Who Was Timothy in the Bible? Paul's Coworker and Son in the Faith

Timothy was a young believer from Lystra who became the apostle Paul's closest coworker (Acts 16:1-3). His mother was a Jewish believer and his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). He traveled with Paul, was sent on missions to churches in Thessalonica and Corinth (Paul also planned to send him to Philippi), and later led the church in Ephesus (1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:19; 1 Timothy 1:3). Two New Testament letters, 1 and 2 Timothy, are addressed to him.

Paul called him his true son in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2). Timothy's name also appears as co-sender of six of Paul's letters.

Timothy Quick Facts

Category	Details
Name meaning	Often understood as "honoring God" or "honored by God" (Greek)
Testament	New Testament
Key books	Acts 16-20; 1 and 2 Timothy; Philippians 2:19-22
Time period	About AD 48-67, during Paul's missionary journeys and imprisonments (traditional dating)
Family	Mother Eunice, grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5); a Greek father (Acts 16:1)
Known for	Traveling with Paul, leading the church at Ephesus, and receiving two of Paul's letters

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Who Was Timothy in the Bible? His Family and Upbringing

Timothy lived in Lystra, one of the Lycaonian cities (Acts 14:6; 16:1). Paul and Barnabas first preached there on their first missionary journey. In Lystra Paul healed a man who had been lame from birth, and he was later stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:8-10, 14:19-20). Paul later reminded Timothy that he knew about the persecutions Paul endured in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra (2 Timothy 3:10-11).

Paul credited Timothy's faith to the women of his family:

"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5)

Paul also wrote that Timothy had known the Holy Scriptures from infancy, which were able to make him wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

Joining Paul

When Paul returned to Lystra on his second journey, Timothy was already a disciple. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him (Acts 16:1-2). Paul wanted to take him along, so he circumcised him because the Jews in that area knew his father was Greek (Acts 16:3). As they traveled, they delivered the decisions of the Jerusalem council to the churches (Acts 16:4).

Timothy received a spiritual gift through prophecy when the elders laid their hands on him (1 Timothy 4:14). Paul also refers to the gift of God that was in Timothy through the laying on of Paul's own hands (2 Timothy 1:6), and to prophecies once made about him (1 Timothy 1:18).

The team crossed into Macedonia and reached Philippi, where Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, believed and was baptized with her household (Acts 16:11-15). In that part of Acts the narrator begins writing "we," which tradition takes to mean that Luke had joined the group (Acts 16:10).

Timothy's Missions for Paul

Berea, Athens, and Thessalonica

When opposition forced Paul to leave Berea, Silas and Timothy stayed behind (Acts 17:14). Paul later sent Timothy from Athens back to Thessalonica to strengthen and encourage the believers there, describing him as a brother and co-worker in God's service (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2). Timothy returned with good news of their faith and love (1 Thessalonians 3:6). Silas and Timothy rejoined Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5).

Corinth

During Paul's long stay in Ephesus, he sent Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia (Acts 19:22). He told the Corinthians he was sending Timothy, his beloved and faithful son in the Lord, to remind them of Paul's way of life in Christ (1 Corinthians 4:17). He asked them to make sure Timothy had nothing to fear among them, because he was doing the Lord's work (1 Corinthians 16:10).

Philippi

While in prison, Paul hoped to send Timothy to the Philippians soon (Philippians 2:19). He wrote about him this way:

"I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare." (Philippians 2:20)

Paul added that Timothy had proved himself and had served with him in the gospel as a son with his father (Philippians 2:22).

A Constant Companion

Timothy was among the men who traveled with Paul from Greece toward Jerusalem at the end of his third journey (Acts 20:4). Paul sent greetings from Timothy, whom he called his co-worker, in his letter to the Romans (Romans 16:21). Timothy is named with Paul in the opening of 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon (2 Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1:1).

Leading the Church in Ephesus

Paul urged Timothy to stay in Ephesus to command certain people not to teach false doctrines (1 Timothy 1:3). The first letter to Timothy gives instructions for worship, the qualifications of overseers and deacons, care for widows, and warnings about false teaching and the love of money (1 Timothy 2-3; 5:3-16; 6:3-10).

Timothy was young for this responsibility, and Paul addressed it directly:

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)

Paul also showed concern for Timothy's health, telling him to stop drinking only water and to use a little wine because of his stomach and frequent illnesses (1 Timothy 5:23).

Paul's Last Letter

Second Timothy is traditionally regarded as Paul's final letter, written from prison in Rome. Paul said he was already being poured out like a drink offering and that the time of his departure was near (2 Timothy 4:6). He urged Timothy to come to him quickly and to arrive before winter (2 Timothy 4:9, 4:21).

Paul noted that Demas had deserted him, Titus had gone to Dalmatia, and only Luke was with him. He asked Timothy to bring Mark, along with the cloak he had left at Troas and his scrolls (2 Timothy 4:10-13).

Later Mentions and Tradition

The letter to the Hebrews tells readers that Timothy had been released, apparently from prison (Hebrews 13:23). The Bible does not record Timothy's death. The church historian Eusebius records the tradition that Timothy was the first bishop of Ephesus; this is church tradition, not part of Scripture.

Key Lessons From Timothy's Life

• Faith is often passed on at home. Timothy's faith first lived in his grandmother and mother (2 Timothy 1:5).
• Youth is not a barrier to faithful leadership. Paul told Timothy to set an example rather than be looked down on (1 Timothy 4:12).
• Reliable service builds trust. Paul sent Timothy to churches in his place because he had proved himself (Philippians 2:22).
• Sound teaching must be guarded. Paul charged Timothy to guard what had been entrusted to him (1 Timothy 6:20).

Where Timothy Appears in the Bible

• Acts 16:1-5; 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4: Timothy joins and travels with Paul
• Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10-11: Greetings and his mission to Corinth
• Philippians 2:19-23: Paul's commendation
• 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6: His mission to Thessalonica
• 1 and 2 Timothy: Paul's letters to him
• Hebrews 13:23: His release

The letters to Timothy and Titus are often grouped as the Pastoral Epistles. They appear among Paul's letters in the standard order of the books of the Bible, after 2 Thessalonians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Timothy in the Bible?

Timothy was a disciple from Lystra who traveled with the apostle Paul and served as his coworker (Acts 16:1-3). Paul called him his true son in the faith and wrote two New Testament letters to him (1 Timothy 1:2).

Who were Timothy's mother and grandmother?

Timothy's mother was Eunice and his grandmother was Lois. Paul said the sincere faith that lived in them also lived in Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5).

Was Timothy Paul's son?

Timothy was not Paul's biological son. Paul called him his true son in the faith and said Timothy served with him like a son with his father (1 Timothy 1:2; Philippians 2:22).

Why did Paul circumcise Timothy?

Acts says Paul circumcised Timothy because of the Jews in that area, who all knew his father was a Greek (Acts 16:3).

How old was Timothy?

The Bible does not give Timothy's age. Paul told him not to let anyone look down on him because he was young, which shows he was young for his role in Ephesus (1 Timothy 4:12).