Apostle / Pastor · NT
Timothy
Paul's protégé and 'true son in the faith,' pastor at Ephesus and recipient of two of Paul's most personal letters.
Timothy was a young disciple from Lystra in Asia Minor, the son of a believing Jewish mother (Eunice) and a Greek father, raised in the scriptures by his mother and grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). Paul met him on his second missionary journey, was impressed by the church's testimony of him, and circumcised him for the sake of mission to Jewish hearers (Acts 16:1-3).
From that point Timothy became Paul's most constant traveling companion, named as co-sender in six of Paul's letters and sent on sensitive missions to Thessalonica, Corinth, and Philippi. Paul ultimately left him in charge of the church at Ephesus, and addressed two pastoral letters to him with instructions on doctrine, leadership, suffering, and personal endurance.
The portrait that emerges is of a younger man — apparently shy, perhaps physically frail (1 Timothy 5:23) — whom Paul tenderly urged to 'fan into flame the gift of God' (2 Timothy 1:6) and not to let anyone despise his youth.
Key moments
Joins Paul's team
Recruited from Lystra on the second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3).
Sent to Thessalonica
Paul's emissary to strengthen the persecuted young church (1 Thessalonians 3:2).
Co-sender of Paul's letters
Named with Paul in 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, Philemon.
Leading the Ephesian church
Left in charge with apostolic authority (1 Timothy 1:3).
Key verses
"And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek. The same was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek."
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"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity."
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"having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also."
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"For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline."
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"But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
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Frequently asked
How old was Timothy?
The text never gives a number. Paul's repeated counsel about youth (1 Timothy 4:12) suggests he was probably in his late twenties or early thirties when leading at Ephesus — young by ancient standards for such authority.
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