10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra - but the Lord rescued me from all of it.
This entire letter really is written as though Timothy would not see Paul again. It is a closing letter, and a Good bye letter, and a letter to remind Timothy of who he is, who he is becoming, and all that he has learned from Paul.
Paul obviously did a good job at reproducing himself. He reminds Timothy that Timothy knows how he teaches, lives, and what his purpose is. He knows his faith, patience, love and endurance. How would Timothy have known these things, had he not just spent time with Paul. Indeed Paul would have spent much of his time pouring into Timothy, but not stopping his call and mission. Instead Timothy more than likely would have followed Paul like a young apprentice, sharing in all of the experiences of ministry that Paul was able to have, also sharing in the hard times, the times of persecution. And as a result, Timothy, has seen, and experience a solid Godly example, and now is charged to himself lead.
The Cool Part about these letters to Paul is that he never came across to Timothy as though he was nervous for Timothy, or uncertain that he would be able to accomplish the task of ministry. Paul knew that Timothy was gifted and called to preach and lead, and the language he uses with young Timothy is a reflection of that trust.
We need to continually remind ourselves of the fact that we will not be in ministry forever, and in order for such ministry to carry on in our churches, we need to find Timothy's to share the journey with us, and to be intentionally preparing them for the eventual succession of our roles and duties.
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