I Timothy
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By Peter Marshall McLewin
Begin your study of Paul's first letter to the Timothy by reading through my list of the key verses.
We first meet young Timothy on Paul’s second visit to Lystra.
“And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Paul came also to Derby and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.”
Acts 15:41-16:5
Lystra was in the Province of Galatia on the edge of the Anatolian plateau. At that time it was a proud Roman colony that called itself “the most brilliant colony of Lystra.” A Roman garrison was quartered there to protect Roman interests from wild tribesmen of the Isaurain mountains that lay behind the province.
Paul and Barnabas visited Lystra on their first missionary journey. (Acts 14:8-21) During that visit Paul had created quite a stir by healing a lame man. Some scholars think that Paul stayed in Timothy’s parents’ home during that visit. Stories about Paul’s miracle must have made a deep impression on Timothy.
Timothy was born to parents in a mixed marriage (Acts 16:1). His mother was Jewish and his father was Greek. Paul writes about his firsthand knowledge of Timothy’s spiritual heritage. His faith was passed on to him from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. (II Timothy 1:5)
Timothy was Paul’s constant companion. He sailed with Paul from Troas, taking the gospel to Europe.
He was there in Philippi when Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned.
He was left behind in Berea to help Silas with the new work there. (Acts 17:14,15)
He was sent by Paul to Macedonia to encourage the saints in Philippi. (Acts19:22)
He traveled with the group delivering aid to the church in Jerusalem. (Acts 20:4)
He was with Paul in Corinth when Paul wrote to the Romans. (Romans 16:21)
He was sent to Corinth to quell the divisions that arose there. (I Corinthians 4:17, 16:10)
He was sent to check on the Thessalonians. (I Thessalonians 1:1, 3:2, 6)
He was with Paul in prison in Rome. (Philippians 1:1, 2:19)
He was with Paul when he wrote Colossians. (Colossians 1:1)
He was with Paul when he wrote Philemon. (Philemon 1:1)
Paul wrote kindly about Timothy…
“For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.”
I Corinthians 4:17
“For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.”
Philippians 2:20,22
Paul appointed Timothy to one of the most important churches of the New Testament era.
“As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines…”
I Timothy 1:3
Chapter Links
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Study Links
First Missionary Journey
Second Missionary Journey
Third Missionary Journey
Greece Report
This site was written and produced by Peter McLewin, all rights reserved, 2002