Timothy (Acts 14:6–22; Acts 16:1–5; Acts 17:10–15; Acts 18:1–5; Acts 19:21–22; Acts 20:1–6; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10–11; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Philippians 1:1; Philippians 2:19–23; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:1–6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1–7; 1 Timothy 1:18–20; 1 Timothy 3:14–15; 1 Timothy 4:12–16; 1 Timothy 5:23; 1 Timothy 6:11–21; 2 Timothy 1:1–14; 2 Timothy 2:1–3; 2 Timothy 3:10–17; 2 Timothy 4:1–22; Philemon 1:1; Hebrews 13:23)

Paul's Beloved and Faithful Child in the Lord

A disciple of Lystra, the son of a believing Jewess and a Greek father, taught the sacred writings from a babe by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. Paul took him on his journeys, sent him to the churches in his place, named him beside himself in six letters, and wrote him two letters of charge, the last asking him to come before winter.

Timothy first appears at Lystra: “a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek” (Acts 16:1). Paul had preached the gospel at Lystra on his first journey and been stoned there (Acts 14:6–7; Acts 14:19), and he later reminds Timothy that he knew “what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra” (2 Timothy 3:11). Timothy's faith had come down to him at home: “the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5), and “from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings” (2 Timothy 3:15).

He was “well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium” (Acts 16:2), and “Him would Paul have to go forth with him” (Acts 16:3). Elders laid hands on him with prophecy (1 Timothy 4:14), and Paul laid his own hands on him (2 Timothy 1:6).

From then on he is with Paul or sent by him: to Thessalonica, to Macedonia, to Corinth, and in hope to Philippi. He preached Christ at Corinth with Paul and Silvanus (2 Corinthians 1:19). Paul calls him “my fellow-worker” (Romans 16:21), “our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ” (1 Thessalonians 3:2) and “my beloved and faithful child in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:17), and says of him, “I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state” (Philippians 2:20) and “as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 2:22). His name stands beside Paul's at the head of six letters (2 Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1:1).

Paul left him at Ephesus to charge certain men “not to teach a different doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3) and wrote him two letters. The first charges him, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe” (1 Timothy 4:12). The second, written as Paul's death drew near, “the time of my departure is come” (2 Timothy 4:6), hands the work on: “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2), “do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5), and “Give diligence to come before winter” (2 Timothy 4:21).

The last word of him in the New Testament is that he had been in bonds and released: “Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty” (Hebrews 13:23).

Strengths

• Faithfulness
• Genuine care for the churches
• Faith received from childhood
• Knowledge of the Scriptures
• Readiness to be sent
• Servant's heart
• Well reported of
• Tenderness

Weaknesses

• Timidity
• Youth that some despised
• Often ill

Themes

• Faith handed down
• A child in the faith
• Sent in Paul's place
• Guard the deposit
• Sound doctrine
• Suffer hardship
• Passing on the word
• Fellowship in the gospel

Raised in the sacred writings (2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14–17; Acts 16:1)

His grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had unfeigned faith before him, and from a babe he knew the sacred writings.

Raised in the sacred writings

Timothy's mother was “a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek” (Acts 16:1). The faith came to him through the women of his house: “the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

Paul tells him to hold on to what he was taught, “knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14–15), and adds, “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Paul at Lystra (Acts 14:6–7; Acts 14:19–22; 2 Timothy 3:10–11)

On Paul's first journey the gospel is preached at Lystra and Paul is stoned there; Timothy later knows what befell Paul at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra.

Paul at Lystra

Fleeing Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went “unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about: and there they preached the gospel” (Acts 14:6–7). At Lystra Jews from Antioch and Iconium “stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead” (Acts 14:19). Returning, they went through Lystra “confirming the souls of the disciples” (Acts 14:22).

Years later Paul writes to Timothy, “thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, sufferings; what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra” (2 Timothy 3:10–11). Acts does not say when Timothy believed; Paul calls him “my true child in faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).

Paul would have him go forth (Acts 16:1–5)

At Lystra Paul takes Timothy, well reported of by the brethren, and circumcises him because of the Jews in those parts.

Paul would have him go forth

“a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek” (Acts 16:1). “The same was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium” (Acts 16:2).

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek” (Acts 16:3). So they went through the cities, and “the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16:5).

Hands laid on him, with prophecy (1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 6:12)

A gift was given him by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, and through the laying on of Paul's hands.

Hands laid on him, with prophecy

Paul commits a charge to him “according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18). “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery” (1 Timothy 4:14), and “stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6).

He had made his confession openly: he “didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).

Left at Beroea, then rejoining Paul (Acts 17:10–15; Acts 18:1–5)

Silas and Timothy stay at Beroea when Paul is sent away; Paul bids them come to him with all speed; later they come down from Macedonia to Corinth.

Sent to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 3:1–6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1)

Left at Athens alone, Paul sent Timothy to establish and comfort the Thessalonians, and Timothy came back with glad tidings of their faith and love.

Sent to the Thessalonians

“we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:1–2).

“But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love” (1 Thessalonians 3:6). Both letters to Thessalonica open with his name beside Paul's and Silvanus's (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1).

