Timothy and Paul
Introduction: As a young man, Timothy joined the Apostle Paul and accompanied him in his travels for a number of years. Sometimes Paul sent Timothy as his messenger to churches in various cities. There is some narrative about Timothy in the book of Acts, and some other details in a few of Paul’s letters. Eventually Paul wrote two letters directly to Timothy to give him encouragement and instruction to use as the leader of a church. The same Greek word is translated as either Timotheus or Timothy, and the name means “honoring God.”
NOTE: Bible passages are from the World English Bible.
A — Paul and Silas Take Timothy with Them
Acts 16 “1 He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him. 3 Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 5 So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”
Comments: As background to the above passage, Paul and Barnabas had preached the gospel at Derbe and Lystra on the first missionary journey after they left Iconium under threats to their lives. Acts chapter 16 records part of the second missionary journey for Paul, but this time Silas was his main companion while Barnabas made a separate journey with John Mark. Timothy’s mother was a Jew described as one who believed, and Timothy was called a disciple. Paul wanted Timothy to join them, so he circumcised him because the Jews which were in the surrounding towns knew that his father was a Greek. Since the early church was composed of both Jews and Gentiles, Paul later wrote to the Galatians to confirm that Gentiles were not required to be circumcised. As Paul, Silas, and the now circumcised Timothy went through the cities, they delivered the decrees to be kept as had been ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. The assemblies were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
B — From Philippi to Thessalonica
Acts 17 “1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.’ 4 Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. 5 But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar.”
Comments: Paul and Silas had been beaten and placed into prison at Philippi without a trial because of hostile actions by Gentiles. After the miraculous event leading to their release from the prison, Paul and his companions left Philippi and traveled on to Thessalonica. Though the complete passages describing all of the events at those two cities have no specific mention of Timothy, the next section will show that Timothy was still among Paul’s companions when Paul left Thessalonica.
C — Silas and Timothy Remain Briefly at Berea
Acts 17 “10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there. 15 But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.”
Comments: When Paul is again threatened by some Jews who pursued him from Thessalonica to Berea, both Silas and Timothy remained at Berea while Paul was escorted to Athens. When Paul reached Athens, he sent those who had conducted him there, back to Berea to tell Silas and Timothy to join him quickly. In the next section, a passage from the first letter to the Thessalonians indicates that Paul had such a strong concern for the Thessalonian believers while he was in Athens, that he sent Timothy back to them as his representative.
D — Timothy Went Back to Thessalonica for Paul
1 Thessalonians 3 “1 Therefore, when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; 5 For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labour would have been in vain. 6 But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you; for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.”
Comments: The opening of the first letter to the Thessalonians has greetings from Paul, Silas (also called Silvanus), and Timothy. In chapter three, Paul reveals that after Timothy had joined him, he sent Timothy from Athens back to Thessalonica because of his concerns for the believers there. Paul was very encouraged by the report Timothy brought back to him, and he stated that in the letter. Timothy continued to have a close relationship with Paul and Silas, as indicated by the opening greeting from all three men again in the second letter written to the Thessalonians.
E — Timothy and Silas Rejoined Paul at Corinth
Acts 18 “1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. 2 He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla. He came to them, 3 and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers. 4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!’”
Comments: When Paul arrived at Corinth after his time in Athens, he became friends with Aquila and his wife Priscilla who were Jews from Italy. Paul lived and worked with them as they shared in the same trade of tent making. Paul reasoned in the synagogue for an unspecified series of Sabbaths before Silas and Timothy joined him from Macedonia. Then Paul became more assertive in declaring that Jesus is the Messiah, and many Jews opposed him. He left the synagogue and preached from a neighboring house, staying in Corinth for about eighteen months. In the second Corinthians letter, Paul states that all three of the men had previously preached Jesus Christ as the Son of God to the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 1 “19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not ‘Yes and no,’ but in him is ‘Yes.’”
F — Paul Again Traveled to Strengthen Churches in Syria
Acts 18 “18 Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. 19 He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch. 23 Having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.”
Comments: Paul left for Syria, but the only persons named to accompany him were Aquila and Priscilla, though it is very likely there were others in his party. Paul did not remain in Ephesus, but traveled on to Caesarea and Antioch, and then through the provinces of Galatia and Phrygia where he had previously ministered with Silas and Timothy.
G — Paul Returns to Ephesus from Galatia and Phrygia
Acts 19 “1 It happened that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus. 8 He entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning the Kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and disobedient, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”
Comments: Paul began his time at Ephesus with Jews in the synagogue, but when the word of the Lord was rejected, he relocated his teaching to another venue and remained there for two years. There is no description of Timothy’s activities while Paul was teaching, but the next section indicates that Timothy was in Ephesus and available for Paul to send through Macedonia.
H — Paul Sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia
Acts 19 “21 Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.’ 22 Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.”
Comments: Paul was planning another circuit through Macedonia and Achaia, and then on to Jerusalem. He also wanted to make a visit to Rome. Paul had at some point sent Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia while he remained in Asia for a time.
I — Timothy Accompanied Paul Again into Asia
Acts 20 “1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 4 These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.”
Comments: While Timothy and Erastus were in Macedonia, Demetrius the silversmith started a large uproar in Ephesus against Paul. When the commotion was calmed down, Paul left Ephesus to join Timothy and Erastus in Macedonia. Acts chapter 20 indicates that Timothy and others accompanied Paul as far as Asia, and actually preceded him until he arrived at Troas. There is no more mention of Timothy in the book of Acts.
J — Timothy Is Mentioned in Paul’s Letters from Rome
Philippians 1:1–2 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants: Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.
Colossians 1:1–2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon 1:1–3 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Comments: The above passages from letters to three separate churches include Timothy in the opening greeting with Paul. In chapter 2 of the Philippians letter, Paul states that he had hoped to send Timothy to Philippi and then hear news from them when Timothy returned. These are three more examples of letters showing Timothy in very close relationship with the Apostle Paul. These three letters are generally accepted as having been written while Paul was at Rome. Paul remained in Rome for at least two years, which would have given Timothy a good length of time to be with Paul, and to serve as his messenger.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, as I consider the string of the details of Timothy’s life, I begin to think on events in my own life when you were providing opportunities for me to learn and grow in your word. Timothy also serves as an example to me of the way you passed leadership from one generation to another, as the Apostle Paul had great affection for Timothy, and confidence in his faith in Christ. Timothy started as a young man traveling with Paul, and he was with Paul during some very tumultuous times in cities of Macedonia. Timothy was not shaken by these events to cause him to leave the work, and later Paul confidently sent Timothy out as his representative to assemblies of believers. Timothy also was part of the beginning of transition from leadership by those distinctly of the Jewish community, to the blend of Jew and Gentile together in the church of God under the New Covenant. I pray that by your Spirit I will be better able to apply these principles to my own life, and that I will endeavor to spread your message of hope of eternal life through faith in Christ. Amen.
Published 8 April 2013