Thou Man of God, Timothy

Though timothy was young, he had experience in missionary work because he worked with Paul (Acts 16:3, 17:15, et, al). Among others like Titus (Titus 1:5), Paul gave Timothy the charge to put things in order in the church (1 Timothy 1:3). Timothy was not only known as a leader by the church at Ephesus but also at Corinth. Paul recommended him saying he was “… doing the work of the Lord, as I am” (1 Corinthian 16:10) and that the church was to make his stay with them comfortable (1 Corinthians 16:11). Paul knew Timothy’s weaknesses but he never gave up on him in spite of them. Instead, he encouraged the young leader even in the presence of others and told them not to despise him. You see, ‘Ministry is the calling of an inadequate man to an impossible task for an indefinite period of time’ (from seminar handouts). 

Paul knew the magnitude of what was required in ministry and he knew how inadequate he was for every task the Lord set before him. He said it was only through God’s enablement that he was able to do so much (2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 2 Corinthians 4:7). He knew it was not because of his style of preaching, his wisdom or oratory skills that people were transformed when he taught; “and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Paul rested in the power, ability and wisdom of God and he desired Timothy to do the same. Knowing this, he took time to pen two letters to Timothy with the second one while he was incarcerated.  He referred to Timothy as a man of God. “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:11, KJV).  

This is not how a teacher or a master would address his student or servant especially this day and age. Should it not be Timothy who calls Paul “man of God”? Yes, Paul was a man of God just as the Bible tells us of men of God like Moses, Elijah, Isaiah and many others. But when we come to the New Testament, we see a broader use of that word implied to ordinary believers (see 1 Peter 1:9-10). 

A profile of Timothy

1. He was quite an emotional guy; “As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy” (2 Tim 1:4). Does an emotional man fit the profile of one you would call “man of God?”

2. His faith was real; “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 Tim 1:5)

3. He was timid and fearful; “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 Tim 1:6-7). Paul had to constantly remind Timothy not to be fearful and know that God has got it for him.

4. He was kind of a reluctant and ashamed person; “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (1 Timothy 1:8-10). He was not the kind of leader who meets our standard of courage and boldness required in most skills sets.

In spite of the above strengths and weaknesses that young Timothy had, Paul continued to encourage him to take courage in God and to be the man of God, God wanted him to be. He had to be God's man in his generation. To be a man of God refers to one who is wholly committed to God, one who is always about the Father’s business. Unlike Demas who was once a fellow worker with Paul but ended up loving earthly treasures and pleasures (2 Timothy 4:10), Timothy fully devoted himself to the work of God, imitated and followed Paul. He followed his teaching, conduct, way of life, faith patience, love steadfastness, and even his persecutions and sufferings (2 Timothy 3:10). 

A man of God is one who like David was after God’s own heart. It means he was God’s possession and God’s alone. Peter tells us that we are God’s possession; “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Paul was a man of God but he also called himself a slave of God (Romans 1:1, Galatians 1:10) and in Philippians 1:1, he calls both Timothy and himself servants or slaves of Jesus. As a servant the man of God is a servant of righteousness not sin. There is treasure to be followed and treasure not to follow and a man of God must know God’s treasures and follow them.

Among others, a man of God is a vessel of the Lord and every vessel must be clean and separated to God alone. Paul saw Timothy as a vessel of God and desired to sharpen him so that he would be a workman who need not to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). As a man of God, you must have clean hands, heart, head, and feet. Be a vessel of honor. Be the vessel that God will use in His right time, in this generation. Cleanse yourself therefore from every besetting or clinging sin and be single-minded. 

Treasures to follow… There are treasures that a man of God should follow: “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness”. Remember, you cannot serve God and mammon at the same time. If you do, you will make shipwreck of your faith. “By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme”. (1 Tim 1:19).

 

Treasures to flee from … “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica…”. (2 Tim 4:10). I do not know what was in that city but it definitely had to do with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes or the pride of life (1 John 2:16). 

Treasure to fight for … Fight the good fight of faith wherever the Lord has placed you. Flee not only corruption but the corrupting affections of the heart. Fight the root of sin. 

 

A. Do you fly out of your country to another to seek a “man of God”? Are there no men of God where you live?

B. Do you visit other churches to see the “man of God”? Do you not have men of God in your church?

C. Do you see other people as the “men of God?” Are you not a man of God yourself? Remember Elijah was a man just like us. 

Finally, one commentary said “The man of God” feels that duty, principle, righteousness, are of first importance. The “man of the world” puts expediency before him; the “man of God” has principle for his guide. The “man of God” says, “It is not necessary for me to live, but it is necessary that the women and children should get out of danger before me.” The “man of the world” always pushes himself first, because he is a “man of the world”; the “man of God” first lifts up others, because he is a “man of God”. 

Be God’s man, “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep…” (Acts 13:36).

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About The Author:

Pastor Sam Machacka is co-founder of Brink Ministries Southern Africa. A wonderful colleague and good friend. Equipping Pastors and Church leaders in Southern Africa. He grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe with his beautiful wife Mildred and they are blessed with three lovely children namely Samantha, Munashe and Joshua but they are now serving as missionaries in Malawi since August 2018

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