BIBLE CHARACTERS: “They also Serve…”

Timothy and Apollos, two of Paul’s associates…..

 

The English poet, John Milton (1608-74) penned the words

                They also serve who only stand and wait.

 

While we may consider some forms of service more important than others, those who simply “stand and wait” play their part too and should not be despised. In the New Testament we meet some who fit into the “also serve” category. Although apparently less significant, they were by no means insignificant.    

 

It has been said that a large field can be seen through a small crack in the fence. In just the same way we may be surprised by how much we can learn from what at first appears to be an insignificant Scripture. When we read an epistle, for instance, we may often find ourselves thinking that there is little point on spending very much time on the closing verses. Lists of names, along with personal requests relating to specific situations from long ago, surely cannot have a great deal of relevance for us today. Or can they?

Three such verses at the end of Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians give us a glimpse of Christian service long ago and provide us with some points that are still extremely relevant today. Two very different fellow-workers are described at the end of this epistle. As we consider Paul’s attitude towards Timothy and Apollos we can learn some valuable and timeless lessons about Christian service.

 

10. Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

12. As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.    (1 Corinthians 16:10-12)

 

 

 

TIMOTHY – MAN OF GOD

Timothy, it would seem, was of a fearful disposition. In the pastoral letters addressed to him, Paul encouraged him not to be afraid but to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (1)  He was sensitive and was concerned that others should not be upset by his conduct. Perhaps this was why Paul had to urge him to “use a little wine” for the sake of his health. (2)  Some tended to despise him because he was young. (3)  As a more experienced servant of the Lord, how did Paul view the service of his son in the faith? (4)

From his desk in Ephesus(some 250 miles away from him across the Aegean Sea) Paul thought of his young friend Timothy visiting the Corinthians. He knew the fear that often gripped Timothy’s heart. If Timothy arrived in Corinth and did not feel “at home” there, his ministry might be ineffective. Much depended on the Corinthians’ attitude. They could make things easier for the young worker by ensuring that he was welcomed among them and not left to feel like an outsider. Lovingly, therefore, Paul instructed the Corinthians to receive him in such a way that he would be “without fear” in their company (1 Cor.16:10). According to the Amplified Bible, they were to “put him at ease.” Then Paul added the warm commendation that Timothy – just like Paul himself – was involved in the work of the Lord. As far as Paul was concerned, Timothy was no threat. He also was in the Master’s service and was owned by Him.

 

 

 

APPLYING THE PRINCIPLES

These two thoughts are worth pondering: servants of the Lord need to be both welcomed and recognized. How do we treat the missionaries and full-time Christian workers that we know? When they visit a church fellowship are they made to feel at home, or are they made to feel that people are eyeing them with suspicion and expecting more than is humanly possible from them? If you are an older Christian, how do you regard the younger worker? Do you see him as a threat to your position? Paul was a man with a generous heart and entertained no such thoughts. There is room for all in the Lord’s service! How good it is to find an older Christian giving encouragement to a younger one and saying to others, “He is also involved in the Lord’s work, just as I am.”

Timothy might be young, but he was doing a great work. It would be wrong to treat him with contempt. “Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren” (1 Cor.16:11). Paul knew what it was to be neglected by others. He did not want Timothy to suffer unnecessarily in this way, hence the instruction to the Corinthians to ensure that he left with such provisions as were needed. Notice too that Paul was waiting for Timothy “with the brethren”. Companionship and fellowship in service are both vital. Although “the brethren” here are not named, both Paul and Timothy valued them. The same should be true today.

 

 

 

 

WHAT ABOUT APOLLOS?

The second fellow-worker named here provides us with additional insights as we see how Paul regarded other labourers for the Lord. Paul told the Corinthians that he had “greatly desired (Apollos) to come unto you with the brethren.” However, Apollos did not think the time was right just then. “He will come when he shall have convenient time,” Paul added (1 Cor.16:12).

Apollos had begun his ministry in Ephesus, the place where Paul was now staying. (5)  After a period of service in Achaia (where Corinth was located) he had moved on. (6)  Paul knew that factions existed in the Church at Corinth, and some of the believers gave their allegiance to Apollos. (7)  Perhaps the Corinthians had written to Paul about Apollos – which would account for the wording, “Now concerning our brother Apollos…” (NKJV)  What could Paul say about him?

Two important points emerge from this verse. Firstly, Paul was not at all jealous of Apollos. The fact that some at Corinth favoured him more than Paul did not mean that Paul would do all he could to keep Apollos away. Quite the reverse: Paul had “greatly desired” Apollos to travel to Corinth – something he would never have done if he had been jealous of him and had regarded Corinth as his own “patch”. In fact, he had done all he could to encourage Apollos to make the journey. However, Apollos would not be persuaded – and here is the second important lesson. Apollos was a servant of the Lord in his own right. He was accountable to the Master and not to Paul. Doubtless he had prayed about it when Paul mentioned the idea to him, but the conclusion he reached was clear. The time was not “convenient” just then, possibly because it did not fit in with his other plans. (Perhaps the factions in the church would only be made worse.) When the Lord clearly opened the door, Apollos would make the journey.

 

 

 

NOT JEALOUS

Just as Timothy was no threat to him, so Paul was not the slightest bit jealous of Apollos. One of the most potentially damaging things in Christian service is envy. It is described in Scripture as “rottenness of the bones” (8).  Indeed, “Who is able to stand before envy?” (9)  We must ask God for the grace to recognize others of His servants, and we must rejoice when he sees fit to use them – even if it appears to be at our expense.

Each servant is accountable to the Master above – whether Paul, Apollos, you, or me. One Christian today may urge another to pursue a course that seems right. The other, like Apollos, may be unwilling. That need not cause any disagreement. As God’s servant you must be guided by Him – and you should pray for the one who sees his responsibilities differently and doesn’t recognize your “vision” as his own call from the Lord. Remember an important principle from the Psalms: “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach His way.” (10)

 

END NOTES:-  (1)2 Tim.1:7-8; 2:1.  (2)1 Tim.5:23.  (3)1 Tim.4:12. (4)1 Tim.1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2.  (5)Acts 18:24-26.  (6)Acts 18:27 & 19:1.  (7)1 Cor.1:12.  (8)Prov.14:30.  (9)Prov.27:4.  (10)Ps.25:9.