The Mentor
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Paul and Timothy are linked together at the opening of this Epistle. This does not mean that Timothy helped to write the Letter.
He had been with Paul when he first visited Philippi, so he was known to the saints there. Now Timothy is with Paul as the apostle opens this Letter.
Paul was now an older man (Phmn. 9), while Timothy was still quite young.
Thus youth and age were yoked together in the service of the Best of masters.
Jowett puts it nicely: “It is the union of springtime and autumn; of enthusiasm and experience; of impulse and wisdom; of tender hope and quiet and rich assurance.”
Both are described as bondservants of Jesus Christ. Both loved their Master.
The ties of Calvary bound them to the service of their Savior forever.
We are living in an interesting time in history.
For what is likely the first time in the history of the Christian church, generations aren’t worshiping together.
Mentoring is a biblical idea. Although the word “mentor” itself is never used in Scripture, the principles applied when using that terminology are found throughout the biblical text.
We see numerous examples of mentoring relationships taking place throughout the Bible. In some cases, individuals were involved in multiple mentoring relationships.
Sometimes mentoring happened on a one-to-one basis, and in other cases, mentoring took place in a group setting. However, the group was always small enough to listen to, and interact with, each individual. J
Jesus mentored 12, sometimes three and, on rare occasions, one.
Jethro mentored Moses.
Moses mentored Joshua and the elders of Israel.
Joshua mentored the other remaining leaders of his army.
Eli mentored Samuel.
Samuel mentored Saul and David.
David also mentored Solomon.
David also mentored Solomon. Solomon mentored the Queen of Sheba, who returned to her people with his wisdom in the form of Proverbs that applied God’s laws.Elijah mentored Elisha. Elisha mentored king Jehoash and others.Daniel mentored Nebuchadnezzar, who humbled himself before God.Mordecai mentored Esther. Esther mentored King Artaxerxes, which led to the liberation of God’s people.Priscilla and Aquila mentored Apollos, and this resulted in a much-improved ministry for Apollos.And finally, Jesus mentored the twelve apostles who established the Christian church. The apostles mentored hundreds of other leaders, including Paul. Paul mentored Titus, Timothy, and many others. Timothy mentored “faithful men” such as Epaphras. Epaphras and the other faithful men mentored others also, which led to a chain reaction that resulted in dozens of new churches in Asia. Ultimately, this specific mentoring chain is the beginning point of our churches today.
Elisha mentored king Jehoash and others.
Elisha mentored king Jehoash and others.
Daniel mentored Nebuchadnezzar, who humbled himself before God.
Mordecai mentored Esther.
Priscilla and Aquila mentored Apollos, and this resulted in a much-improved ministry for Apollos.
Priscilla and Aquila mentored Apollos, and this resulted in a much-improved ministry for Apollos.
Jesus mentored the twelve apostles who established the Christian church.
Apostles mentored hundreds of other leaders, including Paul.
Paul mentored Titus, Timothy, and many others.
Timothy mentored “faithful men” such as Epaphras.
from Biblical Success – Faithlife
- March 7, 2021
