According to Christian tradition (if it is to be trusted), Timothy was a long-time bishop in the great city of Ephesus, where he accomplished a monumental work before dying as a martyr at the age of 70 to 75. Throughout his life, Timothy must have often recalled and reminisced about the scene in Acts 16:1-3, which was the turning point in his life: his encounter with the Apostle Paul.

Indeed, it was during his second missionary journey, accompanied by Silas (since he had just parted ways with Barnabas under rather tense circumstances), that Paul, passing through Derbe and Lystra, met this young man. Acts 16:2 gives us an important detail about the young man, who was 17 to 18 years old at the time: “The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.”

What must have happened for Paul to set his sights on this young man and take him under his wing, we do not know, but Acts 16:3 says: “Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him…” The Alfred Kuen Version says: “Paul decided to take him along as a companion. He took him with him and had him circumcised.” From this relationship, three things emerged:

a. A close and intense ministerial relationship between Paul and Timothy that lasted for more than thirty years. In 1 Timothy 1:2, when Paul wrote the first epistle to him, he called him: “My true child in the faith…” In 1 Corinthians 4:17, he called him: “My beloved and faithful child…”

b. A ministry with impact that Timothy would carry out in the city of Ephesus, the capital of the province of Asia, for about forty years, according to some commentators, transforming and changing, with God’s help, this idolatrous city into one devoted to God;

c. A model of a spiritual father and spiritual son relationship that would become a reference. A stable, enduring relationship full of loyalty and marked by strong mutual dependence. NB: Paul, concerned about Timothy’s ministry and success, wrote him two epistles. He maintained a close relationship with him until the end of his life. In 2 Timothy 4:9 and 13, he not only urgently asked Timothy to come to him but also requested favors from him:

“Do your best to come to me quickly… When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.”

Some essential and fundamental truths that Paul and Timothy’s encounter teaches us regarding life’s journey:

1. Many “Timothys” with their potential never become giants simply because they never had the grace of having “Pauls” on their paths;
2. “Pauls” often have an eagle-like keen eye and can see the greatness hidden in the smallness of “Timothys,” the wealth buried in poverty, and the hidden future exploits in humble beginnings;
3. “Pauls” know, as the Master did with his disciples, how to make us their project, meaning they know how to help us grow, especially to help us become, and finally accompany us in the process. NB: When he called the first disciples, He said this profound and significant word in Matthew 4:19: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Notice that He does not say: “You will become,” meaning by themselves and without Him, but “I will make you,” meaning, I will be an actor, participant, and stakeholder in your becoming.
4. “Pauls” know how to give “Timothys” the opportunity to learn, even by making mistakes, but with faith that they will improve. Acts 19:22 tells us about the moment when, newly enrolled in his team, Paul sent Timothy to Macedonia with Erastus.
5. “Pauls” never let “Timothys” be self-taught and resourceful by themselves. They transmit knowledge through teaching and example. In 2 Timothy 3:10-14, Paul says to his son in faith: “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance…” The Alfred Kuen Version says: “But you, my son, you have been my faithful companion, step by step, you have listened to my teaching, you have observed my behavior, and you have made it the rule of your life. You have applied yourself to follow my ideas and projects, my faith, my patience, my spirit of love, my endurance. You have adopted my life goal and wanted, like me, to believe, love, and endure.”
6. “Pauls” expose “Timothys” and give them the opportunity to express themselves, to bring out the best in them. 1 Corinthians 4:17 reports Paul’s words about Timothy when he sent him: “For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” In 1 Thessalonians 3:2, it is written: “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.”
7. “Pauls” care about everything concerning “Timothys” and want to prevent them from problems. In 1 Timothy 5:23, like a father, Paul gives this precious advice related to his son’s physical health: “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” In 2 Timothy 2:15, we again see his fatherly heart: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Especially in 2 Timothy 4:14-15, when he wants to prevent Timothy from bad experiences he himself had known, Paul says: “Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.”

8. “Timothys” have the grace on their ministerial path to have, at some point, people who believe in them and have faith in their becoming when everything is still hidden. What a grace!
9. “Timothys” never forget their “Pauls” and even feel somewhat indebted to them because it is through them that God worked to shape, mold, and bring them to where they have arrived.

Paul and the twelve disciples of Ephesus:

Acts 19:1-7 marks a turning point in the lives of twelve people belonging to Christ and serving Him in Ephesus. Although we do not know how long they had been disciples and servants in Ephesus, we know that one day they met the Apostle Paul. Was it in the morning? At noon? In the afternoon or evening? The Bible does not specify. But it is evident that there was an encounter, an encounter that counted, that changed everything, and that was a source of enrichment. During this fortuitous meeting of a few minutes, three things happened:

a. Paul challenged them by shaking their spiritual comfort. In Acts 19:2, he said to them: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

b. Paul led them to live a rich and available experience that was a plus in their walk and ministry. Acts 19:6 says: “When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”

c. The twelve men stepped out of their comfort zone and were brought to a higher level in the exercise of their ministry.

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This text is an excerpt from the book “The Impact of Encounters in Destiny” written by Roland DALO.

We invite you to read the following article “A PARTICULAR ENCOUNTER.”