Timothy, The Influence of Home Training

Timothy joined Paul and Silas and traveled with Paul for 15 years. As Timothy had a Greek father he was not circumcised. Paul ensured this was done in order for Timothy to be more accepted to the Jews whom Paul would be evangelizing. In 52 A.D., Paul took Timothy to Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica). When Paul went to Athens, Timothy and Silas stayed and preached in Beroea and Thessalonica before joining Paul in Corinth. Paul then sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to enquire about the church’s faith. Timothy then joined Paul and traveled back to Asia in Ephesus. 

Timothy continued to travel with Paul until he sent him to Ephesus to become the city’s first Christian Bishop. Timothy is believed to have spent the rest of his life ministering to the church in Ephesus as well as in the surrounding area of Roman Asia. 

Timothy appears to have suffered from a chronic stomach ailment as Paul encouraged him to “use a little wine for your stomach’s sake.” 

Timothy’s relationship with Paul was close; his name appears as co-author on the letters of II Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, I and II Thessalonians, and Philemon. Paul wrote in Philippians, “I have no one like him.” When Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he summoned his faithful friend Timothy for a final farewell. 

Tradition says that in 97 A.D. (some sources say 80 A.D.) Timothy tried to stop a parade in honor of Artemis and was stoned to death by the angry mob. 

Timothy is the subject of two pastoral epistles from Paul (I and II Timothy) . The letters consist mainly of Paul’s advice on how to organize and run the church in Ephesus with special instructions on watching out for false teaching. Timothy also appears to have been somewhat timid and Paul’s letters are full of encouragement and instructions to always stand up for what he had learned from his grandmother, his mother, and from Paul. 

Timothy is venerated as an Apostle, Saint, and Martyr by both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. Timothy is also commemorated by the Lutheran Church (January 26). He is honored (along with Titus) by the Church of England and the Episcopal Church. 

In the fourth century, his relics were taken from Ephesus to Constantinople and placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles near the tombs of Andrew and Luke .In 1239, Timothy’s relics were taken by a count returning from the Crusades and placed in Termoli Cathedral in Italy. The remains were rediscovered in 1945 after World War II and are present in the church today. 

Timothy is prayed to by people with stomach and intestinal disorders..

Lesson: Acts 16:1-3; Philippians 2:19-22; II Timothy 1:1-6; 3:14-16

OK, time to get your Bibles out and turn to Acts 16. Key highlights of these verses are as follows:

1. Acts 16 – V1-3: These verses describe Paul’s meeting of Timothy in Lystra and his desire to join Paul on his Second Missionary Journey. Timothy’s mother was Jewish but his father (unnamed) was a Greek. As a result, Timothy had not been circumcised. Paul does this because of the Jewish audiences he would be meeting with. Note that Timothy was already well-known as being an ardent Christina believer.
2. Philippians 2 – V19-22: Paul is concerned about the church in Philippi so he tells the Philippians that he will be sending Timothy to them. This shows both Paul’s trust in Timothy to go to Philippi in his name as well as the fact that the people of Philippi already know Timothy.
3. II Timothy 1 – V1-6: Paul is writing to Timothy who has been made the new Bishop in Ephesus. Note that in his opening of II Timothy, Paul references Timothy’s mother Eunice and his grandmother, Lois, both of whom brought Timothy up as a believer and a child of sincere faith. Paul is stressing the importance of a Christian upbringing in the home.
4. II Timothy 3 – V14-16: In these passages, Paul is encouraging Timothy to continue to be strong in his faith and remember who has mentored him (Mother Eunice, Grandmother Lois, and Paul). Have confidence in his knowledge because he has learned the Gospel from the best. Use that confidence in teaching and ministering to his church.

Conclusions

While having had a solid Christian background since childhood, Timothy apparently had concerns about being made the Bishop of Ephesus. Up to now, he had always had Paul or Silas or Luke to back him up. Not everyone is cut out to be a teacher or a minister; some people just don’t want to do things which they feel are beyond their natural ability and desire. But Paul says that Jesus calls on each of us to be Holy. Often just our actions when in public serve to teach others about the meaning of the Gospel.

We must never be ashamed to be a Christian; never be ashamed for believing in the Gospel. That is our core belief and Paul tells us that we must maintain that constancy. When faced with difficult times, we are to call on the Holy Spirit and use His power to be bold in our belief in Christ.

Paul says that timidity and the Gospel don’t mix. So even if we aren’t the best at public speaking or writing or teaching, we can each still be bold advocates for Jesus Christ in the home (like Eunice and Lois) and in the world. 

Next week we conclude our summer quarter studying witnesses who helped spread the Gospel with a lesson titled “Lydia, Judged to be Faithful” and comes from Acts 16. As our historical background, I will talk about what is known about Lydia and her home town of Philippi in Greece.

Have a great week in the Lord and I will see you next week.

Prayer
Dear Lord, we give thanks for our forerunners in Christ, and for their legacy of bold faith. Help us to live up to our Holy Calling to make Jesus known in the world. Whether we suffer or rest in ease, we testify that you are good, you are loving, you are righteous, and you will save. Boldly in the name of Jesus Christ we pray.

Amen