A Son In The Faith

A Son in the Faith

Q: Whom did Paul refer to as his son in the faith?

• a. Silas
• b. Timothy
• c. Titus

Several people traveled with Paul at different times on his three missionary journeys. Timothy, a young man, joined Paul and Silas on their second missionary journey. Timothy was raised in the Jewish faith by his mother and grandmother. He had a love for God and probably became a follower of Jesus after Paul’s first missionary journey to Lystra, where Timothy lived. By the time Paul visited again, Timothy had grown in his faith and was ready to join the missionary team.

Sometimes Timothy traveled with Paul. Other times Paul left Timothy to continue work in a city while he journeyed on, or he sent Timothy to take care of a need in a different city. Paul could trust Timothy to be responsible in doing God’s work. Paul and Timothy always had a close relationship, and Paul loved Timothy like a son. Paul said, “I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News” (Philippians 2:20-22).

Because Paul thought of Timothy as a son, he wrote two letters to him giving him encouragement and instruction. They are the books of 1 and 2 Timothy in the New Testament.

For You

Timothy was someone who could be counted on. Paul was able to trust him to carry out God’s work in places or at times that Paul couldn’t. Do others think of you as dependable and responsible? If not, what can you do to change that?

Answer: b

I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.   1 Timothy 1:2

(The Whole Story: 1 Timothy 1:1-2)