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clarity, courage, commission

1 Timothy 1:3-4 (JDV)

1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may direct certain people not to endorse different doctrine
1 Timothy 1:4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s commission, which operates by faith.

clarity, courage, commission

Paul had described Timothy in the salutation to this letter as his “true son in the faith.” It looks like Timothy wanted to join his true father in the faith, and leave Ephesus. It must not have been easy as a young man to manage a major city with multiple congregations. He probably felt incompetent at times, and wished he could be back with his mentor.

But Paul told him to stay put. Timothy was exactly where God wanted him, and exactly where Paul needed him. Jesus had given them all a Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations, and Ephesus was ground zero for Timothy.

LORD, give us clarity as to where you want us to start making disciples for you, and courage to get there and stay put.