Timothy

Etymology

From 'time' (τιμή, honour) and 'theos' (θεός, God). The name means one who honours God or whom God honours — a fitting name for a young man raised in the faith.

Who they were

Timothy was Paul's closest co-worker, the young man Paul called 'my true son in the faith.' He came from a mixed household — his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were Jewish believers who raised him in the scriptures, but his father was Greek and apparently uninvolved in his faith formation. Paul recruited Timothy in Lystra during his second missionary journey and had him circumcised (to avoid unnecessary offence in Jewish contexts). From then on, Timothy was Paul's constant companion, co-author of six epistles, and trusted delegate to troubled churches. Paul sent him to Corinth when the church was fragmenting, to Thessalonica when persecution threatened, and to Ephesus where he apparently became the resident church leader. Paul's two letters to Timothy are the most personal in the New Testament — the voice of a mentor to a younger leader who struggled with timidity. 'Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you,' Paul wrote. 'God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.' Paul's final letter, written from prison before his execution, contains the plea: 'Do your best to come to me quickly.' Whether Timothy reached Rome in time is not recorded.

Family

Father

Greek (unnamed, unbelieving)

Mother

Eunice (Jewish believer)

Character qualities

• Faithfulness despite natural timidity
• Willingness to be sent
• Deep knowledge of scripture from childhood
• Loyalty to Paul through hardship

Key verse

2 Timothy 1:5

Where they appear

Themes

Variants & related forms

Tim · Timmy · Timothée · Timoteo

Related names