In his well-known book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, Dr. Robert E. Coleman writes, “Building men and women is not that easy.  It requires constant personal attention, much like a father gives to his children…children are not raised by proxy.  The example of Jesus would teach us that it can be done only by persons staying close to those who they seek to lead.”^[1] Although this post is regarding Paul and Timothy, the approach of Jesus with the disciples is also apparent between these two men.  Jesus and Paul remind us that there is no replacement for proximity in mentoring relationships. Paul spoke to Timothy as a son and stayed close to him as a good Father. He trained him up to be a godly leader who would one day mentor others in a similar fashion.

It was not only the language Paul employs in his letters to describe his relationship with Timothy that is significant, but it is also the time he spent with him over the course of their entire relationship.  There are several examples of how Paul shared his life and ministry alongside of Timothy in the book of Acts and the Pauline Epistles. The first two are observed in the missionary journeys of Paul. A summary and chronology of these is given by I. Marshall in his Acts of the ApostleCommentary.  He writes, “The missionary activity of Paul in Acts is divided up into three missionary ‘journeys’ (Acts 13–14; 15:36–18:17; 18:18–20:38) with the Jerusalem ‘council’ coming between the first and the second of these.”^[2] The second and third missionary journey expand on Paul and Timothy’s mentoring relationship.  In these we see the beginning of their relationship and the growth of Timothy under Paul’s training. 

In Acts 16:4-18:22, Paul invites Timothy to join him and prepares him for service through circumcision and invites Timothy to join him on his second (Acts 16:4-18:22) missionary journey from AD 49-52 and later on his third (Acts 18:23-23:17) from AD 52-57.^[3]  The importance of Paul as a constant available presence to Timothy during the second and third missionary journeys is a vital component of his mentoring.  In his book, The Contemplative Pastor, Eugene Peterson frames his definition of spiritual mentoring by emphasizing this quality of proximity. He writes, “Spiritual mentoring is the practice of walking alongside another in their spiritual journey, offering guidance through presence, listening, and sharing wisdom from one’s own experience of God, with the aim of deepening the mentee’s intimacy with the divine.”^[4] The application of this definition can be observed in each of the missionary journeys of Paul with Timothy. 

The Second Missionary Journey

The second missionary journey, which lasted for three years, results in the founding of churches in Philippi, Berea, Thessalonica, and Corinth.  Additionally, the Thessalonian letter was written by Paul during this time.^[5] In this letter Paul commends Timothy to the Thessalonians with a language that demonstrates his confidence in Timothy and his growth as a leader.  1 Thessalonians 3:2 says, “Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith.” The term “brother” was a term indicates Paul’s attitude toward Timothy as a fellow believer in Christ.  However, the terms “God’s co-worker” points to Timothy’s maturing as a leader.  In The New American Commentary on 1, 2 Thessalonians, Martin D. Michael comments on this latter term. He writes, “The phrase seems to convey a high status to Timothy, approaching equality with Paul.^[6]

During the second missionary journey Timothy spent time with Paul observing and participating in guided ministry.  He was with Paul to experience Lydia’s conversion (Acts 16:11-15), Paul and Silas’ imprisonment and miraculous release (Acts 16:16-24), the conversion of the Philippian Jailer and his household (Acts 16:25-40), Paul’s teaching in the synagogue of the Jews and the riot that followed in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9), the eager reception of the Word and Timothy’s service opportunity at Berea (Acts 17:10-15).  There is another point of confidence and growth in Acts 17:14. During this time, Paul moved on from Berea to Athens.  However, verse 14 says, “but Silas and Timothy remained there.” Paul is rejoined by Silas and Timothy from Macedonia in Corinth in Acts 18:1-17.  In Corinth, Timothy observes Paul being opposed in Acts 18:5 as he testifies “to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.” He also was with Paul to see Crispus, his entire household, and many other Corinthians receive Jesus and become baptized (Acts 18:8).  Timothy sees Paul’s reception and rejection in several ministry contexts.  He also serves with him and away from him in several cities.  

The Third Missionary Journey

During Paul’s third missionary journey, recorded in Acts 18:23-23:17, Timothy continues to train under Paul and is a constant companion of him.  Timothy is with Paul to hear him proclaim the Gospel in the synagogue for three months to some who were resistant (Acts 19:1-10).  As in the second missionary journey, Paul sends Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia to continue strengthening churches (Acts 19:22). This assignment, referenced in I Cor. 16:10, indicates Paul’s growing trust in Timothy to serve on his behalf.  Paul writes in I Cor. 16:10 that Timothy is to be received by the Corinthian church because he is “doing the work of the Lord, as I am.”  In Acts 20, he rejoins Paul, and he is witness to the raising of Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:7-12).  Timothy was with Paul during the gathering of the Elders of Ephesus in Miletus.  There Paul gave encouragement and instruction, which would have benefited Timothy as a future leader in the church of Ephesus (Acts 20:19-37).  The message Paul shares with them, including Timothy, would be of great benefit as they led the church of Ephesus.  Charles Talbert summarizes his message to these leaders. He writes:  

The Ephesian elders are called upon to do three things in this speech: (1) they are to feed the church (v. 28); (2) they are to be alert to the dangers threatening the church (vv. 29–31); and (3) they are not to be greedy for gain (vv. 33–35). In all three areas, Paul is set up as an example: (1) Paul says three times that he did not shrink from declaring to them the word of God (vv. 20, 27, 31); (2) the farewell speech as a whole represents Paul’s alertness to the dangers to come (vv. 29–30); and (3) Paul says he coveted no one’s wealth (v. 33).^[7]

It is also during this third missionary that Timothy travels with Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1-16) and experiences Paul’s arrest (Acts 21:27) and his defense of the Gospel testimony in front of the Roman tribunal.  In this third missionary journey Timothy is an again both observer and participant in Gospel ministry. He observes Paul’s teaching and way of life as he teaches and responds to persecution.  

Consider the impact of nearness in mentoring.  You cannot raise children by proxy, neither can you make disciples at a distance.  Mentoring is an invitation to draw near to receive wisdom and guidance in a personal way.  

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^[1] Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism (Grand Rapids: Revel Publishing) 1993), 46. 

^[2] I. Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2003), 93.

^[3] Robert W. Yarbrough, “Paul the Apostle,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, electronic ed., Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), 591.

^[4] Eugene H. Peterson, The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005), 85–89.

^[5] Robert W. Yarbrough, “Paul the Apostle,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, 591.

^[6] D. Michael Martin, 1, 2 Thessalonians, vol. 33, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 101.

^[7] Charles H. Talbert, Reading Acts : A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, Rev. ed., Reading the New Testament Series (Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 2005), 183.