II Timothy 1:2-3 “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;”
For the weary warrior, the skies of life have begun to redden as the shadows lengthen and night approaches. There is far more to consider about the past than to contemplate about the future. While this was not the first time he had been a guest of Rome, it would be his last for the conformation of death had found a lodging place within his being. It is during these times that the superficial and trivial impulses of carnality give way to the sure foundation of the eternal! The only thing that must be more certain than his final words is his final wants; he has but one opportunity to get it right. Of those wants, one that rises to the surface like cream in fresh milk, is companionship; “Greatly desiring to see thee . . . that I may be filled with joy” (II Timothy 1:4). While he had not been totally abandoned by humanity, companionship was limited and there was a solitary face that he longed to see before his eyes closed in death.
The aged apostle didn’t lack for acquaintances. Having crisscrossed much of the known world, he made contact with occupants of palaces and prisons allowing him to commune with men of rags and royalty. Yet, the intense craving that would satisfy his soul and sweeten his spirit was the physical view of a lone figure, the one of “remembrance”; “Timothy, my dearly beloved”, one not soon forgotten!
While their bond had been formed in the spiritual family, “my dearly beloved son”; it had been fueled by a special friendship similar to that of Jonathan and David. In reading the final correspondence of a saintly old warrior to a young comrade, subtle truths that define the reality of true friendship rise to the surface making their presence known. There are two foundational truths that manifest themselves, one in the opening chapter and one in the final chapter. In II Timothy 1:3-6, Paul emphasizes that a mark of true friendship is when “You remember more about the person than you do about their performance.” Public performances may draw a crowd, but it doesn’t constitute friendship. In spite of the fact that Jesus drew a crowd for His miracles; the nearer He got to the cross the thinner the ranks until only His friends remained; “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go” (John 6:67-68)? The thoughts of his friend caused Paul to be mindful of Timothy’s tenderness, “being mindful of thy tears.” Tears are the fertilizer of compassion; “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:6). Timothy had not allowed the uncertainties of time and the callous spirit of others to choke and hinder the flow of compassion.
Paul thought of his friend’s transparency, “the unfeigned faith that is in thee.” This is seen in the word “unfeigned.” It means not to pretend. Originally it meant inexperienced in the art of acting and later in the New Testament, it came to mean genuine. Timothy is the real deal; he is going to be the same every time you see him. There are no underlying tributaries polluted with greed, malice, pride or the spirit of indifference to poison the refreshing waters of friendship.
Paul was mindful of his friend’s testimony, “I am persuaded.” The word “persuaded” means to prevail in assuring and making confident so as to cause one to be free of doubt. The elderly saint had seen a vast assortment of humanity; those that contribute and those that combat the faith. It is only when the lips and life are in harmony that the melodious melody of faith is heard with ear and seen with the eye! Having sufficient opportunity to scrutinize the public and private elements of his life; Paul declares, “I am confident that Timothy dwells in faith and faith dwells in Timothy.
In II Timothy 4:9-11 & 21, Paul emphasized that a mark of true friendship is when “Their presence means more than their possessions.” While Paul would ask for the cloke and books; that were the personal possessions Paul had been forced to leave behind, it was the companionship of a friend that was most needed! While Paul reminds himself of the faithfulness of the Ever-Present God, “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (vs.17), being “a man subject to like passions as we” (James 5:17); Paul longed for the physical presence of a friend. The presence of his friend would rejuvenate commitment in a fellow servant as he struggles in the work, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed.” The fervency of faith had yielded to the desires of the flesh; the work was hindered and the hands weakened as a trusted comrade returned to the world.
The presence of his friend would revive courage in a fellow soldier as he is smitten in the war; “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil.” Christianity had been declared an outlaw religion and Rome had declared war on its message and its members. While the fierceness of the foe would shackle his liberties, the face of a friend would strength his legs so that he might “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
The presence of his friend would render consolation to a fellow saint as he surrendered to the way and made his crossing, “the Lord . . . will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (vs.18). Paul was not only in agreement with the Sovereign’s promise, but to the saint’s parting; “Amen”, So Be It! Paul longed to close his eyes looking at a good friend only to open them to see his “Dearest and Best Friend.”
The true worth of friendship is in the person and their presence; “and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).