I Timothy 4:6, "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."

Timothy, a young disciple who was Paul's companion in many of his journeys is first brought into notice at the time of Paul's second visit to Lystra, where he probably resided, and where he was converted during Paul's first visit. Paul arranged to have Timothy as  his companion and circumcised him, so that he might conciliate the Jews.

Timothy was designated to the office of an evangelist and went with Paul in his journey through Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia, Troas, Philippi, and Berea. He followed Paul to Athens, and was sent by him with Silas on a mission to Thessalonica.

After journeying with Paul to Corinth, they returned to Ephesus where he was sent on a mission into Macedonia. He then accompanied Paul to Asia where he remained with him for some time. When Paul was a prisoner at Rome, Timothy joined him where it appears he also suffered imprisonment.

I Timothy 6:11-12, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

Often called the minister's handbook, Paul's first letter addressed to, "Timothy, my own son in the faith," was penned in approximately 62 A.D. The letter instructs Timothy concerning his conduct and position as the minister of the church at Ephesus.

The book of I Timothy instructs and exhorts the church to be prudent in selecting church officials. The leadership can move the church in the wrong direction and when we choose not to follow good instruction it is not the church that is given rebuke, but the name of God becomes a blasphemy.

Through Paul's words to his son in the faith we are reminded of the mission of the church. We do not live for ourselves but to the glory of God, the King eternal, immortal, invisible, and the only wise God.