On his second Missionary Journey, Paul at Lystra recruited Timothy to take the place of John Mark, and from then on Timothy accompanied Paul on his many missions.

Now Paul delegates Timothy to organise the churches at Ephesus. For Timothy to take on the task of safeguarding the traditional apostolic faith against some heresy, it is essential for Paul to affirm the mandate he himself had been given. He was called into "His service", to be an "apostle of Christ... Jesus our hope" (1:1). He mentions the mercy shown him by Christ and the influence of grace on his subsequent ministry of service. Paul's credentials as an apostle of Christ was to be Timothy's stamp of authority in bringing to the church at Ephesus the maintenance of sound doctrine and wholesome behaviour especially in the conduct of public worship.

Paul here is putting into practice what Jesus Himself told His disciples: "Can one blind man guide another?" (Lk.6:39), and again: "The fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher." (Lk.6:40). This is why Timothy who has been well-trained by Paul is asked by Paul to go to Ephesus to ensure that no travesty is made of the Gospel.