2 Timothy 1:6, (I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands,) is the key statement in the whole letter. That charge given to Timothy by Paul is the window through which we should read this whole book. Everything Paul says, from this point on, has to do with Timothy kindling afresh or stirring into flame the Gift of God within him. The lessons Paul is teaching Timothy will help us to keep God’s gift burning brightly, also.
It’s interesting that Paul addresses 4 problems that Timothy has. He also gives 4 solutions and each of the solutions has to do with the Word of God.
The first problem Paul pointed out for Timothy to deal with was himself.
Timothy had to get past his own feelings of inadequacy. Think about it. The first thing we observe about Timothy’s dad was probably not a believer. If he had been a believer, Paul would have mentioned it. Instead, Paul gives praise to Timothy’s mom and grandmother. He had no one, In his growing up years, Timothy had no believing father to lead the way for him.
In fact, it is entirely possible that Timothy’s dad had made fun of his mom’s faith. Might that ridicule what prompted Paul to encourage Timothy, “Don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord?”
Carrying this line of thought further, is it possible that Timothy’s dad had responded to Eunice’s friend, Paul, as “that Christian jailbird?” Prompting Paul to challenge Timothy not to be ashamed of Paul himself? (2 Timothy 1:8 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner.) Is it possible that in all that, Timothy was reluctant to take on the name of Christian because of the personal suffering and humiliation that could possibly go along with it?
You see, the first problem Timothy had to face in order to keep the flame alive was himself – his doubts, fears, and inadequacies, because of all the things he had missed in his formative years. But Paul meets him head on with the message of the Gospel. In verses 9 & 10, and then in verse 12 Paul affirms that even though he is in prison he trusts that God will not abandon him or allow him to walk away from the faith. “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day" – the day that Jesus returns.
Timothy, don’t be ashamed of telling people you are a Christian, don’t be ashamed of telling people you are my friend and student, and don’t be ashamed of taking the same kind of suffering on yourself.
Problem # 1, personal Inadequacy opens the door for solution # 1: Let the Word MARK you.
To go along with the first problem, Paul points Timothy to the first solution that has to do with the Word of God. Verse 13 says, “Hold fast the standard of sound words which you have heard from me.”
Once again, there is a wealth of gold to be mined out of just one word – standard. Some translations use the word “pattern,” or “outline.” And in English all those are pretty pail words. A standard or pattern is something to go by – an outline is a simple, shallow, expression of something much more profound and detailed. For example, when you “outline” a book of the Bible, you aren’t giving the whole thing – just a few of the major points.
But here the word “standard,” “pattern” or “outline” is a metal worker’s word. It describes the impression left when a piece of metal is struck with a hammer or some kind of etching tool. It also describes the imprint left when the face is struck with a fist – or even a fist wearing a heavy signet ring.
So what Paul tells Timothy is this, “Timothy, in order to get past your own issues – in order to get past your shame – in order to get past your fears – in order to get past your own feelings of inadequacy and failure, you need to remember the impact that came to you when I taught you the Word of God. You need to remember the marks that were left on your spirit when the Word of God was taught to you.”
And that is the same thing that will help us get past our feelings of inferiority – our fears – our inadequacies – our failures. Any time we have thoughts of backing down – any time we feel like we don’t want to pay the price – any time we sense shame welling up inside because of something an unbeliever says or does – we must remember the mark that has been left on our spirits by sound Bible teaching and hang on to it!
Sound Bible teaching will mark us and make it possible for us to face your own fears and inadequacies.
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