Doctrine of Timothy

1. Timothy (venerating God) was a convert and friend of Paul the apostle.

2. Timothy was the son of a mixed marriage that, though unlawful, were frequent in the later
periods of Jewish history. His mother was a Jewess and his father, whose name is not known,
was a Greek (Acts 16:1-3).

3. The biblical portrait of Timothy's early life indicates a godly mother and grandmother, full of
compassion and faith who carefully instructed him in the Scriptures to place in his heart the
hope for the Messiah of Israel (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15).

4. Because he lived in Lystra Timothy was far removed from the larger colonies of Israelite
families.

5. Nevertheless, he was brought up in a thoroughly Jewish environment with the limitation

being he had not been circumcised. According to Jewish belief this meant he was not within
the sphere of God’s ancient covenant.

6. In the providence of the Lord Timothy came under the ministry of Paul when he made his
first visit to that city (Acts 16:1).

7. At that time Timothy was probably converted (Acts 14:6; cf. 2 Timothy 1:5).

8. While no mention is made of Timothy until the time of Paul's second visit it is probable that
his spiritual life and growth in grace and knowledge of Christ took place under the care of the
elders of the church (Acts 14:23).

9. The spiritual maturity of Timothy was openly recognized. He was considered to be especially
suited for the work of the ministry and was ordained to that end. .

 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 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy,
with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

10. So impressed was Paul with Timothy he desired to have him as a traveling companion.

11. In an unusual act of social expediency Paul circumcised Timothy in order to take away a
point of controversy and in order to have a more effective ministry
  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 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him
because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a
Greek.

12. The action of Paul in circumcising Timothy has been considered inconsistent with his
principle and conduct in refusing to circumcise Titus.

 Galatians 2:3-4 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be
circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in
privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into
bondage:

13. Some Bible scholars see a difference. One author notes, "The two cases are, however,
entirely different. In the latter there was an attempt to enforce circumcision as necessary to
salvation; in the former it was performed as a voluntary act, and simply on prudential
grounds" (Haley, Alleged Discrepancies, p. 260).

14. Even if the act of circumcision was voluntary and for the sake of gospel expediency the
question still arises whether or not the ritual should have been performed. The church has
always struggled with cultural influences and how to respond in an appropriate manner.

15. Once Timothy united with Paul officially he became one of the apostle’s most faithful
companions.

16. Together they, along with Silvanus and probably Luke also, journeyed to Philippi (Acts
16:12).

17. In the city of Philippi the young evangelist was already conspicuous for his spirituality and
religious fervor.

 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. 20 For I have no man likeminded,
who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are
Jesus Christ's. 22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath
served with me in the gospel.

18. Apparently Timothy remained at Philippi to guide the infant church.

19. Later Timothy will appear at Berea, where he remained with Silas after Paul's departure
(Acts 17:14), joining Paul at Athens.

20. From Athens Timothy returned to Thessalonica because he had unusual gifts of compassion
and teaching.

 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:

21. After serving in Thessalonica, Timothy left for Corinth for his name is united with Paul's in
the opening words of both letters written from that city to the Thessalonians.

 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.

 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the
Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

22. Of the five following years of his life, there is no record.

23. Timothy is next mentioned as being sent forward to do advance work when the apostle was
considering a long journey that was to include Macedonia, Achaia, Jerusalem, and Rome.

 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.

24. It is probable that Timothy returned by the same route and met Paul according to a previous
arrangement.

 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.

25. If Timothy united with Paul at Rome then he was with the apostle when the second epistle
was written to the church of Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:1).

26. Timothy then returned with the apostle to Corinth from which place he sent greeting to the
disciples whom he had known personally at Corinth but who had since gone to Rome. So the
letters crossed back and forth.

 Romans 16:21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my
kinsmen, salute you.
27. When Paul decided to visit Philippi, Timothy went ahead with some friends to await for the
apostle’s arrival on a different ship.

 Acts 20:3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was
about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. 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. 5
These going before tarried for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the
days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode
seven days.

28. No further mention is made of Timothy until he reunited with the apostle, probably soon after
his arrival in Rome.

29. Timothy was with Paul when the epistles to the Philippians, the Colossians, and Philemon
were written (Philippians 1:1; 2:19; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1).

30. It appears from 1 Timothy 1:3 that Timothy and Paul, after the release of the apostle from his
imprisonment, revisited proconsular Asia.

31. Then, the apostle continued his journey to Macedonia while Timothy remained, half-
reluctantly, even weeping at the separation (2 Timothy 1:4), at Ephesus to stop if possible the
outgrowth of heresy and licentiousness that had sprung up there.

32. In the church of Ephesus Timothy had to perform the following pastoral duties.

 Timothy had to exercise rule over presbyters, some older than himself. 1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 Timothy also had to give righteous judgments. 1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but
intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an
elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin
rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

 Timothy had to regulate the giving of alms and the treatment of certain women. 1
Timothy 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or
nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that
is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate,
trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that
liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge, that they
may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own
house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken
into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well
reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers,
 if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently
followed every good work.

 Timothy had to ordain overseers and deacons. 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a
man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be
blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to
hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but
patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his
children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own
house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up
with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good
report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not
greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let
these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let
the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good
degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

33. Because these pastoral responsibilities were of grave consequences Paul was anxious that
Timothy remain loyal to the cause of Christ. Paul expressed his desire to see him again.

 2 Timothy 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

 2 Timothy 4:21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and
Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

 It is not clear whether Timothy was able to fulfill the apostle’s last requests.

 According to an old tradition, Timothy continued to act as bishop of Ephesus and

suffered martyrdom under Domitian (Titus Flavius Domitianus; AD 24 October 51 – 18
September 96, Roman emperor, AD 81 – 96), or Nerva (Marcus Cocceius Nerva,
November 8, 35 –January 27, 98); Roman emperor AD 96–98).