Evangelists and missionarie · People associated with book · New Testament
The Story of Timothy
Also: Timotheus, Timotheo (Kiswahili)
Young co-worker of Paul from Lystra, to whom two New Testament letters are addressed.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Timothy, a disciple at Lystra whose mother was a Jewish believer and whose father was Greek, was well spoken of by the believers, and Paul took him along on his journeys. Acts 16:1–3
He had known the Scriptures from childhood, taught by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. Paul sent him to strengthen churches and called him his true child in the faith. 2 Timothy 1:52 Timothy 3:151 Thessalonians 3:1–31 Timothy 1:2
The letters 1 and 2 Timothy are addressed to him; they are not presented as written by him. He is named as co-sender of several of Paul's letters. 1 Timothy 1:1–22 Timothy 1:1–2Philippians 1:1
Told in: Acts · 1 Thessalonians · 1 Corinthians · 1 Timothy · 2 Timothy
Life at a glance
- Home
- Lystra Acts 16:1
- Family
- Mother Eunice, a Jewish believer; grandmother Lois; father a Greek Acts 16:12 Timothy 1:5
- Relationship with Paul
- Paul's true child in the faith and fellow worker 1 Timothy 1:2Romans 16:21
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Timothy
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Joins Paul at Lystra
Paul wants Timothy to go with him and circumcises him because of the Jews in the area; the churches are strengthened.
Left at Berea; sent to Thessalonica
Acts 17:13–15 · 1 Thessalonians 3:1–6
Silas and Timothy stay in Berea; later Paul sends Timothy back to strengthen the Thessalonians, and Timothy brings good news.
Sent to Corinth and Macedonia
1 Corinthians 4:17 · Acts 19:22
Paul sends Timothy to remind the Corinthians of his ways in Christ, and later to Macedonia.
With Paul on the way to Jerusalem
Timothy is among those who travel with Paul from Greece toward Jerusalem.
More about this event
People: Paul
Letters addressed to Timothy
1 Timothy 1:1–7 · 2 Timothy 1:1–7
1 Timothy charges him to stay in Ephesus and guard sound teaching; 2 Timothy urges him to rekindle the gift of God and to come soon.
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Timothy. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Direct reference
- Romans 16:21 — Timothy my fellow worker.
- Philippians 2:19–22 — I have no one else like him.
- Hebrews 13:23 — Our brother Timothy has been released.
Family and relationships
- PaulMentor; calls him his true child in the faith1 Timothy 1:2
- SilasFellow workerActs 17:14
- EuniceMother2 Timothy 1:5
- LoisGrandmother2 Timothy 1:5
Books associated with Timothy
- 1 Timothy Addressed to them
Addressed to Timothy. The letter names Paul as its author (authorship debated by scholars); Timothy is the recipient, not the author. 1 Timothy 1:2
- 2 Timothy Addressed to them
Addressed to Timothy; not written by him. 2 Timothy 1:2
- 2 Corinthians Named as co-sender 2 Corinthians 1:1
- Philippians Named as co-sender Philippians 1:1
- Colossians Named as co-sender Colossians 1:1
- 1 Thessalonians Named as co-sender 1 Thessalonians 1:1
- 2 Thessalonians Named as co-sender 2 Thessalonians 1:1
- Philemon Named as co-sender Philemon 1
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
MentoringFaithfulness
- What does Paul urge Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12?
- Who taught Timothy the faith (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15)?
Read offline
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