2 Timothy 1:5 Living Faith

2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

This fascinating statement begins with Paul recalling Timothy's sincere faith, faith that was not hypocritical like that of some others. Timothy's story is a little buried in the New Testament but this verse, with others, suggests that Timothy's mother and grandmother, though not his father, were sincere believers, though under the old covenant at first. Presumably when Paul came to Derbe and preached the women were confirmed in their faith and young Timothy also believed and was circumcised when Paul decided to take him along on his journeys. Here Paul talks of this sincere faith having been housed first in Timothy's grandmother Lois then in his mother Eunice and now it was living in Timothy, Paul was persuaded. Each in turn gave a home to faith, which is ultimately God's gift. To have a mother or grandmother who has made a home for faith is an inestimable blessing. They cannot pass on their faith in any simple way but when you have seen what faith does in a person at close quarters it is a great privilege and makes you receptive to the idea of trusting in Christ for yourself. In ministry we need to seek to expose people to those who have made house room for faith.

2 Timothy 1:3 Constantly Remembering

2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Early in this second letter to Timothy, as in other letters, Paul gives thanks to God, although with a different word to the usual one. "I have gratitude" he says. He refers to God as the God he serves, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience. This backward glance is probably in preparation for his reference to the sincere faith in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. Indeed, it is the reminder of this that prompts his thankfulness. We do not know how far Paul had to go back to find godly ancestors but he was descended from Abraham and Jacob and Benjamin. How far back his clear conscience goes is debatable too. Paul is conscious, however, of God's grace down the ages to him, as well as to Timothy. He is thankful to God for this as night and day he constantly remembers Timothy in his prayers. The prayer life of the apostle must have been something to behold. It included not only whole churches but many individuals too. He always remembered those he wanted to pray for. What an example he is to busy pastors to find time to pray and not to forget others.

2 Timothy 1:6 Fanning Embers

2 Timothy 1:6 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.

After a brief introduction, Paul begins his second letter to Timothy by giving thanks for Timothy, who he regularly remembers in prayer. He longs to see Timothy again and remembers his tears and his sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. It is in the light of these things then - his own love for Timothy and the godly heritage that belongs to Timothy - that he gives the exhortation he gives, which is for Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. When Paul laid hands on Timothy at his ordination it was not simply a symbolic act. As an apostle he was able to impart the gift of God, the gift to be a minister. Timothy now had that gift from God. He also had a responsibility, however, to fan into flame that gift. When a fire is burning it can begin to burn low and be in danger of going out. Fire lives on oxygen and so one obvious way to get the flame to rise again is to fan it. In a similar way, ministerial gifts can begin to fade if the minister is not careful to fan it into flame by giving it the oxygen of his prayers and his efforts. The work of fanning into flame is chiefly a private work but its effects are seen far and wide.