## Timothy has proven himself ##

What Timothy has proven about himself can be made explicit: "Timothy has shown that he cares about the things of Christ" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]).

## as a child serves his father, so he served with me ##

Paul compares Timothy's service with him to a child serving his father. Paul is emphasizing the close father-son relationship he has with Timothy in serving Christ. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

## in the spread of the gospel ##

"in telling people about the gospel"

## I am confident in the Lord, that I will come soon ##

This could be translated as "I am sure, if it is the Lord's will, that I will come soon."