The apostle’s speech had gained him many friends, and he was visited by some persons of rank, who accounted his blessing of greater value than the favor of the emperor of the world. But there was one friend for whose sympathy and companionship he longed in those last trying days. That friend was Timothy, to whom he had committed the care of the church at Ephesus, and who had therefore been left behind when he made his last voyage to Rome. The affection between this youthful laborer and the apostle began with Timothy’s conversion through the labors of Paul; and the tie had strengthened as they had shared together the hopes and perils and toils of missionary life, until they seemed to be as one. The disparity in their age and the difference in their character made their interest and love for each other more earnest and sacred. The ardent, zealous, indomitable spirit of Paul found repose and comfort in the mild, yielding, retiring character of Timothy. The faithful ministration and tender love of this tried companion had brightened many a dark hour of the apostle’s life. All that Melancthon was to Luther, all that a son could be to a loved and honored father, that was the youthful Timothy to the tried and lonely Paul.{LP 319.1}


Skildringer fra Paulus liv kapitel 31. 319.     Fra side 319 i den engelske udgave.tilbage

Paulus’ sidste brev

Apostlens tale gav ham mange venner, og han blev besøgt af nogle personer af rang, som regnede hans velsignelse af større værdi, end velvilligheden fra verdens kejser. Men der var en ven hvis forståelse og kammeratskab han længes i disse sidste prøvende dage. Den ven var Timotius, som han havde betroet ansvaret for Efesermenigheden, og som derfor var blevet ladet tilbage på sin sidste rejse til Rom. Hengivenheden mellem den unge medarbejder og apostlen begyndte med Timotius omvendelse gennem Paulus arbejde; og de bånd var blevet stærkere, idet de delte missionslivets håb og farer og slid sammen, indtil de syntes at være et. Deres forskellige alderstrin og forskellen i deres karakter gjorde deres interesse og kærlighed for hinanden mere alvorlig og hellig. Paulus brændende, nidkærhed og uovervindelige ånd fandt støtte og trøst i Timotius milde, føjelige og tilbageholdende karakter. Den trofaste tjeneste og ømme kærlighed fra denne prøvede kammerat havde lyste en mørk stund op i apostlens liv. Alt hvad Melankton var for Luther, alt hvad en søn kunne være for en elsket og æret far, det var den unge Timoteus for den prøvede og ensomme Paulus.

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