Introduction of the letter to Timothy Timothys Early

Introduction of the letter to Timothy.

Timothy’s Early Life – Before Meeting Paul o Timothy meaning: “one who honors God” o Raised by a godly mother & grandmother (2 Tim. 1: 5; 3: 15) – o These women of faith taught Timothy the Holy Scriptures (sacred writings) from his infancy o The OT Scriptures were holy b/c they were inspired by God o The OT Scriptures could produce faith in coming Messiah o Faith comes by hearing the word of God o Salvation comes through hearing & obeying Scripture o Unhypocritical faith can save & can be “transferred”

Introduction of the letter to Timothy Meets Paul • Timothy & his family lived in Lystra (Acts 16: 1) • Paul first came to Lystra on his first journey (Acts 14: 8) • Timothy & his mother likely converted by Paul on his first missionary journey to Lystra • Paul calls Timothy his “beloved son” “in the faith” (1 Tim. 1: 2; 2 Tim. 1: 2; cf. 1 Cor. 4: 15) • Timothy knew the persecutions Paul endured on his first journey through Lystra (2 Tim. 3: 10 -11; Acts 14: 8 -18) • When Paul comes back thru Lystra on his second journey, Eunice is a “believer” and Timothy is “well spoken of by the brethren” (Acts 16: 1 -2) – had been converted earlier

Introduction of the letter to Timothy Becomes Paul’s Fellow-Worker Ø “Paul wanted to have him go with him” (Acts 16: 3) Ø Circumcised him b/c of the Jews (Acts 16: 3) Ø Perhaps at this point elders laid hands on him (1 Tim. 4: 14) Ø Paul imparted miraculous gift to him (2 Tim. 1: 6)

Introduction of the letter to Timothy Travels with Paul on His 2 nd Journey ü To Phrygia, Galatia, Troas (Acts 16: 68), ü Macedonia [Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea] (Acts 16: 9 -17: 14)—staying in Berea ü Paul calls him to meet in Athens (Acts 17: 15), then he sends him to Thessalonica to strengthen the persecuted Christians (1 Thess. 3: 1 -2) ü Timothy meets Paul back in Corinth with good news and is with him when 1&2 Thess written from Corinth (1 Thess. 1: 1; 2 Thess. 1: 1)

Introduction of the letter to Timothy Works with Paul on His 3 rd Journey § With Paul in Ephesus, from which dispatched to Macedonia with Erastus (Acts 19: 22) § This is about the same time that Paul wrote First Corinthians, so Paul must have instructed him to go from Macedonia to Corinth (1 Cor. 4: 17; 16: 10 -12) § Later, Timothy joined Paul in Macedonia. 2 Cor. was written from Macedonia (2 Cor. 2: 13; 7: 5 -7), and Timothy was with Paul when written (2 Cor. 1: 1, 19). § With Paul in Corinth when Romans written (Rom. 16: 21; Acts 20: 2). § Traveled with Paul to Troas (Acts 20: 3 -5)

Introduction of the letter to Timothy with Paul During His First Roman Imprisonment & After ü Paul spent “two whole years” in prison in Rome (Acts 28: 30), during which time he penned Eph, Phil, Col, Phile. ü There named Timothy as being with him (Phil. 1: 1; Col. 1: 1; Phile 1). ü Maybe a prisoner (Heb. 13: 23) ü Paul sent Timothy to Philippi from Rome (Phil. 2: 19 -24) ü Paul hoped to meet Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 3: 14; 4: 13; cf. 1: 3, where Timothy was laboring) ü Near the end of Paul’s life (in Roman prison again), he urged Timothy to come and be with him (2 Tim. 4: 9, 21) before his death.

Introduction of the letter to Timothy. Special Relationship & Confidence Between Paul & Timothy § “Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. § Therefore let no one despise him. § But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren. ” (1 Cor. 16: 10 -11) § “Timothy, my fellow worker…” (Rom. 16: 21)

Introduction of the letter to Timothy. Special Relationship & Confidence Between Paul & Timothy o “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. o For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. o For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. o But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. ” (Phil. 2: 1923)

Introduction of the letter to Timothy. The Purpose & Timing of First Timothy ü Paul met with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 (~56 -57 AD) – there was trouble brewing (Acts 20: 28 -30) ü No doubt Timothy saw evidence of Paul’s words coming true: ü “Some have already turned aside after Satan” (5: 15) ü “Some will depart from the faith” (4: 1) ü “Some having rejected…suffered shipwreck” (1: 19 -20) ü “Guard…avoiding…what is falsely called knowledge” (6: 20)

Introduction of the letter to Timothy. The Purpose & Timing of First Timothy q Paul wrote the letter to remind Timothy to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1: 3). q The emphasis of the letter is on THE faith—holding to it, teaching it, defending it, living it—with apostolic authority. q The letter was probably written around 63 -64 AD, after Paul was released from his first Roman imprisonment.