Silas, Paul's companion in labor, was a tried worker, gifted with the spirit of prophecy; but the work to be done was so great that there was need of training more laborers for active service. In Timothy Paul saw one who appreciated the sacredness of the work of a minister; who was not appalled at the prospect of suffering and persecution; and who was willing to be taught. Yet the apostle did not venture to take the responsibility of giving Timothy, an untried youth, a training in the gospel ministry, without first fully satisfying himself in regard to his character and his past life.

Paulus medarbejder Silas var en prøvet mand, som havde profetiske evner; men det foreliggende arbejde var så stort, at det var nødvendigt at oplære flere til aktiv tjeneste. I Timoteus fandt Paulus en, som forstod, hvor hellig en prædikants gerning er, som ikke lod sig skræmme ved tanken om lidelse og forfølgelse, og som var villig til at lade sig belære. Dog vovede apostlen ikke at påtage sig det ansvar at oplære Timoteus, som var en uerfaren ung mand, til evangeliets forkynder uden først at skaffe sig fuld viden om hans karakter og tidligere liv.