Bible Characters · Early Church

Timothy

Paul's true child in the faith, the young co-worker from Lystra whose sincere faith had lived first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, and who received Paul's last surviving letter.

Early Church28 references in 12 booksIn theological review

The facts, as Scripture gives them

Lived
Dates not given in Scripture.
Region
Lystra in Galatia; he travelled with Paul through Asia Minor and Greece, and was left in charge at Ephesus. (Acts 16:1; 1 Timothy 1:3)
Standing
His mother was a Jewish woman who was a believer; his father was a Greek. (Acts 16:1)

Key verses

Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12 (BSB)

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.

2 Timothy 1:5 (BSB)

What they did

  • Was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium, and joined Paul's team there. (Acts 16:1-2)
  • Was circumcised by Paul because of the Jews in those places, though his father was a Greek. (Acts 16:3)
  • Was sent by Paul from Athens back to Thessalonica to establish and exhort the young church in its faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:2)
  • Was left by Paul at Ephesus to charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine. (1 Timothy 1:3)
  • Received Paul's charge: let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example. (1 Timothy 4:12)
  • Received Paul's final letter, with its summons to come to him before winter. (2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 4:21)

Family

Father
Not named in Scripture; a Greek (Acts 16:1)
Mother
Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5)
Grandmother
Lois (2 Timothy 1:5)

Connected to

  • Paul: His father in the faith, who called him his beloved child (1 Timothy 1:2; Acts 16:1-3)
  • Lois: His grandmother, in whom sincere faith first dwelt (2 Timothy 1:5)
  • Eunice: His mother, from whom his faith came (2 Timothy 1:5)
  • Silas: His fellow traveller with Paul from Lystra onward (Acts 17:14-15)

Mentioned in

Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Philemon, Hebrews.

Every reference (28)

Acts 16:1 · Acts 17:14 · Acts 17:15 · Acts 18:5 · Acts 19:22 · Acts 20:4 · Romans 16:21 · 1 Corinthians 4:17 · 1 Corinthians 16:10 · 1 Corinthians 16:24 · 2 Corinthians 1:1 · 2 Corinthians 1:19 · Philippians 1:1 · Philippians 2:19 · Colossians 1:1 · 1 Thessalonians 1:1 · 1 Thessalonians 3:2 · 1 Thessalonians 3:6 · 2 Thessalonians 1:1 · 1 Timothy 1:2 · 1 Timothy 1:18 · 1 Timothy 6:20 · 1 Timothy 6:21 · 2 Timothy 1:2 · 2 Timothy 4:22 · Philemon 1:1 · Hebrews 13:23 · Hebrews 13:25

Review status: in-theological-review. Every Contend profile passes a human theological review against the Statement of Faith before it is published as approved teaching. This profile is in that queue. Sources: Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain), verified verse by verse. Name and reference data: STEP Bible (TIPNR), Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0.