Paul’S Example
PAUL’S EXAMPLE
2 TIMOTHY 3:10-13
Paul’s life was an example in his teaching, way of life and the suffering and persecution he experienced.
One of the interesting features of Paul’s letters is the way he so confidently appeals to his own example. He can call the Thessalonians to witness “how holy and righteous and blameless was our behavior to you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:10), and he can even say, “you became imitators of us and of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). The whole thrust of his letters is such that he cannot have meant that he was without any sin. He is too insistent on universal sinfulness for that. But he knew very well that believers do not commend the gospel they preach unless their lives agree with their words. Paul was wholehearted in his living out of the faith. He had given himself unreservedly to the service of Jesus Christ and he knew that he had done so. Therefore he could and did point people to his own example. In the very different circumstances under which we live we cannot use the same language about our own lives. And in any case few of us would claim that our lives meet Paul’s standard. But unless we are living in such a way that if people did follow our example they would be brought closer to Christ we cannot expect to commend the gospel. The importance of upright living cannot be overestimated.
All this lies behind this section of Paul’s letter. He knows that Timothy has observed his teachings and his life. He singles out his aim, his faith, patience, love and steadfastness, before coming to persecutions. It is perhaps worth pointing out that the mention of love is specially frequent in Paul’s writings. We usually think of John as the apostle of love, but Paul uses the noun more than anyone else (75 times out of its 116 New Testament occurrences). Paul is such a controversial figure that we sometimes see him as a brave and persistent fighter, but overlook the fact that he is gripped with the importance of love.
Nor did this come from a sheltered existence, for he had to struggle with tremendous difficulties. So he goes on to encourage Timothy in his troubles by pointing out that he himself had been through bitter persecutions and God had delivered him from them all (3:11). He goes on to make the extremely important point that this is the common lot of Christians (3:12). We must not expect that in an age like ours we shall escape. If our commitment to Christ is wholehearted, we must expect persecution of some kind.
Notes 3:11: Antioch, Iconium and Lystra were all places Paul visited early in his ministry. Was he turning Timothy’s attention to what had first attracted him to Paul? 3:12: “desire”—the word denotes an effort of will.