Paul and Timothy: Friends and Colleagues in Ministry
Timothy is our patron saint. The name Timothy comes from the Greek word meaning “honoring God” or “honored by God.” What do we know about him and his ministry?
From what we can glean from the Book of Acts, Paul and Timothy were clearly very close friends and colleagues in ministry. Timothy’s home was Lystra in the province of Galatia, part of present-day Turkey. Paul speaks warmly of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, noting their faith and piety; this leads many to believe that Paul stayed in Timothy’s home sometime.
Paul and Timothy joined forces during Paul’s second missionary journey when again he came to Lystra:
Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek (Acts 16:1-3).
From what we can glean from the Book of Acts, Paul and Timothy were clearly very close friends and colleagues in ministry. Timothy’s home was Lystra in the province of Galatia, part of present-day Turkey. Paul speaks warmly of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, noting their faith and piety; this leads many to believe that Paul stayed in Timothy’s home sometime.
Paul and Timothy joined forces during Paul’s second missionary journey when again he came to Lystra:
Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek (Acts 16:1-3).
Paul was significantly older than Timothy, so it seems Paul became a father figure to the young minister. In Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, he writes, “But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel” (Philippians 2:22). This is only one of several times Paul uses his father-son language about his relationship with Timothy. Timothy was young enough that Paul was concerned he would be looked down upon and his authority questioned; he tells Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12). Paul also had Timothy circumcised so that his Greek ancestry wouldn’t be a liability as he worked with Jewish people during this transitional time in the early church.
Timothy is not only a loving “son” to Paul, but he’s also a trusted representative of Paul, who would send Timothy to deliver his epistles and help churches deal with various controversies and questions. In one case, Paul sent Timothy to Corinth to try to solve the contentious problems there, and to check on the church in Thessalonica. And when Paul is imprisoned, it’s Timothy who comes to his side.
Timothy is named as the co-author in six of Paul’s letters, which shows the depth of Paul’s trust in Timothy, not just as a colleague, but as a Christian teacher, pastor, and evangelist.
Timothy is not only a loving “son” to Paul, but he’s also a trusted representative of Paul, who would send Timothy to deliver his epistles and help churches deal with various controversies and questions. In one case, Paul sent Timothy to Corinth to try to solve the contentious problems there, and to check on the church in Thessalonica. And when Paul is imprisoned, it’s Timothy who comes to his side.
Timothy is named as the co-author in six of Paul’s letters, which shows the depth of Paul’s trust in Timothy, not just as a colleague, but as a Christian teacher, pastor, and evangelist.
At the beginning of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he tells him to stay in Ephesus; tradition tells us Timothy was the first bishop of that city. Timothy was likely jailed for his faith at least once, as the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews mentions that Timothy has been “set free” (13:23).
Paul famously tells Timothy, “No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Timothy 5:23). As a result, Timothy is considered the patron saint of stomach and intestinal problems.
Tradition holds that Timothy died around AD 97 at age 80 as a martyr, stoned to death as he tried to halt a pagan procession honoring the goddess Diana by preaching the gospel.
Paul famously tells Timothy, “No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Timothy 5:23). As a result, Timothy is considered the patron saint of stomach and intestinal problems.
Tradition holds that Timothy died around AD 97 at age 80 as a martyr, stoned to death as he tried to halt a pagan procession honoring the goddess Diana by preaching the gospel.
St. Paul’s Pastoral Letters
The last few letters attributed to Paul in the New Testament are called “The Pastoral Epistles.” They are all written to individuals rather than churches—Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
Paul founded many of the churches to whom he wrote letters, and then he selected others like Timothy to assume the role of pastor in various places. As a result, Paul became a pastor to these pastors and wrote them epistles (letters) with instructions on how to lead their congregations.
Most scholars doubt that the Apostle Paul himself wrote these letters, at least in the versions passed down to us. For one thing, the detailed church hierarchy the writer references seems too elaborate for the times when Paul lived. There are theological and stylistic ways that these pastoral letters differ from those we do believe Paul wrote.
Even so, these letters are warmly personal, especially the two written to Timothy, so the two must have had a close connection. Most likely, these letters were embellished by later editors, but were based on authentic letters from Paul to Timothy. At any rate, these pastoral letters ended up in the Bibles we read today, and they have been used for centuries for the encouragement and edification of the church.
Paul founded many of the churches to whom he wrote letters, and then he selected others like Timothy to assume the role of pastor in various places. As a result, Paul became a pastor to these pastors and wrote them epistles (letters) with instructions on how to lead their congregations.
Most scholars doubt that the Apostle Paul himself wrote these letters, at least in the versions passed down to us. For one thing, the detailed church hierarchy the writer references seems too elaborate for the times when Paul lived. There are theological and stylistic ways that these pastoral letters differ from those we do believe Paul wrote.
Even so, these letters are warmly personal, especially the two written to Timothy, so the two must have had a close connection. Most likely, these letters were embellished by later editors, but were based on authentic letters from Paul to Timothy. At any rate, these pastoral letters ended up in the Bibles we read today, and they have been used for centuries for the encouragement and edification of the church.
Paul’s Letters to Timothy
The New Testament includes two letters specifically addressed to Timothy. The first, addressed to “my true child in the faith” (1:2) apparently was written to work through some problems in church administration, as well as to address a false teaching gaining some popularity, which needed to be confronted and corrected. Most scholars believe the false teaching was some form of Gnosticism.
The second epistle to Timothy is even more personal—it’s addressed to “Timothy, my beloved child” (1:2). It indicates that Timothy by then had oversight responsibility for several congregations. As the Colossian and Laodicean churches were near Ephesus, it’s possible that Timothy had some responsibility over them as well.
In this second letter, one can sense Paul’s loneliness in prison. He encourages Timothy to stand strong despite the opposition he faced, and he urges Timothy to visit him soon--to “do your best to come before winter” (4:21)
Most scholars believe the epistles addressed to Timothy were written during Paul’s Roman imprisonment, and it’s clear that Paul realizes his time is drawing short:
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
The second epistle to Timothy is even more personal—it’s addressed to “Timothy, my beloved child” (1:2). It indicates that Timothy by then had oversight responsibility for several congregations. As the Colossian and Laodicean churches were near Ephesus, it’s possible that Timothy had some responsibility over them as well.
In this second letter, one can sense Paul’s loneliness in prison. He encourages Timothy to stand strong despite the opposition he faced, and he urges Timothy to visit him soon--to “do your best to come before winter” (4:21)
Most scholars believe the epistles addressed to Timothy were written during Paul’s Roman imprisonment, and it’s clear that Paul realizes his time is drawing short:
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Feast Day: January 26
The feast day of Saints Timothy and Titus is January 26. Visit this site for the lectionary texts for this day: https://www.lectionarypage.net/LesserFF/Jan/TimTitus.html
Almighty God, who called Timothy to be an evangelist and teachers, and made him strong to endure hardship: Strengthen us to stand fast in adversity, and to live godly and righteous lives in this present time, that with sure confidence we may look for our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Adapted from Introducing the New Testament by Anne Robertson (Massachusetts Bible Society), 2014, pp. 134-138.
Cover image: "St. Timothy Window," designed by Edward Burne-Jones.
Almighty God, who called Timothy to be an evangelist and teachers, and made him strong to endure hardship: Strengthen us to stand fast in adversity, and to live godly and righteous lives in this present time, that with sure confidence we may look for our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Adapted from Introducing the New Testament by Anne Robertson (Massachusetts Bible Society), 2014, pp. 134-138.
Cover image: "St. Timothy Window," designed by Edward Burne-Jones.
