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Ambition Quote by William Barclay

“Timothy's great value was that he was always willing to go anywhere; and in his hands a message was as safe as if Paul had delivered it himself. Others might be consumed with selfish ambition; but Timothy's one desire was to serve Paul and Jesus Christ. He is the patron saint of all those who are…” quote by William Barclay
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“Timothy's great value was that he was always willing to go anywhere; and in his hands a message was as safe as if Paul had delivered it himself. Others might be consumed with selfish ambition; but Timothy's one desire was to serve Paul and Jesus Christ. He is the patron saint of all those who are quite content with the second place, so long as they can serve.”

William Barclay

About This Quote

Source Book: The Letters of Paul, Commentary, 1990

Timothy exemplifies selfless service, prioritizing the safety of a message over personal ambition, embodying humility and dedication to higher purpose.

In simple terms: Selfless service over personal ambition.

Key Takeaway

Serve higher purpose with humility.

Themes

service humility faith leadership dedication

Mood

thoughtful encouraging spiritual

Type

inspirational advice

When to use this quote

  • church ministry
  • volunteer work
  • team projects
  • mentor relationships

Key Concepts

theology ethics role models

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does serving others look like in your life?
  • How can humility coexist with healthy ambition?
A Different Perspective

Emphasizing second‑place content may discourage ambition.

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