crowd.”
“What better way for him to outgrow those tendencies than to join us in carrying the message to other cities? He will learn to be bold among strangers.”
A pity Paul had not encouraged John Mark in this way, but I did not mention this. Both young men had similar traits, though Paul seemed determined not to notice. “Timothy might grow even more timid if persecuted.” What Eunice had told me was also heavily on my mind, but I did not know how much to divulge to Paul without causing her embarrassment.
Paul gave me a level look. “He is younger than John Mark, but stronger in faith.”
That sarcasm again. I felt the heat rush into my face, and held my tongue with difficulty. Any time anyone argued with Paul, he engaged his considerable talents at debate. In this case, it would serve no other purpose than to pour salt on old wounds. Both of us would suffer in an argument over John Mark.
A few hours later, Paul said, “Perhaps I am unfair.”
Perhaps? “John Mark made good use of his time in Jerusalem.”
Paul said nothing for a while, but I could see our difference of opinion plagued him. “Persecution will come whether Timothy stays here or goes with us,” he said finally. “He might be safer with us than left behind. Besides, we already have leaders in place here, Silas. Timothy can be of much more use elsewhere.”
I knew I must voice my other concerns. “As fine a young man as he is, Paul, he will cause us nothing but trouble. You were a Pharisee. You know as well as I do that no Jew will listen to him. No matter how fine his reputation here, everywhere else he will be seen as a Gentile because of his father. Timothy is uncircumcised and, therefore, unclean in their eyes. We both agreed we must meet people and speak to them in ways they will understand. How can he go with us? He won’t be allowed in the synagogues! You know as well as I if we try to take him inside with us, there’ll be a riot. The Good News won’t be heard at all with Timothy as our traveling companion. Let him cut his teeth teaching Gentiles here.”
Paul chewed on his lip, eyes narrowed in thought. “I think we should lay the matter before Timothy and see what he says about it.”
Timothy presented the solution. “Circumcise me. Then no one can protest my presence in the synagogue.”
The boy’s courage and willingness to eliminate any obstacles served to gain my full support in taking him with us. Paul made all the arrangements, and a week later, when Timothy’s fever abated and he was well enough to travel, we gathered the church elders from Lystra and Iconium. We all laid hands on Timothy and prayed the Holy Spirit would give him the gift of prophecy and leadership. His mother and grandmother both wept.
I could see how difficult this parting was for the two women. Together, they had raised Timothy to please God, and now they presented him to God as their thanksgiving offering to Jesus Christ. Timothy had been their comfort and joy. Their love of the Lord and the Torah had prepared the way for them all to believe the Good News.
“God will send you where He wills, my son.”
Timothy stood tall. “Tell Father I will continue to pray for him.” His voice choked with emotion.
“As will we.” Eunice laid her hand against his cheek. “Perhaps his love for you will open his heart one day.”
We all hoped. And prayed.
The three of us traveled from town to town. We spent long hours around campfires talking about Jesus. I told Timothy all I knew, amazed that the memories of Jesus’ teachings were so clear—proof that the Holy Spirit refreshed my mind. Paul and I preached whenever and wherever allowed. Timothy did as well, though he would sometimes be so tense and nervous, he would vomit before we approached the synagogue. I saw him sick many times while we worked together in Corinth, and later heard from Paul that even after years in ministry, Timothy still suffered greatly from a nervous stomach. Much of this
“What better way for him to outgrow those tendencies than to join us in carrying the message to other cities? He will learn to be bold among strangers.”
A pity Paul had not encouraged John Mark in this way, but I did not mention this. Both young men had similar traits, though Paul seemed determined not to notice. “Timothy might grow even more timid if persecuted.” What Eunice had told me was also heavily on my mind, but I did not know how much to divulge to Paul without causing her embarrassment.
Paul gave me a level look. “He is younger than John Mark, but stronger in faith.”
That sarcasm again. I felt the heat rush into my face, and held my tongue with difficulty. Any time anyone argued with Paul, he engaged his considerable talents at debate. In this case, it would serve no other purpose than to pour salt on old wounds. Both of us would suffer in an argument over John Mark.
A few hours later, Paul said, “Perhaps I am unfair.”
Perhaps? “John Mark made good use of his time in Jerusalem.”
Paul said nothing for a while, but I could see our difference of opinion plagued him. “Persecution will come whether Timothy stays here or goes with us,” he said finally. “He might be safer with us than left behind. Besides, we already have leaders in place here, Silas. Timothy can be of much more use elsewhere.”
I knew I must voice my other concerns. “As fine a young man as he is, Paul, he will cause us nothing but trouble. You were a Pharisee. You know as well as I do that no Jew will listen to him. No matter how fine his reputation here, everywhere else he will be seen as a Gentile because of his father. Timothy is uncircumcised and, therefore, unclean in their eyes. We both agreed we must meet people and speak to them in ways they will understand. How can he go with us? He won’t be allowed in the synagogues! You know as well as I if we try to take him inside with us, there’ll be a riot. The Good News won’t be heard at all with Timothy as our traveling companion. Let him cut his teeth teaching Gentiles here.”
Paul chewed on his lip, eyes narrowed in thought. “I think we should lay the matter before Timothy and see what he says about it.”
Timothy presented the solution. “Circumcise me. Then no one can protest my presence in the synagogue.”
The boy’s courage and willingness to eliminate any obstacles served to gain my full support in taking him with us. Paul made all the arrangements, and a week later, when Timothy’s fever abated and he was well enough to travel, we gathered the church elders from Lystra and Iconium. We all laid hands on Timothy and prayed the Holy Spirit would give him the gift of prophecy and leadership. His mother and grandmother both wept.
I could see how difficult this parting was for the two women. Together, they had raised Timothy to please God, and now they presented him to God as their thanksgiving offering to Jesus Christ. Timothy had been their comfort and joy. Their love of the Lord and the Torah had prepared the way for them all to believe the Good News.
“God will send you where He wills, my son.”
Timothy stood tall. “Tell Father I will continue to pray for him.” His voice choked with emotion.
“As will we.” Eunice laid her hand against his cheek. “Perhaps his love for you will open his heart one day.”
We all hoped. And prayed.
The three of us traveled from town to town. We spent long hours around campfires talking about Jesus. I told Timothy all I knew, amazed that the memories of Jesus’ teachings were so clear—proof that the Holy Spirit refreshed my mind. Paul and I preached whenever and wherever allowed. Timothy did as well, though he would sometimes be so tense and nervous, he would vomit before we approached the synagogue. I saw him sick many times while we worked together in Corinth, and later heard from Paul that even after years in ministry, Timothy still suffered greatly from a nervous stomach. Much of this
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