The name Τιμόθεος (Timothy) is a combination of τιμή (“value”) + θεός
(“God”), meaning “of value to God.” He was a mixed-race (Jewish-Greek) native
of the Lycaonian city of Lystra in the southern Galatia province of eastern
Asia Minor (modern-day central Turkey). While
Timothy’s father was Greek, his mother Eunice was Jewish, as was his
grandmother Lois (Acts 16:1; 2 Tim. 1:5). Even though he had learned the holy
scriptures from childhood (2 Tim. 3:15), he was not circumcised presumably because of his father.
Timothy was converted to Christ probably
during the first missionary campaign of Barnabas and Paul in southern Galatia, as
reference is made to “the disciples” in Lystra
(Acts 14:20, 22), one of whom is later identified as Timothy (Acts 16:1).1
The young man’s faithfulness to the Lord and competence in the Lord’s work were
observable enough for the brethren in the area to speak well of him (Acts
16:2). When Paul returned to Lystra early in the year 50, he was so impressed
with Timothy that he invited the young man to join his mission team (Acts 16:3a).
However, at least three requisites served as potential obstacles: (a) Timothy’s
willingness; (b) his family’s support; and (c) circumcision.
As new converts,
Timothy and his mother witnessed first-hand the severe maltreatment of those
proclaiming the gospel in an anti-Christian world (Acts 14:19-20) and had even been
assured, “through many afflictions we must enter the kingdom of God” (v. 22;
cf. 2 Tim. 3:10-12).2 Nevertheless, Timothy readily joined Paul’s
mission team and submitted to the painful surgery (Acts 16:3b), with no
reported resistance from his family.
Since Timothy was half-Jewish, it was
culturally expedient for him to be circumcised, thereby enhancing his
effectiveness in advancing the gospel among fellow ethnic Jews (cf. 1 Cor.
7:19; 9:19-23). Titus, on the other hand, was a full-blooded Greek whose
concession to this Jewish rite would have compromised the Christian faith and
set a dangerous precedent (see Gal. 2:3-5).
How old was Timothy
at this time? Later described as Paul’s “child” [τέκνον] (1 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 2:22; 1 Tim.
1:2, 18; 2 Tim. 1:2; 2:1), he was obviously younger than the apostle. About thirteen or fourteen years after the partnership began,
mention is made of Timothy’s “youth” [νεότης] (1 Tim. 4:12). While this
descriptive term does not indicate an actual age, it was applied to young men
of military age (ca. 20-45),3 and the comparable expression “young man” [νεανίας]
(cf. Acts 7:58) referred to one between the ages of about 24 and 40 (BAGD 534).
Therefore, when Timothy became Paul’s missionary apprentice, he was probably in
his 20s.4
Of Value to Paul
Timothy became one of
Paul’s closest companions and is mentioned by name in the openings of more Pauline letters than
any of the apostle’s other coworkers (2 Cor. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Thess.
1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; Philem. 1). Timothy appears to have played a prominent role
in the production of 2 Corinthians, Colossians, and the Thessalonian letters.
However, even though he is named with Paul in
the opening verses of Philippians and Philemon, the prolific use of the “I”
form of address throughout the letters argues against any substantial
contribution Timothy may have made, though he could have served as amanuensis.5 Two of Paul’s letters are
addressed to Timothy, and the only writings in the Pauline corpus wherein
Timothy is not named are the letters to the Galatians, the Ephesians, and
Titus.6 He is also mentioned by name in Heb. 13:23.
Timothy worked with Paul in southern
Galatia (Acts 16:1-6), in the Macedonian cities of Philippi, Thessalonica, and
Berea (Acts 16:7–17:14), in the Achaian cities of Athens and Corinth (Acts
17:15–18:5; Rom. 16:21; 2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Thess. 3:1-2), and in the Asian cities
of Ephesus (Acts 19:22; 1 Cor. 4:17) and Troas (Acts 16:8-11; 20:4-5). He also
journeyed with Paul from Corinth to Jerusalem with financial assistance for
needy saints (Acts 20:4).
Timothy served as a dependable representative
of the apostle to the churches of Macedonia (Acts 19:22), including the cities
of Philippi (Phil. 2:19) and Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:2); also to Corinth (1
Cor. 4:17; 16:10). He was with Paul in Rome (Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Philem. 1), served
as an evangelist in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:2-3; 2 Tim. 4:5), and at some point was imprisoned
but later released (Heb. 13:23).
Commendations
of Timothy
Whenever Timothy was sent as Paul’s emissary,
he was afforded elaborate commendations (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-11; Phil. 2:19-24; 1
Thess. 3:2). Seeing
that he was already known by the churches to whom these letters were written,
why were these extensive acclamations given? In view of his comparative youth
and apparent timidity and reserve (cf. 1 Cor. 16:10-11; 1 Tim. 4:12; 2 Tim.
1:7-8), it would help bolster his confidence and promote acceptance and
respect. It would further justify Paul’s absence and remind these readers that
Timothy is an authoritative representative in his own right, whose admonitions
should be heeded. Titus, on the other hand, did not need such hefty
commendations (2 Cor. 7:15; 8:17; 12:18).
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 Timothy was regarded as
Paul’s “child” [τέκνον] (1 Cor. 4:17;
Phil. 2:22; 1 Tim. 1:2, 18; 2 Tim. 1:2; 2:1), not only emphasizing the
closeness of their relationship but perhaps identifying Timothy as one of the
apostle’s early converts (compare 1 Cor. 3:1-2; 4:14-17; Phil. 2:22; Philem.
10).
2 Unless otherwise noted,
scripture quotations are the author’s own translation.
3 Herodotus,
The Histories 4.3.1; 9.12.2;
Thucydides, The Peloponnesian Way
2.8.1. The minimum age of military service in ancient Israel was 20
years old (Num. 1:3, 20, 22, 24, etc.). In the Roman army, the youngest
recruits were around 18-20 years of age, serving at least twenty years plus
five more as reservists (see James Lloyd, “Roman Army,” Ancient History Encyclopedia [30 April 2013], <web>).
4 According to a 5th-century
tradition (Acts of Timothy), Timothy
was killed in the year 97 at the age of 80. If true, this means Timothy was
about 33 years old when his partnership with Paul began, and he was in his late
40s when Paul refers to his “youth” (1 Tim. 4:12).
5 See K. L. Moore, A Critical Introduction to the NT
246-53. Of all the Pauline writings, the letters
to Philemon and the Philippians have the fewest first person plurals.
6 In the letter to the
Galatians, Timothy may have been included among “all the brothers with” Paul
(Gal. 1:2). When Ephesians was written, Timothy had probably been sent away to
Philippi (Phil. 2:19-23), and when the letter to Titus was written, Timothy would
have been left behind to work with the saints in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3).
Related Posts: Titus, Timothy Part 2, Part 3
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