Timothy was a gifted evangelist, not just that he had a flair for words or a charismatic personality, but that he was ordained by God through prophecy and set apart by the laying on of the elders' hands - his spiritual gift was evangelism.
That would seem to have settled the matter within the church and in his community but there was one more thing that stood out about Timothy that caused others to doubt his calling and/or his ability: Timothy was a bit young to be regarded as a leader.
I remember the days when older members would tell me, "You'll make a good little preacher one day." And I remember leaning on Paul's exhortation to Timothy when that would happen, "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young..." (1 Tim 4:12a).
Timothy's calling and my calling came from God, not man. Therefore condescending voices were to be pushed back, not yielded to. You may feel called to ministry, whether preaching, teaching, outreach, benevolence, missions, church leadership, etc., but feel too young, too old, not educated enough, not socially or financially positioned, whatever not enough or too much. But, if God is calling you, it to Him you answer, not to others or your own self-doubt. Do not let anyone, not even you, look down His call.
There is more to what Paul said to Timothy than normally quoted, there was a strategy Paul instructed Timothy to use to quiet the naysayers that he employed and so must you: "...set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Tim 4:12b). Don't just assert your calling to ministry, live in such a way that others are assured of your authenticity and maturity in the faith, regardless of age or education or experience or such.
Jus' Sayn.
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