First century AD · joins Paul around AD 49–50, leader in Ephesus around AD 63–67
Timothy in the Bible
Paul’s spiritual son. Name meaning: From the Greek Timotheos, “one who honors God” or “honored by God”
Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish mother and a Greek father, was raised on the Scriptures from childhood. Paul makes him his most faithful coworker, his “own son in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2), sends him to strengthen the churches, and entrusts the church in Ephesus to him. The two epistles that bear his name hold him up as the model of the young servant of God.
Key moments
- Taught the Scriptures from childhood 2 Timothy 3:15
- Paul takes him along from Lystra Acts 16:1–3
- Sent to strengthen the Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 3:2
- Sent to Corinth as a “beloved son, and faithful” 1 Corinthians 4:17
- Left in Ephesus to stand against false teachers 1 Timothy 1:3
- “Let no man despise thy youth” 1 Timothy 4:12
- The final charge: “Preach the word” 2 Timothy 4:2
Strengths
- Faithfulness
- Genuine care for others
- Knowledge of the Scriptures
- Availability
- Humility
Weaknesses
Timothy seems to have been reserved by temperament: Paul has to ask that no one look down on him and that he be “without fear” (1 Cor 16:10-11), and urges him to reject “the spirit of fear” and stir up his gift (2 Tim 1:6-7). He also suffered from “often infirmities” (1 Tim 5:23).
Lessons for today
- A faith passed down in the family, through a grandmother and a mother, can prepare a great servant of God (2 Tim 1:5; 3:15).
- Youth is no obstacle: you can be an example in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Tim 4:12).
- God gives a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind: shyness must not keep us from serving (2 Tim 1:7).
- Receive in order to pass on: entrust the Word to faithful people who will teach it to others (2 Tim 2:2).
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
People around Timothy
- Paul — His spiritual father and mentor in ministry
- Eunice — His mother, a believing Jewish woman
- Lois — His grandmother, in whom the faith first dwelt
- Silas (Silvanus) — Traveling and preaching companion
Stories with Timothy
Quiz: how well do you know Timothy?
What were the names of Timothy’s mother and grandmother?
Paul speaks of the unfeigned faith “which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.” 2 Timothy 1:5
What was the background of Timothy’s father?
Timothy was “the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek.” It was his mother who was Jewish. Acts 16:1
Complete the verse: “Let no man despise thy …”
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conduct…” 1 Timothy 4:12
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