character

Character, Then Competence

The apostle Paul challenged Timothy, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Notice the order of the language. Paul did not say, “Entrust to able men who will one day be faithful.” He did not encourage Timothy to go find the best people, the most skilled orators or leaders, and then work with them to help them become more and more faithful in their walk with the Lord. He did not challenge Timothy to find the highly competent and then hope and...