Topical Encyclopedia
Timotheus, more commonly known as Timothy, is a significant figure in the New Testament, recognized for his close association with the Apostle Paul. His name, meaning "honoring God" or "honored by God," reflects his devout character and dedication to the early Christian church.
Background and Early LifeTimothy was a native of Lystra, a city in the region of Lycaonia, which is in modern-day Turkey. He was the son of a Jewish mother, Eunice, and a Greek father, whose name is not mentioned in the Scriptures (
Acts 16:1). His mother and grandmother, Lois, are noted for their sincere faith, which they passed on to Timothy (
2 Timothy 1:5). This mixed heritage provided Timothy with a unique perspective, allowing him to bridge cultural divides within the early church.
Conversion and MinistryTimothy likely converted to Christianity during Paul's first missionary journey, as Paul refers to him as "my true child in the faith" (
1 Timothy 1:2). By the time of Paul's second missionary journey, Timothy had already gained a good reputation among the believers in Lystra and Iconium (
Acts 16:2). Recognizing his potential, Paul chose Timothy to accompany him, circumcising him to avoid offending the Jews they would encounter (
Acts 16:3).
Timothy quickly became one of Paul's most trusted companions and co-laborers in the gospel. He is mentioned in several of Paul's epistles, often as a co-author or messenger (
2 Corinthians 1:1,
Philippians 1:1,
Colossians 1:1,
1 Thessalonians 1:1,
2 Thessalonians 1:1,
Philemon 1:1). Paul entrusted Timothy with significant responsibilities, sending him to various churches to provide guidance and encouragement (
1 Corinthians 4:17,
Philippians 2:19-23).
Pastoral Role and LettersTimothy's pastoral role is most evident in the letters Paul wrote to him, known as the Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. These letters provide insight into Timothy's character and the challenges he faced as a young leader in the church. Paul exhorts Timothy to remain steadfast in sound doctrine, to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, and to guard what has been entrusted to him (
1 Timothy 4:12, 6:20).
In 2 Timothy, Paul writes with a sense of urgency, aware that his own death is near. He encourages Timothy to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season" (
2 Timothy 4:2) and to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (
2 Timothy 2:3). These letters highlight Timothy's role as a key leader in the early church and Paul's deep affection for him.
Legacy and TraditionTimothy's legacy is that of a faithful servant who played a crucial role in the establishment and growth of the early Christian church. Tradition holds that Timothy became the first bishop of Ephesus, where he continued to serve until his death. While the exact details of his later life and martyrdom are not recorded in Scripture, his impact on the church is undeniable.
Timothy's life exemplifies the qualities of humility, faithfulness, and dedication to the gospel. His relationship with Paul serves as a model of mentorship and discipleship, illustrating the importance of nurturing and equipping the next generation of Christian leaders.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Timotheushonor of God; valued of God
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Timotheus- A "captain of the Ammonites," 1 Macc. 5:6 who was defeated on several occasions by Judas Maccabaeus, B.C. 164. 1 Macc. 5:6,11,34-44. He was probably a Greek adventurer.
- In 2 Macc. a leader named Timetheus is mentioned as having taken part in the invasion of Nicanor, B.C. 166. 2 Macc. 8:30; 9:3.
- The Greek name of Timothy. (Acts 16:1;17:14) etc.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Greek form of the name of Timothy (
Acts 16:1, etc.; the R.V. always "Timothy").
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TIMOTHEUSti-mo'-the-us (Timotheos):
(1) A leader of the children of Ammon who was on several occasions severely defeated by Judas Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 5:6;, 34;; 2 Maccabees 8:30; 9:03; 10:24; 19:2, 18;) in 165-163 B.C. According to 2 Maccabees 10:37, he was slain at Gazara after having hidden in a cistern. But in 2 Maccabees 12:2 he is again at liberty as an opponent of the Jews, and in 12:24 he falls into the hands of Dositheus and Sosipater, but by representing that many Jewish captives were at his mercy and likely to suffer if he were put to death, he is again released. These discrepancies are so great-though not unusual in 2 Maccabees-that some suppose another Timotheus is referred to in 12:2;. He is most probably the same person, the careless author of 2 Maccabees making a slip in saying Timotheus was killed at Gazara. He probably escaped by hiding in the cistern. The Greek name for an Ammonite leader is striking:
(a) he may have been a genuine Ammonite with a Greek name, or
(b) a Syro-Macedonian officer placed by Syrian authority over the Ammonites, or
(c) a Greek soldier of fortune invited by the Ammonites to be their commander.
