Wednesday: Proven Character
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 28th of January 2026
Timothy’s role as a co-sender of this epistle has already been mentioned (Philippians 1:1). Now Paul begins to detail how valuable Timothy is as one of his coworkers. He is described as an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5) whom Paul had sent to Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 3:2; compare Acts 18:5, Acts 19:22) and, on several occasions, to Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 16:10). Previously he had worked with Paul and Silas in Corinth (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:1) and later in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:2-3; compare Acts 19:22). Paul describes Timothy as being “like-minded” (Philippians 2:20, NKJV). The Greek word (lit. “equal in soul”) suggests he was like Paul in many ways, including his commitment to Christ, his energetic efforts to spread the gospel, and his concern for the Philippians specifically.
Why do you think Paul speaks so positively and at such length about Timothy here (see Philippians 2:19-23)? What else does Paul say about him (see 1 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Timothy 1:5)?
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Another quality of Timothy’s mentioned by Paul is his “proven character” (Philippians 2:22, NKJV). The Greek word describes a person who has been thoroughly tested by trials (Romans 5:4) and whose character and service has proved to be genuine (2 Corinthians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 9:13). Paul knows this to be true of Timothy because he has seen it demonstrated through the many occasions that they worked alongside each other in spreading the gospel.
It is the difficult experiences of life that test our mettle and demonstrate who we are on the inside. Ellen G. White puts it this way: “Life is disciplinary. . . . There will be provocations to test the temper; and it is by meeting these in a right spirit that the Christian graces are developed. If injuries and insults are meekly borne, if insulting words are responded to by gentle answers, and oppressive acts by kindness, this is evidence that the Spirit of Christ dwells in the heart.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 344. She goes on to say that if “the hardships and annoyances that we are called to bear” are “well endured, they develop the Christlike in the character and distinguish the Christian from the worldling.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 344.
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Think about the provocations, hardships, and annoyances you have faced recently. Have these been “meekly borne” and “well endured”? What can you do to enable these experiences to help make you more disciplined? |
I have mentioned before that I had a good birding mate. Paul (not the Bible one) was a fellow New Zealander and in fact came to Australia on the same boat as me in 1963. We went our several ways but about 8 years ago we met up again and discovered that we were both keen bird photographers. We both had a sense of humour and were always having one another on about what we had seen or thought we had seen. It was a treasured friendship and when he died suddenly just over a year ago, I felt I had lost part of myself.
But it wasn’t just the birding. We were both long standing Seventh-day Adventist employees and had weathered the theological storms of the last 50 years. Our birding was often a time where we discussed our Christian experience. I will admit now, that I would often discuss ideas I had for my Sabbath School Net comments with him. It was so encouraging to me to have someone with whom I could share ideas, even whacky ones, and know that there was no judgement. If he thought I was wrong, he would tell me. It was a safe environment away from the judgmental folk, to come to grips with how we thought about spirituality, the church, Christianity and theology. And it was fun, filled with humour and laughter, as well as the serious and thoughtful.
Paul (the Bible one) had a good colleague in Timothy. You can see that in the way he writes both to him and about him. I am sure they had serious discussions and tried out ideas on one another. Interestingly, Paul did not surround himself with people who always agreed with him. We know that he worked well with Barnabus, but they also had a “parting of ways” that was ultimately healed.
We often talk about the Holy Spirit and its role in our relationship with Jesus, but sometimes we are dismissive of the notion that the Holy Spirit often works through friends and colleagues. In your spiritual journey, do you have friends or colleagues with whom you can interact, who help you grow, friends where the mutual respect is strong enough so that you can disagree and still be friends?
I long to see you Sir on that river, where i will tell how your thoughts helped me to become a humble Christian. let’s strive while looking unto Jesus to be save.
I’m confident that there are many around the world who agree with you, James.
There are many…many good things to say about Timothy. He was:
– Sincere in faith
– Proven in character
– Loyal in relationship
– Humble in spirit
– Faithful under pressure
– Trustworthy
– Young but spiritually mature
Nevertheless, I look at his background as fascinating and instructive.
“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” (2 Timothy 1:5, NLT).
The role the two ladies (Lois and Eunice) played in the upbringing of Timothy is something worth to recommend about. Mothers and grandmothers play a pivotal formative spiritual wellbeing of our families. Spiritual mothers and grandmothers are foundational to the spirituality of our children. This episode is very motivational and instructive in the sense that even in the absence of fathers, mothers who fear the Lord can successfully and happily bring up children who are God fearing. “From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures” (2 Tim 3:15). These two ladies impressed the Christian values in Timothy from childhood (Deut 6:6–7). Mothers should take courage that in the presence of God, challenging family issues can have good outcomes. As in many cases today, “The home isn’t ideal”, “The father isn’t spiritually involved”, “The culture is hostile”, so as it was the case of Timothy. But let us remember that God works through faithfulness, not ideality.
These two women never preached sermons, they were not church elders, they did not baptise anyone, but they influenced the life of a man who helped to shape the New Testament church. That is a legacy worth celebrating and emulating.
A person’s character is the summation of his thoughts, words, and deeds. Timothy’s reputation was that of a trustworthy man, a person of integrity whose actions consistently demonstrated his faith. Timothy experienced a unique and challenging set of circumstances. He had a Gentile father who did not see the need for him to be circumcised according to Jewish custom, and this was widely known (Acts 16:1–3). As a result, many Jews viewed Timothy as a Gentile because of his lack of circumcision, while others perceived him as Jewish because of his upbringing and association with the faith. This placed him in a difficult position—caught between two identities and facing the dilemma of “being different.”
