Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. —1 Timothy 4:12

Timothy was Paul’s protégé. He was a native of Lystra who was probably converted through the ministry of Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:8–22) when Paul visited Lystra on both forward and return legs. Timothy was a spiritual son of Paul, being part of the spiritual harvest of his evangelistic ministry.

By the time Paul went on his second missionary journey and visited Lystra again a few years later, Timothy had matured as a disciple and demonstrated potential for ministry. He was well-spoken of by the believers in Lystra. Paul was so impressed with Timothy that he recruited him into his missionary team. Thus, Timothy became Paul’s co-worker from this point in the second missionary journey (Acts 16:3).

Timothy accompanied Paul to various places in Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Achaia. He was with Paul in Ephesus for more than two years; sent to Corinth to deliver Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians and on other similar assignments, reflecting his status as Paul’s trusted representative; with Paul in Macedonia when 2 Corinthians was written; in Corinth when Romans was written; with Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome, where he wrote the Prison Epistles (Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon); and sent by Paul to Ephesus to deal with challenges of false teachers and the appointment of suitable leaders in the church (1 Timothy 1:3).

Though Timothy became a leader in the early church, he had some temperamental weaknesses. He was timid, not forceful like Paul, and this might have been seen as a weakness by stronger personalities in church. Paul had to advise him not to let others look down on him (1 Timothy 4:12). Some have suggested that Timothy was an introvert —both a blessing and a bane for Christian leaders. In Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Church, pastor Adam McHughs shared how introverts are often misunderstood in churches dominated by extroverts. Timothy also suffered from “frequent illnesses” and stomach ailments and Paul, with fatherly concern, advised him to drink a little wine for medicinal value. Timothy was a man who needed much encouragement and we can be sure that Paul would have spent time encouraging the younger man and advising him as a father would to a son, during their time together.

Consider this:

• Paul is reputed to have a choleric personality—forceful, decisive, and resilient. Timothy had a more sensitive, retiring and shy personality. Which of the two do you identify with more?
• Reflect on those who may be different from you. How do you respond to them? How can our personality be a strength or weakness, and how can it be consecrated to the Lord for His glory?

Excerpt and adapted from Faithful to the End by Robert Solomon. © 2014 by Robert Solomon. Used by permission of Discovery House. All rights reserved.