Timothy means "honoring God”. One church tradition suggests he was born around AD 17. He was a native of Lystra, the product of a mixed marriage. His Greek (Gentile) father is not mentioned by name. The mother of Timothy was a Jewess named Eunice. She later became a Jewish Christian (Acts 16:1, 2 Timothy 1:5). The grandmother of Timothy, on his mother's side, was named Lois and she, too, became a Christian. Both women were likely converted during Paul's first evangelistic journey to the city in AD 46.
Eunice, and Lois taught Timothy the Scriptures from the time he was a young boy. Despite his young age, Timothy was respected by fellow believers. Well-grounded in Paul's teachings, Timothy was a reliable evangelist skilled at presenting the gospel.
As Paul planted churches around the Mediterranean and converted thousands to Christianity, he realized he needed a trustworthy person to carry on after he died. He chose the zealous young disciple Timothy.
The first time Paul meets an unmarried Timothy is in Lystra, around early AD 50, soon after he began his second missionary journey. At that time Paul & Timothy were roughly 48 and 33 years old, respectively. Based on the recommendation of several church members both in the city and in Iconium, Paul decides to take the young man with him as he travels preaching the gospel (Acts 16:2 - 3). It was apparent that Timothy would at some point be preaching to many Jews, so before this could happen, Paul pays to have him circumcised.
The Bible records, after Timothy was ordained to serve by Paul and church brethren (1Timothy 4:14, 2Timothy 1:6), that he ministered in at least five New Testament churches (1Thessalonians 3:1 - 2, 1Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 2:19 - 22, Acts 17:14 and 1Timothy 1:3).
Timothy accompanied Paul on most of his second journey travels after he left Lystra. He had witnessed the sufferings of Paul and loved him as his father in Christ (1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 3:10-11). Scripture informs us he was with the apostle in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. While in the city he and a man named Erastus are sent by Paul to minister to brethren in Macedonia (Acts 19:22). Later on, he meets with others at Troas to accompany the apostle through Asia on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4 - 5).
Timothy suffered from frequent illnesses, apparently largely having to do with his stomach. This is why Paul writes in 1st Timothy 5:23: “Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.” (NLT)
Timothy struggled to overcome fear and timidity. Paul urged him in 1 Timothy 4:12: "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." (NLT) Again, Paul encouraged him in 2 Timothy 1:6-7: "This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (NLT)
Catholic tradition states Timothy died in Ephesus when he was over 80 years old (1913 Catholic Encyclopedia). According to the first chapter of Foxe's Book of Martyrs, he died in AD 97, upholding the truth of the Bible. Foxe's states he was the bishop of Ephesus and was murdered when he told a crowd of pagans that their idolatrous celebrations were ridiculous.
An afterthought: Be kind to others, regardless of who they happen to be. “Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) “God forgives us, not because we forgive others, but solely because of his great mercy, however, we will want to be like him. Having received forgiveness, we will pass it on to others.” [1] Forgive like Christ, who was even willing to forgive those who crucified him (Luke 23:34).
Up next we will take our first look at Paul’s 2nd letter to Timothy. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Sources: The Life Application Study Bible; https://www.biblestudy.org/bible-study-by-topic/people-in-the-bible/timothy.html;
https://www.learnreligions.com/timothy-companion-of-the-apostle-paul-701073; https://bibleportal.com/articles/who-was-timothy-in-the-bible;https://bornofspirit.net/here/timothys-stomach/.
[1] The Life Application Study Bible; p. 2623 ... note on verse 32.
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