Timothy
Timothy was an early Christian evangelist and the first Bishop of Ephesus, known for his close association with the Apostle Paul. He is remembered as Paul's companion and missionary partner, and as the recipient of two epistles in the New Testament. His life and ministry are detailed in the Acts of Timothy, which describes his martyrdom.
- Feast Day
- January 22
- Century
- 1st century
- Country Or Region
- Asia Minor
Key Facts
- ›Timothy was born of a Jewish mother and a Greek father in the Lycaonian city of Lystra or Derbe.
- ›He became a companion and missionary partner to the Apostle Paul during Paul's second missionary journey.
- ›Timothy is addressed as the recipient of the First and Second Epistles to Timothy in the New Testament.
- ›He was appointed Bishop of Ephesus and reportedly died around AD 97.
- ›His grandmother Lois and mother Eunice are noted for their piety and faith.
- ›Timothy is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Eastern Orthodox Church and honored in other Christian traditions.
Timótheos
Stomach and Intestinal Disorders
About Timothy
Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus
Timothy was an early Christian evangelist and the first Bishop of Ephesus, a significant figure in the nascent Christian movement and a close associate of the Apostle Paul. His life and ministry are documented in the New Testament, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles addressed to him.
Life and Ministry
Born in the Lycaonian city of Lystra or Derbe in Asia Minor, Timothy's parentage was mixed: his mother was a Jewish Christian believer, while his father was a Greek Gentile. He was raised with knowledge of the Scriptures, and his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, were noted for their piety and faith. The Apostle Paul encountered Timothy during his second missionary journey and enlisted him as a companion and missionary partner. Paul's mentorship of Timothy was profound, with Timothy accompanying him on numerous journeys and assisting in evangelistic efforts.
Timothy's background as a half-Jew presented practical considerations for their missionary work. To facilitate evangelism among Jewish communities, Paul had Timothy circumcised, a decision that did not contradict the broader decree from the Council of Jerusalem regarding Gentile believers. Timothy is described as being by nature reserved and timid, and Paul encouraged him and instructed others to support him.
Timothy's ministry involved extensive travel with Paul. He accompanied Paul and Silas to Macedonia in AD 52 and later stayed in Beroea and Thessalonica before rejoining Paul in Corinth. Paul dispatched Timothy to Thessalonica to assess the community's faith and later sent him to Macedonia with the aim of him reaching Corinth. Timothy was present with Paul in Corinth during the winter of 57–58 and was with him in Macedonia prior to Passover in AD 58, leaving ahead of Paul to await him in Troas. Paul eventually left Timothy in Ephesus around AD 64 to govern the church there.
Writings and Legacy
Timothy is recognized as a co-author on several Pauline epistles, including 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. The New Testament includes two letters specifically addressed to him, the First and Second Epistles to Timothy, which offer guidance on church organization, leadership, and theological matters. Some modern scholars consider these Pastoral Epistles to be pseudepigraphic.
Veneration and Martyrdom
Timothy is venerated as an apostle and saint by various Christian traditions. His feast day is observed on January 22 in the Eastern Orthodox Church. In the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion, he is venerated with Titus on January 26. According to the apocryphal Acts of Timothy, he died as a martyr around AD 97. The account states that the 80-year-old bishop attempted to halt a pagan procession, leading to his stoning by an angry mob. His relics were transferred from Ephesus to Constantinople in the 4th century and later to Italy in the 13th century, where they were rediscovered in 1945.
Timothy is invoked against stomach and intestinal disorders. His close association with Paul and his role as the first bishop of Ephesus solidify his importance in the history of early Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Timothy?
Timothy was an early Christian evangelist and the first Bishop of Ephesus. He was a close companion and missionary partner of the Apostle Paul, traveling with him on his missionary journeys and receiving two epistles in the New Testament.
What is Timothy known for?
Timothy is chiefly remembered for his close relationship with the Apostle Paul, his role as a missionary, and as the recipient of the First and Second Epistles to Timothy. He is also venerated as a saint and martyr.
What does the name Timothy mean?
The name Timothy is of Greek origin (Τιμόθεος, Timótheos) and means "honouring God" or "honoured by God".
How did Timothy die?
According to the apocryphal Acts of Timothy, Timothy, as an 80-year-old bishop, attempted to halt a procession honoring the goddess Diana by preaching the Gospel. He was subsequently beaten, dragged through the streets, and stoned to death by angry pagans.
Where is Timothy venerated?
Timothy is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Eastern Orthodox Church, with a feast day on January 22. He is also commemorated in the General Roman Calendar, the Church of England, and the Episcopal Church, often alongside Titus.
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