Timothy
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Honoring God”
Paul’s beloved protégé and "son in the faith," a young pastor of Ephesus raised in the Scriptures by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois.
Biography
Timothy was the young pastor and missionary whom the apostle Paul loved as a spiritual son — "my dearly beloved son" (2 Timothy 1:2). He came from Lystra, the son of a Greek father and a believing Jewish mother, Eunice; Paul took him as a companion on his journeys (Acts 16:1–3).
Taught from a child
Timothy's faith had a rich heritage: it "dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice" (2 Timothy 1:5), and "from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures" (2 Timothy 3:15). Though timid and often sick, he served faithfully.
Pastor and recipient of two letters
Paul left Timothy to lead the church at Ephesus and wrote him two letters — 1 and 2 Timothy — full of pastoral charge: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers" (1 Timothy 4:12), and the final exhortation, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). He is among the most beloved of Paul's circle.
Life Timeline
Joins Paul as a missionary companion at Lystra
Charged by Paul to guard the faith and preach the word
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Timothy
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Timothy appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
28 verses in 12 booksActs6 verses
Acts 16:1
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Acts 17:14
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
Acts 17:15
And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Acts 18:5
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. was Christ: or, is the Christ
Acts 19:22
So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
Acts 20:4
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Romans1 verse
Romans 16:21
Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
1 Corinthians3 verses
1 Corinthians 4:17
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
1 Corinthians 16:10
Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
1 Corinthians 16:24
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus.
2 Corinthians2 verses
2 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
2 Corinthians 1:19
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
Philippians2 verses
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Philippians 2:19
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. But: or, Moreover
Colossians1 verse
Colossians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
1 Thessalonians3 verses
1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 3:2
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
1 Thessalonians 3:6
But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
2 Thessalonians1 verse
2 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Timothy4 verses
1 Timothy 1:2
Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Timothy 1:18
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: science: Gr. knowledge
1 Timothy 6:21
Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
2 Timothy2 verses
2 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy 4:22
The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.
Philemon1 verse
Philemon 1:1
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
Hebrews2 verses
Hebrews 13:23
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Hebrews 13:25
Grace be with you all. Amen. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy.
Frequently asked about Timothy
Who was Timothy in the Bible?
Paul’s beloved protégé and "son in the faith," a young pastor of Ephesus raised in the Scriptures by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois.
What does the name Timothy mean?
The name Timothy means “Honoring God”.
What did Timothy do in the Bible?
Timothy served as pastor, evangelist.
Who were Timothy's parents?
Timothy was the child of Eunice.
Where does Timothy appear in the Bible?
Timothy is mentioned 28 times across 12 books: Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Philemon, Hebrews.
What can we learn from Timothy?
The story of Timothy touches on themes of timothy, silas, paul, minister (1) — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Timothy's life.
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