z am per-
suaded) dtoells IN thee also. Wherefore
1 call thee to remembrance. that thou
n1agest stir up the gift Of God, schich is
az thee by the laying on of mig hands.
For God gaze as not a spirit Of cOloard-
ice, bit spirit of poloer and LoUe and
Selfrestraint.
In the same tone OF exalted affection
and faithful admonition Paul continues