Written with Hope 1 Timothy 3:14

Thus far in the letter written to Timothy his “son in the faith”, Paul the apostle gave instructions concerning prayer, women, bishops and deacons. In chapter three and verse fourteen of his letter, Paul shares one of the reasons he wrote these words as he hoped to see Timothy soon where we read:

These things write I unto you, hoping to come unto you shortly:

The verse begins, “These things write I unto you,...” We know Paul wrote to Timothy because he was to be the pastor and overseer of the church in Ephesus. That is the perspective at large as far as Paul knew, however, on a personal note Paul wrote, “These things” or “these words” “write I” which means “to express with written characters and compose” “unto” which means “to the advantage of, towards and in regard” “you” which refers directly to Timothy. Paul desired for Timothy to know the words he wrote were straightly directed to him.

The verse continues, “...hoping to come unto you shortly:” Paul goes on to add why he wrote the words, “hoping” or “waiting with joy and full confidence” “to come” which literally means “to appear” and figuratively means “to find place, establish and influence” “unto you” which again means “to the advantage of Timothy” “shortly” or “sooner, more swiftly or quickly”. Paul's primary desire was to give Timothy instructions concerning the church in Ephesus, however, he also desired to be with Timothy as well.

As we think through these words of Paul, we can perceive the human side of him as well as the spiritual side. He desired for Timothy to know how to conduct the church at Ephesus, yet Paul longed to see him as well. Though Paul “hoped” to be with Timothy, we can sense that there is a little doubt that he might be able to do so. We too might have those in our lives who mean so much to us that we desire to see them. Perhaps we have trained someone in the faith, and we desire to visit them and find our how they are doing. Maybe we know of a work in the Kingdom of God that is being conducted in our absence and we would like to be alongside of them in the work they do. One thing is for sure, we can be there “spiritually” through prayer, and whether the people we care for like Paul cared for Timothy are near or far, we can always pray for them. May the Lord Jesus teach us that though we are far from people physically, He has given us a way to reach them spiritually every day.

Next time Paul shares what is to happen if he “tarries long”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.