“Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me” (2 Timothy 3:10-11).
In the passage above, Paul wrote to Timothy about how the young evangelist had followed the apostle’s example in various ways. It is important that we follow examples, in particular, the ones who are worthy of emulation. Paul told the brethren in Philippi, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (Philippians 3:17). When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, he was mindful of the fact that he needed to set an example for them. He wrote, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
What about us? Are we setting the example that we need to set before others? This was not just something for an apostle like Paul to do. Timothy was told to follow Paul’s example, yet he was also to “show [himself] an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12). He learned from Paul, and he was to conduct himself in such a way that others could learn from him as well. The same is true for us. We need to set a good example for others, which includes following the example that Paul set for Timothy.
When Paul wrote to Timothy about following his example, he mentioned nine ways in which he set an example. Let us notice each of these to see what we can learn from Paul and how we might be able to follow his lead and show the same type of example to those around us.
- Paul’s Teaching – “Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:16-17). Paul had a consistent message, teaching the same thing everywhere he went. Furthermore, as Timothy followed Paul’s example, he would also be teaching the same thing. Our message must not change based upon what people want to hear; instead, we must simply “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2-5).
- Paul’s Conduct – “For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you” (2 Corinthians 1:12). He lived a holy and godly life, while also maintaining a good conscience. As he said in this verse, this was not according to worldly wisdom. In the same way, our conduct must be in harmony with the word of God. We must “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed” according to the will of God (Romans 12:2).
- Paul’s Purpose – “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Colossians 1:28-29). His purpose was to lead people to Christ. This was why he did what he did despite the difficulties that he faced. Considering this more broadly, our purpose is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This would include teaching others, but also extends to following the will of God in every area of our lives.
- Paul’s Faith – “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). Paul was convinced that the Lord would protect him and reward him in the end despite his sufferings. Our faith should allow us to look past any present difficulties and focus on the reward God has promised us. Paul told the brethren in Corinth that we are to “look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). We have to look past this life to our hope of eternity.
- Paul’s Patience – “If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:11-12). Paul was not treated fairly by the brethren in Corinth. He labored among them but received no monetary support from them, even though other apostles were supported for their efforts (1 Corinthians 9:3-6). Furthermore, God’s plan was for those who devote their lives to proclaiming the gospel to “get their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). Yet Paul patiently endured this unfair treatment so that he would not hinder the work that was being done – by him and others – in the cause of Christ. In the same way, we are to exhibit patience in order to maintain our unity with one another (cf. Ephesians 4:2-3).
- Paul’s Love – “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8). He was willing to give his life for his brethren. This attitude of putting others ahead of oneself is the basic Biblical definition of love. This love should lead us to “regard one another as more important than [ourselves]” and to “look out for…the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
- Paul’s Perseverance – “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14). He knew he had not yet reached the promised reward, so he continued to press on to the goal. No matter where we are or how far we have come, we must remain faithful, even “until death” (Revelation 2:10).
- Paul’s Persecutions – “And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, ‘This is what the Holy Spirit says: “In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”’ When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’” (Acts 21:11-13). Paul was warned about going to Jerusalem because of the persecution he would experience there. Yet he was willing to face death if it was necessary. For us, we should not be surprised when we are persecuted (1 Peter 4:12). Instead, we are to “glorify God” as we “[suffer] as a Christian” (1 Peter 4:16).
- Paul’s Sufferings – “Are they servants of Christ? I speak as if insane I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?” (2 Corinthians 11:23-29). This is an incredible list of trials that Paul experienced. He endured more for the gospel than we can imagine – persecution, hardship, discomfort, stress, and more. Yet even if we do not suffer as much as Paul, it is still true that the hardships we face are not pleasant to endure. However, they are ultimately for our good if we faithfully endure through them. James said that the “testing of [our] faith produces endurance,” which leads us to be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4). Our trials can help lead to our spiritual growth and maturity if we maintain a healthy faith and a proper attitude.
Just as Timothy was to follow Paul’s example, we must do the same. Every area of our lives – our teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, and response to persecutions and sufferings – needs to be under the will of Christ. What we have noticed about Paul’s life shows us what this should look like in our lives.
