¹You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Spiritual strength is required for God’s work. That strength comes from God. He gives graciously, and we act obediently upon what He provides. That is the partnership. But the spiritual energy He gives does not work like a shot of Red Bull, a drink filled with sugar and caffeine that sends energy waves through our body. Rather, God’s strength must be catalyzed by our obedience to His leading. Notice verse 1 is a command, “Be strong.” We take the initiative and make the effort to do the work, and God enables us to continue in the face of discouragements, desertions, and difficulties of all kinds. There is a sense in which we strengthen ourselves (the command to be strong), and a sense in which God strengthens us (in the grace of the Lord). We don’t sit around waiting for an injection of strength. But we act boldly and faithfully, knowing God will give us the strength.

Timothy needed now to put into ongoing practice what he had seen during the time he had spent with Paul. They were co-workers together, having traveled many days, months, and years in ministry together. The two had collaborated on five epistles (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians). Their relationship had been forged in the sacrifice and suffering of the gospel. Yet they were more than partners in the work of the Lord. When Paul refers to Timothy as “my son,” which he often does, it is a not a reference to Timothy being young, but to their close relationship that at this juncture resembles an older father with his adult son.

The apostle obviously felt a freedom to give advice, and Timothy must have had quite the respect for Paul to receive it. We have no biblical evidence that Timothy wrote Paul in response; if he did, those letters are lost to antiquity but would have been fascinating to read. The implication, barring anything to the contrary, is that Timothy was quite responsive to Paul’s mentoring and fatherly guidance. Theirs was a prototype of an older servant of the Lord (Paul probably being in his sixties) with a younger servant of the Lord (Timothy probably being in his thirties).

Paul’s and Timothy’s longevity in serving the Lord faithfully for the long term required God’s strength. Doing God’s work needs more than human ability and resolve; it must be done in the power that is in the grace of our Lord. This is true no matter how large or small one’s ministry, whether teaching in Sunday school, being a missionary, preaching in the pulpit, or giving a ride to a widow on Sunday morning, folding bulletins, or greeting visitors.

Lord, keep reminding me to be strong in Your grace as I serve You.