Timothy

Also known as: Timotheus / son Timothy · Family: Christian · Role: disciple · First appears: Acts 16

At Lystra, Timothy—also called Timotheus—joined Paul and was circumcised because the Jews in those quarters knew that his father was Greek. He remained in Berea with Silas while Paul went onward, then was commanded to join him in Athens; later, Paul sent him with Erastus to Macedonia. Timothy was identified as Paul’s fellow worker and was sent to remind believers of Paul’s ways in Christ, being called Paul’s “beloved son, and faithful in the Lord.” He was also named with Silvanus in preaching Jesus, and with Paul and Epaphras in service.

With God, Timothy shared the comfort, deliverance, and sealing in Christ spoken of in 2 Corinthians. He was sent as a minister of God and fellow laborer to establish and comfort believers concerning their faith, later returning with good news of their faith, love, and remembrance. In Ephesus, Paul charged him to reject other doctrine, teach faithfully, attend to reading, exhortation, and doctrine, and use the spiritual gift given through prophecy and the laying on of hands.

Paul further instructed Timothy about widows, elders, accusations, rebuke, impartial judgment, purity, and his infirmities, telling him to use a little wine. He was commanded to flee greed, pursue righteousness, faith, love, patience, and meekness, fight faithfully, keep the commandment, and guard what had been entrusted to him: “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings.” In 2 Timothy, Paul reminded him to stir up God’s gift, not be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus, endure the gospel’s afflictions, and hold fast the sound words he had heard.

Timothy’s faith was associated with his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia sent greetings to him, and later Timothy was set at liberty.