Today is the first day of the rest of your life. How will you live your life in 2023? If the Lord returns this year, will you be ready to meet Him? If He tarries His coming, will you look back on this year with joy in knowing that you lived it for the Lord’s glory?

Only you can answer these questions.

Transition

This evening, we are going to examine the character of the Apostle Paul’s companion, the young man Timothy. As we do, let me challenge you to ask God to develop similar character qualities in your life.

Timothy’s Early Life

  1. His roots
    1. His father was a Gentile and his mother was a Jew residing in Lystra (Ac 16:1)
    2. His name was Timothy or Timotheus. Translation variation
    3. His grandmother and mother were believers (2Ti 1:5). These women both had sincere faith in God. That was a huge benefit for young Timothy.
    4. They introduced him to the Scriptures (2Ti 3:15-17).
      1. The word translated “child” may refer to an unborn child, an embryo, a fetus, a newborn child, an infant, or a babe.
      2. Timothy likely heard his mother reading or reciting Scripture while he was yet in her womb.
      3. God later used those Scriptures to lead him to salvation. Reading the Bible to our children and training them to read it themselves from an early age is very important. God uses His Word to teach us, to convict us, to correct us, and to instruct us in right living. The Bible also builds faith (Ro 10:17).
  2. His Conversion
    1. Paul’s visit to Lystra during his first missionary trip, 46-47 A.D.
    2. Paul went to Lystra fleeing persecution (Ac 14:5-6), and there preached the gospel. This is likely the time of Timothy’s conversion. Paul later calls Timothy his son in the faith (1Ti 1:2).
    3. Paul was stoned in Lystra and left for dead (Ac 14:19-20).
    4. When Paul revived, he departed Lystra, but a short time later returned to Lystra to ordain elders (Ac 14:21-23).
    5. During the next 4-8 years, Timothy grew spiritually and gained a good reputation (Ac 16:1-2).

Timothy’s Commission

  1. The first mention of this young man.
    1. Timothy is not mentioned until (Ac 16:1) during Paul’s second missionary trip (51-54 A.D.)
    2. The elders whom Paul ordained during his first trip likely mentored Timothy spiritually.
  2. Chosen by Paul as a companion
    1. Paul desires Timothy to go with him (Ac 16:3).
    2. Paul circumcised him (Ac 16:3). “This was preformed as a voluntary act, and simply on prudential grounds.” Haley quoted by Unger.
    3. Some think that he may have been ordained at this time, but that is uncertain (1Ti 1:18; 4:14; 2Ti 1:6; 4:5).

Timothy’s Travels with Paul

  1. He was one of Paul’s constant companions.
    1. Leaving Lystra, they travelled toward Philippi (Ac 16:12).
    2. Timothy and Luke may have stayed behind at Philippi to encourage the infant church. (Note Luke uses “they”, Ac 16:40; 17:1). He naturally cared for others (Php 2:20). That is a quality that we all need.
    3. He appeared again at Berea a short time later, where he remained after Paul fled (Ac 17:13-14).
    4. Paul soon called him down to Athens (Ac 17:15).
    5. Sent back to Thessalonica (1Th 3:2). “He had special gifts for comforting and teaching”. Unger
    6. He left Thessalonica and met Paul in Corinth (Ac 18:5). They brought good news from Thessalonica (1Th 3:6-7). He was with Paul in Corinth when Paul wrote both letters to the Thessalonian church (1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1).
  2. He accompanied Paul on his third trip
    1. Timothy was with Paul on Paul’s third missionary trip (54-58 A.D.).
    2. While at Ephesus, Paul sent Timothy on in advance of him to Macedonia and eventually to Corinth (Ac 19:21-22; 1Co 4:17; 16:10-11).
      1. Timothy did not just travel with Paul. He ministered to Paul.
      2. Notice how Paul commended Timothy as his beloved son and one who was faithful in the Lord.
      3. We too need these qualities.
    3. Though Paul himself stayed at Ephesus “for a time”, during which he wrote First Corinthians (spring of 57 A.D.) (1Co 16:5-8).
    4. Paul left Ephesus, going through Macedonia toward Corinth.
    5. When Paul left Ephesus, he went through Macedonia to Greece (to Corinth) for three months (Ac 20:1-2).
    6. While Paul was in Macedonia, Timothy re-joined him, and was present in the writing of Second Corinthians (fall of 57 A.D.) (2Co 1:1).
    7. Timothy was with Paul in Corinth when he wrote the Roman epistle (Ro 16:21).
    8. As Paul was about to sail to Syria, he discovered a murder plot and chose to walk through Macedonia and Asia on his way to Syria (Ac 20:3). Timothy was among those who travelled with him to Jerusalem (58 A.D.), (Ac 20:4).
    9. There is no more mention of Timothy until years later, when he was with Paul in Rome. He was with Paul in Rome when he wrote Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon (Php 1:1, Col 1:1; Phm 1:1). Php 2:19-22

Timothy’s Personal Ministry

  1. Ministering in Ephesus
    1. Likely, after Paul was released from prison in Rome, Timothy travelled with him to Ephesus. Paul left him there in charge of correcting false doctrine that was creeping in (1Ti 1:3).
    2. Paul may have written 1 Timothy from Nicopolis, NW of Corinth (1Ti 1:3; Tit 3:12). The date was probably between 64-67 AD.
    3. Paul then wrote this epistle to this young preacher to encourage him to remain strong in the Lord and to be courageous, even though he was younger than some to whom he ministered. (1 Timothy 4:12) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.“
    4. Unger notes, at Ephesus, Timothy was “to check if possible the outgrowth of heresy and licentiousness that had sprung up there. He had to exercise rule over presbyters, some older than himself (1Tim 4:12); to render judgments (1Ti 5:1, 19-20); to regulate the almsgiving and sisterhood of the church (1Ti 5:3-10); and to ordain overseers and deacons (1Ti 3:1-13). These duties, together with the danger of being entangled in the disputes of rival sects, made Paul anxious for the steadfastness of this disciple.” Unger’s Bible Dictionary, p.1287
    5. Paul wrote 2 Timothy while he was in a Roman prison the second time, awaiting execution by Nero about 64-67 A.D. (2Ti 1:1-4). He was to train faithful men (2Ti 2:1-2), endure hardships (2Ti 2:3), flee youthful lust (2Ti 2:22); preach the Word (2Ti 4:2), and diligently attempt to visit Paul (2Ti 4:21).

Timothy’s Suffering

According to an old tradition, Timothy remained the pastor of the church at Ephesus until his death. “While attempting to stop an indecent heathen procession during the Festival of Diana, this God-honouring minister sealed his testimony with his blood.” Herbert Lockyer, All the men of the Bible, p.328

Conclusion

Timothy was not perfect, but he was a godly, faithful, caring, serving man. He was a man of character. He is the kind of man we ought to look up to as a hero. What the world needs today is more men and women with character like Timothy. Will you be one of them?

Song: Have Thine Own Way – 388
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Missionary Timothy
1 January 2023 PM – 2 Timothy 3:15 – Tim23 – Scott Childs