Well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium, Paul desired that the young disciple travel with him and therefore had him circumcised to accommodate Jews they would seek to evangelize. This began a long relationship of service together in the work of the Lord, in which Timothy served Paul as a son would serve his father (Philippians 2:19-24)

2 Timothy Paul is recalling Timothy’s tears Paul’s action demonstrated a protection as a father would a son.

Such service included:

1. Traveling with Paul
2. Remaining with new congregations when Paul had to leave suddenly (Acts 17:13-14)
3. Going back to encourage such congregations (1st Thessalonians 3:1-3)
4. Serving as Paul’s personally emissary (1st Corinthians 16:10-11; Philippians 2:19-24)

Timothy had the honor of joining Paul in the salutations of several epistles written by Paul (2nd Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1st Thessalonians 1:1; 2nd Thessalonians 1:1), and from such epistles we learn that Timothy had been with Paul during his imprisonment at Rome.

Such faithful service helps us to appreciate why Paul would leave him in Ephesus (1st Timothy 1:3)

Key Verses

1st Timothy 3:14-15
"These things I write to you, though I hope to come to your shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."