1 Timothy 1:1-2

Background Biography on Timothy

Overview of Significance
~Timothy is mentioned in all but 3 of Paul's letters (Galatians, Ephesians & Titus)
~Timothy is mentioned in the very 1st verse of 6 of Paul's letters
~Timothy is referred to with a number of glowing descriptions
"brothers spoke well of him" (Acts 16:2)
"fellow worker" (Romans 16:21)
"my son, whom I love, who is faithful" (1 Cor. 4:17)
"proved himself" (Phil. 2:22)
"no one else like him" (Phil. 2:20)
"genuine interest in your welfare" (Phil. 2:20)
"my true son in the faith" (1 Tim 1:2)
"man of God" (1 Tim 6:11)

Birth/Childhood
~Most scholars seem to think he was born around AD17
~He was a resident of Lystra
~His mother was Jewish, father was Greek (2 Tim 3:15)
~His grandmother (Lois) and mother (Eunice) became believers (1 Tim 1:5, Acts 14:8-23)
~This was on Paul's first missionary journey (around AD47)
~Timothy became a believer there or soon thereafter

2nd Missionary Journey
~Selected by Paul to assist 2nd missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3)
~Circumcised for the sake of the Jews, and ordained (1 Tim 4:14)
~Briefly separated from Paul in Berea (no conflict, Acts 17:14, 1 Thes 3:2-6)
~Caught up to Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5)

3rd Missionary Journey
~Sent out by Paul to various churches (headquartered at times in Ephesus)
~Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17)
~Macedonia (Acts 19:22)
~Thessalonica (1 Thes. 3:1-6)
~Accompanied Paul toward Jerusalem & Rome (eventually headquartered in Prison)

Later Ministry
~Perhaps visited Philippi (Phil 2:19)
~Visited Ephesus (1 & 2 Timothy)
~Later visited Paul in prison (probable, Hebrews 13:23)
~Tradition has him serving in Ephesus from AD65-80 (possibly 97)
~He is said to have been martyred after preaching against idolatry in Ephesus