Yet Timothy refused to be defined by his circumstances. Instead, he developed a proven and tested character. His life and conduct earned him a good reputation among the believers (Acts 16:2). Because of this, he faithfully served alongside Paul in advancing the gospel, “as a son with his father” (Philippians 2:22, AMP). His life stands as a testimony that godly character is formed not by background or labels, but by faithfulness and obedience to God (1 Timothy 4:12). May the good Lord grant us sons and daughters with tested and proven character, who will faithfully serve in advancing the message of Christ before His return (2 Timothy 2:20–21; Matthew 24:14).
Paul was not shy to call anything by its correct estimation, right is right and wrong is wrong. In this case, as throughout his mention of Timothy in his epistles, he colorfully describes him, a proven character in God who is “likeminded” to him in Phil. 2.20. When we shall individually stand before the divine throne to give account of our lives, heaven will describe our character correctly as proven or wanting. Luckily we have an opportunity to mature our faith characters into the similitude of Christ by His empowering. Its shall be good music into the ears when Jesus say: faithful servant
The proven character in Timothy was not by accident but one carefully cultured into him willingly by his mother and grandmother 2Tim 1.5. Growing in faith requires a support system from spiritual support from our spiritual parents and surrounding. Paul describes Timothy as a his spiritual son. The greatest challenge of our time is to new converts finding this spiritual support system to grow their faith. My experience as an elder is loss of 80% new baptismal members within three months. The challenge for the current church for providing spiritual nurturing is urgent.
Timothy, a young man, was free to chart his life path, make his own choices. Timothy make the right choice and sticks to it through thick and thin. Paul describes him as having endured deprivations with him. He stands as younger example of being a living sacrifice. He chose transformation over conformity, faith over generational and age correctness. He stands tall as an example for the present
Every Christian due to various environmental-character-stimuli(culture, family-background, groups, etc) struggles on how to overcome the effect of those factors mentioned on their soul/ life. And as a human, logical and psychological remedies develops by a learned-individuals has been an answer to lessen the effects. But, as a Seventh-day Adventist, we should not forget how God had lead us from the past, the answer, the-no-lacking answer has been provided for us, it’s in the scripture-The fruit of the Spirit. if we will humbly apply the fruits of the spirit on our lives, there is no (character failures) heavy burden, for we look unto Jesus sacrifices for us.
I sort of wish I didn’t read this lesson today. I have been feeling discouraged about all I’m doing at church and struggling to hold on. Then bam, down comes the club, as it so often does. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way.
As much as sacrfice is important, I truly fear for those who read the final question that asks how much they sacrifice for the kingdom of God. In my experience, the people who study the lesson faithfully are some of the most sacrificial, hard-working, serving people. The implied answer, at least for me, is “Not enough” which will lead to potentially questioning their commitment and possibly given what they can’t sustain.
I wish we (the church) would understand that our well-intentioned messages to rally people to get involved and serve so often hit the people who don’t need them. There are certainly pew warmers in our churches, but I suspect they won’t be reading this question nor hearing it on Sabbath (Sabbath School attendance at my church is low, as I know it is at others). And it has the potential to discourage those who really are trying. Surely there is a way to motivate without discouraging. But I rarely see it.
Hi Christine, I am always thankful for those promises that show us our ultimate hope is in Jesus, not in ourselves. Here is one of them: “As you come to Him believe that He accepts you because He has promised. You can never perish while you do this-Never.” Ministry of Healing, p. 65
I actually put my comment on the wrong day – it belongs with Tuesday, in case you are wondering how it connects with Timothy!
Christian life is a life of trials. The ultimate goal is to learn how to do Jesus’s will, not one’s own. Despite all the accusations a Christian may face, learn from Christ and letting Him fight is the best option. In due season, everyone’s character is proven and boils down to personal choices.
A Christian’s response to abuse in any form is a delicate matter. We don’t need to condone abuse but at the same time we don’t want to behave misrepresentatively of Christ.
The question is, to what extent must we tolerate abuse as Christians?
I admire Lois and Eunice for raising Timothy up with the Word God. They laid the foundation for his ministry.Lois and Eunice are exemplaries to parents and grand parents.
It seems that perhaps Paul had to convince some that were opposed to having Timothy working with him, that Timothy was indeed, a valuable asset in the promulgation of the gospel ministry.
As possessor of both of their names, I hope and pray that I would likewise possess their zeal and character, especially when the going gets tough. To persevere in the face of adversity is an admirable character trait.
In all my 50 plus years of my Seventh Day Adventist Journey, I have yet to point to any “Church Leader” and say that “He or She” was like a “Father or Mother,” to me. I can point to “One” Male Seventh Day Adventist, that took me under his wing, when I was 28 years old and he taught me “The Painting Trade,” and also taught me the 12 Principles of “The Divine Science” of the “Prayer of Faith.” But he was only an “Older Brother” figure to me.
There’s something deeply strengthening about connecting with others who share your passion for Christ and the gospel commission. It reminds us we’re not alone in our convictions, especially during times of division. When the church feels fractured, those shared connections help steady our faith, lift our spirits, and keep our focus on Christ rather than the conflict.
Like Paul and Timothy, walking alongside like-minded believers brings joy, resilience, and renewed purpose as we “strive together for the faith of the gospel.”