Keraia
People

Timothy

Timothy was a young disciple and co-worker of Paul, who accompanied him on his missionary journeys and later served as a pastor.
MaleNew Testament eraNew Testament12 books46 verses

Summary

A man living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Acts 16:1; referred to as Timothy (Τιμόθεος); his mother was Eunice.

Profile

Timothy traveled with Paul for much of Paul's missionary work. He was one of Paul's most loved and trusted helpers. Paul wrote two of his last letters to Timothy. At that time, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus, near the end of Paul's life.

Timothy had a devout mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). The Christians in his hometown, Lystra, and nearby Iconium respected him highly. He joined Paul's missionary team during Paul's second journey. Paul mentions prophetic words that confirmed Timothy's selection. Timothy received a special gifting for service through the laying on of hands by the elders and Paul (1 Timothy 1:18; 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6). To respect the Jews in the area, Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:1–3). Paul did this so that Timothy would be accepted by the Jewish people they wanted to teach about Jesus.

Over the next fifteen years, Paul sent Timothy on special missions to various churches (Acts 19:22; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10–11; Philippians 2:19–23; 1 Thessalonians 3:1–6; 1 Timothy 1:3; see also Acts 17:14–15; 18:5). Paul included Timothy’s name as coauthor in several of his letters (2 Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1:1). Paul clearly had a close relationship with Timothy and respected him greatly (see Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 6:11; 2 Timothy 1:2). As Paul neared the end of his life and awaited his sentence in prison, he strongly desired to see Timothy (2 Timothy 1:3–4). Among all Paul’s coworkers, Timothy is especially praised for his selfless concern for Jesus and his people (Philippians 2:20–22).

Paul’s second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy) was written shortly before Paul was killed. In this letter, he encouraged Timothy to be bold and fearless in sharing the good news about Jesus. He urged Timothy to be willing to suffer for Jesus (2 Timothy 1:8; 2:1–3; 4:1–2, 5). This was a strong message for someone who might have been naturally timid (see 2 Timothy 1:6–7). Timothy himself seems to have become a prisoner later on (Hebrews 13:23).

Timothy was a great example of serving Jesus in humble and unnoticed ways. He devoted himself selflessly and focused on the work of Jesus and his people wherever help was needed. He reminds believers to become strong and effective witnesses for Jesus.

Passages for Further Study

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

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

Timothy (Person) Timotheus

Family members

Father

Timothy's father

Mother

Eunice

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 18 verses that refer to Timothy without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Acts 16:1
    Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father.
  2. Acts 17:14
    The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
  3. Acts 17:15
    Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
  4. Acts 18:5
    And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
  5. Acts 19:22
    He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed for a time in the province of Asia.
  6. Acts 20:4
    Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
  7. Romans 16:21
    Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen.
  8. 1 Corinthians 4:17
    That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
  9. 1 Corinthians 16:10
    If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
  10. 1 Corinthians 16:11Referred to, not named
    No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers.
  11. 1 Corinthians 16:24
    My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
  12. 2 Corinthians 1:1
    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 the saints throughout Achaia:
  13. 2 Corinthians 1:19
    For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.”
  14. Philippians 1:1
    Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
  15. Philippians 2:19
    Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing.
  16. Philippians 2:22Referred to, not named
    But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel.
  17. Philippians 2:23Referred to, not named
    So I hope to send him as soon as I see what happens with me.
  18. Philippians 2:29Referred to, not named
    Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
  19. Colossians 1:1
    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
  20. Colossians 2:13Referred to, not named
    When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,
  21. Colossians 2:14Referred to, not named
    …having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!
  22. Colossians 4:3Referred to, not named
    …as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
  23. Colossians 4:8Referred to, not named
    I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
  24. 1 Thessalonians 1:1
    Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
  25. 1 Thessalonians 3:2
    We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
  26. 1 Thessalonians 3:6
    But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
  27. 2 Thessalonians 1:1
    Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
  28. 1 Timothy 1:2
    To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
  29. 1 Timothy 1:3Referred to, not named
    As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines
  30. 1 Timothy 1:18
    Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,
  31. 1 Timothy 6:20
    O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”
  32. 1 Timothy 6:21
    …which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.
  33. 2 Timothy 1:2
    To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
  34. 2 Timothy 1:3Referred to, not named
    I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.
  35. 2 Timothy 1:4Referred to, not named
    Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
  36. 2 Timothy 1:5Referred to, not named
    I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.
  37. 2 Timothy 1:6Referred to, not named
    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.
  38. 2 Timothy 1:8Referred to, not named
    So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
  39. 2 Timothy 1:13Referred to, not named
    Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
  40. 2 Timothy 1:14Referred to, not named
    Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
  41. 2 Timothy 1:15Referred to, not named
    You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
  42. 2 Timothy 1:18Referred to, not named
    May the Lord grant Onesiphorus His mercy on that day. You know very well how much he ministered to me in Ephesus.
  43. 2 Timothy 4:22
    The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
  44. Philemon 1:1
    Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker,
  45. Hebrews 13:23
    Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
  46. Hebrews 13:25
    Grace be with all of you.