A Heritage of Faith
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Key Verse: “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” Selected Scripture: |
THE APOSTLE PAUL’S SECOND letter to his beloved Timothy is believed to be the last of his writings prior to his death in Rome. Knowing this, Paul opens his letter with a heartfelt acknowledgement of Timothy’s heritage. The Key Verse indicates that Timothy’s faith was rooted both in his mother and grandmother. Paul realized that their faithfulness, not only to the Truth in their own personal lives, but also in supplying it through word and example to future generations, was especially commendable and pleasing to the Heavenly Father. It is evident that both Lois and Eunice, Timothy’s grandmother and mother, shared the same sentiments as expressed later by the Apostle John, when he stated, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in Truth.”—III John 4
The faith that Paul saw in Lois and Eunice he recognized, as stated in the last part of the Key Verse, to be evident in Timothy also. For this reason, and because he realized that his own Christian walk was nearly finished, Paul took the opportunity in this, his final letter, to admonish young Timothy of things needful for the continuance of the spread of the Gospel message in its simplicity and purity. He first reminded Timothy everything that was to be accomplished in the Lord’s service would be done, not through human power or ability, but through the Holy Spirit. He told Timothy that this Spirit was not one of slavish fear toward God, but was the Spirit “of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”—II Tim. 1:7
The Apostle Paul continued his letter to Timothy by telling him not to be “ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,” even though this would cause trials and afflictions (vs. 8), stating that all this was “according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (vs. 9) The central theme of this purpose was that, through Jesus, death would eventually be abolished, and life and immortality would be brought to light—made to be understood, as well as available—through the Gospel. In verse ten of this lesson, the Apostle Paul says that these things had now been “made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Through his death as a ransom price and his subsequent resurrection by the mighty power of God, all mankind will have the opportunity for everlasting life, either in the heavenly (“immortality” of verse ten), or earthly (“life” of verse ten) phase of Christ’s kingdom.
This lesson concludes with the Apostle Paul stating that these beautiful truths are the reasons for which he was glad to suffer affliction, having confidence that God was fully able to keep the promises of his word concerning his plan of salvation. (vs. 12) Paul admonished Timothy to keep these precious truths at the forefront of his heart and mind, saying, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us.”—vss. 13,14