Timothy is an intriguing character in the New Testament. Although none of his words have been recorded, we know a lot about him because he is mentioned 28 times in 12 of the 27 NT books. In fact, in some ways we have a more well-rounded picture of Timothy than we do for other NT figures. For example, we know details about his grandmother, mother, father, how he was raised, and even his physical and psychological weaknesses.
While six references to Timothy come from Acts, the others (except Hebrews 13:23) can be found in Paul’s letters, two of which are addressed to Timothy directly. The frequency of Paul’s comments about Timothy as well as the affectionate terms he uses lead one commentator to conclude that “Timothy was . . . the most important of Paul’s team of associate workers” (Dunn, 216). Here is a key idea: Paul valued his co-workers and Timothy was probably his most valued associate.
So what exactly do we know about this guy named Timothy?
Family
Timothy’s grandmother Lois was the first believer in her family. His mother Eunice was also a believer. Paul writes, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Tim 1:5). According to Acts, Timothy’s “mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek” (16:1). So technically, Timothy was half-Jewish and half-Greek. However, since Jewish identity is passed down through the mother, Timothy would have been considered to be Jewish. But he was uncircumcised so he may not have attended the synagogue.
Apparently, Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother taught him the Scriptures from early childhood:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 3:14-15)
Home City
Timothy lived in Lystra, which is an ancient city located in modern-day Turkey. On Paul and Barnabas’s first visit to Lystra, God used Paul to heal a lame man. When the people saw the miracle, they started shouting,
“The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. (Acts 14:11-13)
Hence, Timothy would have known Greek mythology and seen polytheistic practices near his hometown. After Paul urged the crowd to stop and worship God alone, obstinate Jews arrived from other cities where Paul had preached and
won the crowd over. . . They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. (vv. 19-20)
Then Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra and other cities, “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith” (vv. 21-22).
Some time later, Paul decided to revisit the believers in Lystra and this is when Timothy is first mentioned. In all likelihood, then, Timothy would have known about Paul from his prior visits.
Faith and Reputation
We are not told how Timothy became a believer other than the fact that his mother and grandmother were believers before him. Apparently, he was already a believer when Paul first visited Lystra: “Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived” (Acts 16:1).
“The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well” of Timothy (v. 2) so Paul wanted to take him along on his journey. But Timothy was uncircumcised and Paul knew that would cause problems for his message. Since Paul usually started preaching in synagogues, his audience would have been especially hostile when they saw him with an uncircumcised associate. So Paul “circumcised him” (v. 3). This shows Timothy’s commitment to Paul’s mission and message.
Traveling with Paul
Timothy accompanied Paul on his journeys throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, and into Macedonia, including Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. So Timothy would have known about Paul’s arrest and imprisonment in Philippi, the mob that tried to attack Paul in Thessalonica, and Paul’s escape from Berea to Athens.
After Paul’s eighteen-month stay in Corinth and his two-year visit to Ephesus, he decided to pass through Macedonia on his way to Jerusalem. “He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer” (19:22). The final reference in Acts notes that during Paul’s travels through Macedonia, he was accompanied by several men, including Timothy (20:4).
Working with Paul
Paul acknowledges Timothy and Silas in his opening lines in both 1 and 2 Thessalonians then he goes on to write,
Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. (1 Thess 2:9)
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. (2 Thess 3:7-8)
Timothy didn’t merely travel with Paul; he also worked alongside Paul. (For more on Paul’s work, see this post.)
Timothy in Paul’s Letters
In addition to writing two letters to Timothy, Paul begins six of his letters with an acknowledgement of Timothy. These opening statements show that Timothy was with Paul when Paul composed the letters.
- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia (2 Cor 1:1)
- Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons (Phil 1:1)
- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother (Col 1:1)
- Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. (1 Thess 1:1)
- Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess 1:1)
- Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— (Phil 1:1)
Paul’s letters indicate his high opinion of Timothy as well as their special bond. He calls Timothy:
- “my co-worker” (Rom 16:21)
- “our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ” (1 Thess 3:2)
- “my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord” (1 Cor 4:17)
- “as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel” (Phil 2:22)
- “my true son in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2)
- “my dear son” (2 Tim 1:2)
Additionally, Paul “constantly” remembered Timothy in his prayers (2 Tim 1:3).
While we don’t have any of Timothy’s words, it seems that he felt strong affection for Paul. Paul recalls Timothy’s tears, which may refer to Timothy’s sadness over Paul’s departure. Paul writes, “Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy” (2 Tim 1:4).
Although Paul had a role in directing Timothy’s work, ultimately, Timothy’s mission didn’t come from Paul. Prophecies were made about Timothy (1 Tim 1:18) “when the body of elders laid their hands on” him (4:14). And Timothy received a gift from God when Paul laid his hands on him (2 Tim 1:6).
Besides traveling and working with Paul, what else did Timothy do? First, he preached and taught. In Corinth, he preached Jesus Christ, the Son of God: “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy . . . ” (2 Cor 1:19). On a subsequent visit to Corinth he was supposed to remind the believers of Paul’s way of life: “He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Cor 4:17). In Thessalonica, he was sent to “strengthen and encourage” the believers in the faith (1 Thess 3:2). In Ephesus, Timothy was told to teach the following: (1) “command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies” (1 Tim 1:3), (2) instruct believers how to conduct themselves in God’s household (3:15), (3) “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (4:13). In 2 Timothy, he was instructed to convey Paul’s teachings to “reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2:2), and to “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (4:2).
Second, as Paul’s co-worker or assistant, Timothy went on ahead of Paul to cities and probably made preparations.
Third, he brought news to Paul:
But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. (1 Thess 3:6)
Fourth, as an assistant, he was asked to bring people and things to Paul:
Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. . . . When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. (2 Tim 4:11-13)
What about Timothy’s physical and psychological weaknesses? He had digestive problems so Paul says, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Tim 5:23).
Psychologically, Timothy appears to have struggled with anxiety or fear. Paul tells the Corinthians, “When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am” (1 Cor 16:10). And Paul explains to Timothy,
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. (2 Tim 1:6-8).
Conclusion
What’s the take away from Timothy’s life? He shows us the following:
- The value of being raised in the faith. Timothy probably didn’t have a life-changing conversion story.
- The value of being a faithful co-worker instead of the main leader—would Paul have been nearly as effective without Timothy?
- The importance of carrying out ministry as a team. Paul did not work alone. He worked, traveled, and preached with a close-knit group of co-workers.
After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. For a deep dive into church history and the character of God, see my book Surprised by Hell.