New Testament · New Testament
Timothy
“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.”2 Timothy 1:6
Biography
Timothy was a young leader from Lystra whose mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were Jewish believers; his father was Greek. He joined Paul on his second missionary journey and became Paul's most trusted co-worker and spiritual son. He was sent on difficult assignments — to Corinth, to Thessalonica, to Ephesus — as Paul's personal representative. Paul wrote him two letters, urging him not to be timid, to guard the good deposit, to fan his gift into flame. He was with Paul during his imprisonment. His gentle nature was noted by both Paul and the Philippian church as a contrast to others who sought their own interests.
Spiritual Lesson
Timothy is the patron of those who feel unequal to the task they have been given. He was not naturally bold, and Paul knew it — which is why the letters to Timothy are full of commands to courage rather than commendations for it. The gift was real; the timidity was also real. The call was to fan what was already there. Timothy shows that a natural disposition toward fear does not disqualify a person from being entrusted with difficult work — what matters is whether they will act despite it.