Today’s post, from Jon Swanson at the blog, 300 Words a Day, is a reminder of how the Bible never ceases to reveal itself to be a living book, with so many details awaiting our consideration!
That’s really good news, right? That Timothy was released from jail?
Of course, many people have known that for a really long time. In fact, as long as people have been reading the book of Hebrews, they have known that Timothy is out of jail and is on his way somewhere.
I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. (Hebrews 13:23)
I, on the other hand, did not know that he had been released. Truth be told, I never knew that he had been arrested. I had no idea.
I knew, of course, that when Paul, who had mentored Timothy, wrote one of his instructional letters to Timothy, he reminded Timothy of all that they had been through. Paul said,
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:10-13)
I knew that, but I had never noticed that Timothy, apparently, had been through the whole process himself.
Why am I making such a big deal of Timothy’s release? A couple reasons.
1. Because I’ve spent some time reading the Bible, talking about it, teaching it. For all I know, I’ve probably taught some or all of Hebrews. And yet, there are things that I just haven’t noticed.
2. Because once noticed, this little observation connects with and fleshes out a picture of Timothy that I hadn’t thought about before.
There is a lot, I’m discovering, that I have to learn about what’s written here…
~ Jon Swanson
The persecution and suffering of those who took a stand for Christ wasn’t limited to just Paul and a few others, but perhaps was more common to the entire early church.
Christianity 201 
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