Daily EncouragementSample

Timothy is the kind of person to send on a mission of encouragement. He is a brother you will miss - Paul uses strong language about being left in Athens (verse 1). Timothy is someone who has experience of working with others and, above all, knows what it is to work with the Lord himself - he is “God’s fellow-worker.”

Timothy’s most effective method of strengthening those to whom he goes will be to encourage them in their faith. For faith is fundamental - “throughout the New Testament,” says Leon Morris, “the characteristic mark of the Christian is his faith - his dependence on Christ alone for all things. Naturally and unobtrusively Christians are referred to simply as believers.” Paul knew that the enemy goes for the Christian’s faith - “I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you” (verse 5). The best news about any Christian is news about his faith. The chief joy of the apostle was to receive “good news about your faith and love” (verse 6).

Timothy will not be promising the believers an easy time. Trials, he will remind them, are part of their Christian destiny. And he will do so without embarrassment, for the faith of the apostles and their delegates is not a faith free from trials, but a faith which triumphs over them.