Timothy was a young Christian from Asia Minor who was born of a Jewish mother and Greek father, and during Paul’s missionary work, he is a noted figure who accompanied and associated Paul in diverse ways.
The 2 letters that Paul wrote to Timothy found it’s way to the Holy Bible and its being used as pastoral epistles alongside the letter that Paul wrote to Titus.
Now for ages, Christians have been caught up in the web of debate as to whether Timothy was an evangelist or Pastor, and this issue is what I am going to address in this religious discourse or sermon.
After providing answers to the question was Timothy an evangelist or pastor?, I will move on to show you the person that trained Timothy and how he advised Timothy to preach the word of God.
After reading this sermon, you will get a full understanding of the role that Timothy played in the early church.
So without any further ado, let’s get started with this article.
Was Timothy an evangelist or pastor?
Timothy was both an evangelist and pastor who helped the apostle Paul to spread the gospel message to several churches and converts during the early spread of the Christian religion.
He was an evangelist because he was given instructions by Paul to deliver the message to some of the churches and people as letters and epistles, and on the other hand he was a pastor because in some of those churches he was to remain for a while and personally teach the believers the word of God.
Now let’s look at an overview of the first and second Timothy to see what makes Timothy an evangelist and pastor.
Overview of Paul’s first letter to Timothy.
Paul’s first letter to Timothy ddeals with three main issues which are:
- The first letter serves as a warning against false teachers who were becoming very predominant in the early church. Their false teachings came from a mixture of Jewish and non-Hewish ideas which was based on the belief that the physical world is evil and for that reason salvation can only be attained by having secret knowledge and practices such as avoiding certain foods and not getting married. 9Read 1 Timothy 1:3-11)
- This second letter of Paul to Timothy also contains instructions on church worship and administration by clearly showing how church leaders and helpers must behave. Timothy was compelled by Paul to remain in those churches as a pastor and deliver these teachings to those who were seeking to be church leaders there. (Read 1 Timothy chapter 2 and 3).
- Thirdly, Paul advises Timothy on how to be a good servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and shoulder the responsibilities that is given to him as a leader of various groups of believers. (Read 1 Timothy chapters 4, 5 and 6)
Overview of Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
Paul’s second letter to Timothy contains mostly personal advice as a young colleague and assistant.
The focus theme in this letter is ‘endurance’ as Paul encourages Timothy to keep on witnessing faithfully for the Lord Jesus Christ, to hold on to the true teachings he was taught in the whole Bible, and to do his duty as an evangelist and pastor, notwithstanding all the sufferings and oppositions he is going to face.
Paul warns Timothy specifically about the handers of getting involved in what he terms as “foolish and ignorant arguments” that does no good, but only ruin those who listen to them.
In all this, Paul makes an example of his own life and purpose- his faith, patience, love, endurance and suffering in all kinds of persecutions.
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:10-15)
Who trained Timothy to preach.
The apostle Paul, who was formerly known as Saul the persecutor of the early Christian church was the one who trained Timothy to preach.
As we have seen so far from the overview of Paul’s first and second letter to Timothy, Timothy was able to succeed as both an evangelist and pastor because of the instructions, which were full of encouraging words of faith and the exemplary life of his mentor, Paul.
I believe Timothy was able to also run his race to the perfect end and receive the crown as Paul advised him in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 thus: For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
How does Paul advice Timothy to preach the word?
In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul advices Timothy to preach the word in season and out of season, to convince, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering and teaching.
This in and out of season must not be taken in it’s literal form alone but also serve to help a an evangelist or pastor to understand that they should preach the word whether the times are right or not, and whether the situations or circumstances seems comfortable or not.
Final thoughts.
I hope yo have now gathered the understanding that Timothy was both an evangelist and pastor, and this sermon will also serve to help us understand that it is possible for one to be an evangelist and pastor at the same time.
