10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.” (2 Timothy 3:10–11 (ESV)
What happens to us when leaders fail? Leaders, be they personal acquaintances or people we know only through their ministries and occupations, are persons of influence. They may have a good influence or a bad influence, but their impact is unquestionable. But what happens to us when our mentor’s fail?
Today’s featured text should not provide us a mistaken perspective of the Apostle Paul. He was not a perfect man prior to his conversion to Christ and it would be wrong of us presume he was errorless following his conversion. He made mistakes, like all of us.
However, it was not the perfection of his life he wanted Timothy to remember, but rather the overall direction of his life. For Paul, what was most important was not only to leave a legacy but also to live a legacy. Remember, Paul was facing certain, and soon, execution. These were perhaps the last words he would communicate to his beloved son in the faith. He wanted Timothy to follow his example.
What examples did Paul have in mind for his young protégé to follow? The apostle listed nine particular areas of his life and ministry. What Paul listed, while not exhaustive, was extensive. It was wide-ranging, all-embracing, and far-reaching.
My teaching (μου διδασκαλία; mou didaskalia). This refers to the Apostle Paul’s instruction. It was when he was imparting knowledge and skill from God’s Word.
My conduct (τῇ ἀγωγῇ; te agoge) was Paul’s manner and way of life and living. It was how he acted and controlled himself.
My aim in life (τῇ προθέσει; te prothesei) referring to the apostle’s purpose, plan and personal goal in serving the Lord.
My faith (τῇ πίστει; te pistei) was Paul’s knowledge, agreement, trust, commitment, dependence and worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. His faith involved not only his mind, but also his emotions and will.
My patience (τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ; te makrothymia) refers to longsuffering and endurance of pain or unhappiness.
My love (τῇ ἀγάπῃ; te agape) was Paul’s self-sacrificial love of the will, emotion and knowledge. The apostle understood love, felt love and demonstrated love.
My steadfastness (τῇ ὑπομονῇ; te hypomone) refers to patient endurance and perseverance. It is the power of God within the believer to withstand hardship or stress. It is God supplied inner fortitude necessary for endurance.
My persecutions (τοῖς διωγμοῖς; tois diogmois) was the apostle’s acquaintance with people pursuing him to destroy him or to make him renunciate the Gospel.
My sufferings (tois παθήμασιν; tois pathemasin) means great suffering and stress due to adversity.
Timothy witnessed these particular life experiences while Paul served in Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. Paul particularly had in mind the persecutions he encountered and endured. He concluded with the affirmation, “… yet from them all the Lord rescued me.”
“Persecution is from a Greek verb that lit. means “to put to flight.” Paul had been forced to flee from Damascus (Acts 9:23–25), Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:50), Iconium (Acts 14:6), Thessalonica (Acts 17:10), and Berea (Acts 17:14). Antioch . . . Iconium . . . Lystra. As a native of Lystra (Acts 16:1), Timothy vividly recalled the persecution Paul faced in those three cities. the Lord rescued me. Cf. 2 Tim. 4:17–18; Ps. 34:4, 6, 19; 37:40; 91:2–6, 14; Isa. 41:10; 43:2; Dan. 3:17; Acts 26:16–17; 2 Cor. 1:10. The Lord’s repeated deliverance of Paul should have encouraged Timothy in the face of persecution by those at Ephesus who opposed the gospel,” states Dr. John MacArthur.
Is this the kind of legacy you are living before your family? What legacy will be utmost on their minds when you die? If Paul’s nine characteristics of legacy living fits you, praise the Lord. It if doesn’t, repent and resolve today to press on to greater godliness.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