(2) See next article.
S. Angus
Greek
5095. Timotheos -- Timothy, a Christian... Timothy,
Timotheus. From time and theos; dear to God;
Timotheus, a Christian --
Timotheus, Timothy. see GREEK time. see GREEK theos. (timothee) -- 2 Occurrences
...Library
To BishopTimotheus.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, CXXX. To BishopTimotheus.... Footnotes: [1939]
Timotheus was Bishop of Doliche, a town of the Euphratensis....
Timotheus
... Chapter LXXIII.Timotheus.... Footnotes: [2697] Bishop of Alexandria 380, died 385.
[2698]Timotheus 31 e add Bishop of Alexandria. [2699] Proterius; 25 30 Fabr....
Timotheus
...Timotheus.Timotheus, [2675] the bishop composed a book On the nativity of Our Lord
according to the flesh, which is supposed to have been written at Epiphany....
InTimotheus, who was no Mean Mythologist, and Also in Others...
... Book V. 5 InTimotheus, who was no mean mythologist, and also in others equally
well informed? InTimotheus, who was no mean mythologist...
Letter ccxci. ToTimotheus the Chorepiscopus.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CCXCI. ToTimotheus
the Chorepiscopus. The due limits of a letter, and...
How Judas Subdued the Nations Round About; and How Simon Beat the...
... CHAPTER 8. How Judas Subdued The Nations Round About; And How Simon Beat The People
Of Tyre And Ptolemais; And How Judas OvercameTimotheus, And Forced Him To...
Synodical Letter of Damasus Bishop of Rome against Apollinarius...
... Book V. Chapter X."Synodical letter of Damasus bishop of Rome against
Apollinarius andTimotheus. When the most praiseworthy Damasus...
Letter Lxiii. (AD 401. )
... ForTimotheus was ordained a subdeacon at Subsana against my advice and desire,
at the time when the decision of his case was still pending as the subject of...
Letter Lxii. (AD 401)
... For, believing as they did that these men were sent by our sonTimotheus in order
to move you to be displeased with us, and being anxious to reserve the whole...
Salvian's Literary Work
... Salonius feared that since the work was issued as the Address ofTimotheus to the
Church against Avarice, it might be mistaken for an apocryphal work of the...
Thesaurus
Timotheus (24 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
TIMOTHEUS. ti
... (2) See next article. S. Angus.
Multi-Version Concordance
Timotheus (24 Occurrences). Acts
...Fellow-workman (5 Occurrences)
... beloved. (DBY YLT). Romans 16:21Timotheus, my fellow-workman, and Lucius,
and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. (DBY YLT)....
Thessalo'nians (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:4 And there were accompanying him unto Asia, Sopater of Berea, and of
Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, andTimotheus, and of...
Chaereas
... ke'-re-as (Chaireas; the King James Version Chereas): Brother ofTimotheus, the
Ammonite leader against Judas Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 5:6). He held the fortress...
Silva'nus (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 1:19 for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, among you through us having
been preached -- through me and Silvanus andTimotheus -- did not become Yes...
Macedo'nia (20 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:5 And when both Silas andTimotheus came down from Macedonia, Paul was pressed
in the Spirit, testifying fully to the Jews Jesus the Christ; (See RSV)....
Berea (4 Occurrences)
... A city of Macedonia to which Paul with Silas andTimotheus went when persecuted
at Thessalonica (Acts 17:10, 13), and from which also he was compelled to...
Remembrance (74 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto youTimotheus, who is my beloved
son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my...
Kindness (295 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:2 toTimotheus -- genuine child in faith: Grace, kindness, peace,
from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord, (YLT)....
Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... Thessalonians 3:2, 6 2 Thessalonians 1:1 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 1 Timothy 6:20 2 Timothy
1:2 Philemon 1:1 Hebrews 13:23; the King James Version,Timotheus): 1. One...
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