Although the Greek words for disciple and discipleship are not used in Paul’s epistles, the concept of discipleship permeates his epistles. In fact, Paul writes two of the Pastoral Epistles to Timothy, who is described in the book of Acts as a disciple. The Pastoral Epistles are “discipleship epistles,” and are Paul’s primary emphasis in Timothy and Titus.
Our 21st century discipleship must be informed by Paul’s writings. In our devotional passage this week, Paul emphasizes that discipleship is a generational task. He writes to Timothy about how important it is to pass down to the next generations the truth of the grace of God (vs. 1-2). Four generations of believers are mentioned in verse 2: Paul’s generation, Timothy’s generation, the generation Timothy is to teach, and the generation taught by those mentored by Timothy. The implication is that this will continue indefinitely. Discipleship is a long-term task–longer than a lifetime.
Paul also indicates that discipling brings shared suffering. This goes much further than sharing in the suffering of our mentor (vs. 3-4, 9-10). The early church recognized in the confession quoted by Paul (vs. 11-13) that it participates in the suffering of Christ. Discipleship, in Paul’s mind, is about more than personal growth; it extends to our life for Christ in the midst of a wicked world (v. 4). It is a life of military-like focus. This life, however, has rewards, as he points out in his examples of the victorious Olympic athlete (v. 5) and the harvesting farmer (v. 6).
What is this reward? Paul describes it in this passage as the eternal glory we share with Christ as we reign with Him (vs. 9, 11). This is the ultimate goal of our discipleship, glory with Christ; but it only comes as we are willing to take up our cross and follow Him.
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