Timothy, (Tim' o-thy = One who honors God) son of a Jewess Eunice, and a Greek father, not named in the Scriptures. Paul chose Timothy as his closer coworker and emissary in his journeys, and, in order to avoid giving to the fanatical Jews an occasion for stumbling, Timothy had to be circumcised.
While very young, Timothy was taught the "Holy Scriptures" by his mother and grandmother Lois.
The first recorded encounter between the two occurs when Paul enters in the Lycaonian Town of Lystra (Acts 16) during his second missionary journey. Timothy was well reported on by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium, to Paul.
As a result of the Divine Operation of God's Spirit, certain Prophecies or Predictions were voiced concerning Timothy. After the Holy Spirit had in this way indicated the future of Timothy, the older men of the congregation joined the apostle Paul in laying their hands upon Timothy, thereby setting him apart for a particular service in connection with God's Plan to the Christian congregation.
Timothy 3 .. "Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while Evil Men and Impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from Whom you learned it and How from childhood you have been acquainted with the Sacred Writings which are Able to Instruct you for Salvation through Faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching in Righteousness, that the Man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Timothy 4 ... "I charge you (Timothy) in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to Judge the Living and the Dead, and by His Appearing and His Kingdom: 'Preach the Word, Be urgent in season and out of season, Convince, Rebuke, and Exhort, Be unfailing in Patience and in Teaching. "
"For the Time is coming when people will not Endure Sound Teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves Teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the Truth and wander ...' "
In the First Letter, Paul urges Timothy to remain in Ephesus to deal with these False Teachers and to establish proper patterns of worship and of community order.
While at Ephesus, Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians wrote: "I am sending Timothy to you, as he is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord; and he will put you in mind of my methods in connection with Christ Jesus, just as I am teaching everywhere in every congregation."
In the Second Letter, written during Paul's imprisonment, is primarily a Letter of exhortation and encouragement, in a style of a final statement. Paul warns Timothy again to avoid becoming entangled in controversies, but to continue to be bold in opposing false teaching. In contrast to the First Letter, Timothy is here urged not to remain in Ephesus, but to return to Paul as soon as possible.
Paul's language in describing Timothy emphasizes the special relationship of Trust which developed between the two over the course of their association. Timothy was fully capable of handling these weighty responsibilities, having proving himself by laboring eleven years or more in close association with Paul. Regarding him Paul said, "I have no one else of a disposition like his who will genuinely care for the things pertaining to ... You know the proof he gave of himself, that like a child with a father he slaved with me in furtherance of the Good news." (Phil.2). And to Timothy he wrote: "I never leave off remembering you, ... as I remember your tears ... For I recollect the Faith which is in you without any hypocrisy." (2 Tim. 1).
Although having to contend with frequent illness because of stomach trouble, Timothy willingly expended himself in behalf of others. His fine qualities endeared him to the apostle Paul, who very much desired Timothy's association when facing imminent Death. Being relatively young, he was not a proud man and appreciated his limitations.
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