Preaching Christ at Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:19; Acts 18:5)

At Corinth the Son of God was preached by Paul, Silvanus and Timothy.

Preaching Christ at Corinth

When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was “constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 18:5). Paul later reminds the Corinthians, “the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea” (2 Corinthians 1:19).

Sent into Macedonia and to Corinth (Acts 19:21–22; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10–11; 2 Corinthians 1:1)

From Ephesus Paul sends Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, and writes that Timothy will remind the Corinthians of his ways; they are to receive him without fear.

Sent into Macedonia and to Corinth

Paul “sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus” (Acts 19:22). To Corinth he wrote, “For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:17).

He asks them to treat him well: “if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do: let no man therefore despise him” (1 Corinthians 16:10–11). Timothy is with Paul again when the second letter is written; it opens “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother” (2 Corinthians 1:1).

With Paul in Corinth, toward Jerusalem (Romans 16:21; Acts 20:1–6)

Timothy sends greetings to Rome as Paul's fellow-worker, and is one of the company that accompanies Paul as far as Asia on the way to Jerusalem.

With Paul in Corinth, toward Jerusalem

From Corinth Paul writes to Rome, “Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you” (Romans 16:21).

When Paul set out for Jerusalem, “there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus” (Acts 20:4).

With Paul in his bonds (Philippians 1:1; Philippians 2:19–23; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1)

Timothy's name opens the letters Paul writes as a prisoner to Philippi, Colossae and Philemon, and Paul hopes to send him to Philippi: none other is likeminded.

With Paul in his bonds

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:1) write together while Paul is in bonds, and Timothy is named again at the head of Colossians and Philemon.

“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state. For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 2:19–22).

Charged to remain at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:1–7; 1 Timothy 3:14–15; 1 Timothy 4:12–16; 1 Timothy 5:23; 1 Timothy 6:11–21)

Paul, going into Macedonia, leaves Timothy at Ephesus to charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, and writes to him how men ought to behave in the house of God.

Charged to remain at Ephesus

“As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3). Paul writes “that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

He was young: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). He was often unwell: “use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23).

The letter closes, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:11–12), and “O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee” (1 Timothy 6:20).

Paul's last charge (2 Timothy 1:1–14; 2 Timothy 2:1–3; 2 Timothy 4:1–8)

As his departure draws near, Paul tells Timothy to stir up the gift, commit what he heard to faithful men, suffer hardship, preach the word and fulfil his ministry.

Paul's last charge

Paul remembers him “night and day longing to see thee, remembering thy tears” (2 Timothy 1:3–4), and says, “God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

The work is to go on through him: “the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:2–3).

“I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season” (2 Timothy 4:1–2). “But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come” (2 Timothy 4:5–6).

Come before winter (2 Timothy 4:9–13; 2 Timothy 4:21)

Paul, alone but for Luke, asks Timothy to come shortly, bring Mark, the cloak left at Troas and the books, and to come before winter.

Come before winter

“Give diligence to come shortly unto me: for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world … Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering” (2 Timothy 4:9–11).

“The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13). “Give diligence to come before winter” (2 Timothy 4:21). The text does not say whether he arrived in time.

Set at liberty (Hebrews 13:23)

The letter to the Hebrews closes with the news that Timothy has been set at liberty, and the writer hopes to come with him.

Set at liberty

“Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you” (Hebrews 13:23). Timothy too had been in bonds for the gospel. This is the last that Scripture says of him.

Paul (Acts 16:3; 1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:22; 2 Timothy 1:2–6)

Took him on his journeys, laid hands on him, sent him in his place, and called him his beloved and faithful child in the Lord.

Lois (2 Timothy 1:5)

His grandmother, in whom unfeigned faith dwelt first.

Eunice (Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:5)

His mother, a Jewess that believed; the faith dwelt in her before him.

His father (Acts 16:1–3)

A Greek; known to all the Jews of those parts.

Silas (Silvanus) (Acts 17:14–15; Acts 18:5; 2 Corinthians 1:19)

Stayed with him at Beroea, came down with him from Macedonia, and preached Christ with him and Paul at Corinth.

Erastus (Acts 19:22)

Sent with him into Macedonia, two of them that ministered to Paul.

Paul's companions to Asia (Acts 20:4)

Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Tychicus and Trophimus went with him and Paul as far as Asia.

Luke (2 Timothy 4:11)

Alone with Paul at the end, when Paul asks Timothy to come.

Mark (2 Timothy 4:11)

Timothy is asked to bring him, for he is useful for ministering.

The church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10–11)

Told to receive him without fear and not to despise him.

The church at Philippi (Philippians 2:19–22)

Knew the proof of him; Paul hoped to send him to learn of their state.

Teachers of a different doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3–7; 1 Timothy 1:19–20)

Certain men at Ephesus whom he was left to charge, among them Hymenæus and Alexander, who made shipwreck concerning the faith.

Major sections

• Acts 16:1–5
• 1 Thessalonians 3:1–6
• Philippians 2:19–23
• 1 Timothy 1–6
• 2 Timothy 1–4

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