Bible Character Explorer
New Testament • 1st century AD
Timothy
Paul's Beloved Son in the FaithThe young pastor raised in genuine faith who became Paul's most trusted ministry partner
"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."
1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)
Overview
Timothy was a young man from Lystra, son of a Jewish mother, Eunice, and a Greek father, raised in the genuine faith first found in his grandmother Lois and his mother. Paul took him on as a ministry companion, sent him on sensitive assignments to troubled churches, and eventually left him to pastor the church at Ephesus, addressing to him two of the most personal and pastoral letters in the New Testament, 1 and 2 Timothy.
Gospel Connection
Timothy's life demonstrates the gospel's power to work through ordinary family faithfulness and patient mentorship to raise up the next generation of gospel ministers. Paul's letters to Timothy, among the most personal in the New Testament, model how mature believers pass on sound doctrine, godly character, and pastoral courage to those coming after them, ensuring that the message of the risen Christ, once received, continues to be preached faithfully long after those who first proclaimed it are gone.
Discover More
See how this life points to Christ in the Gospel Connection section above.