rom infancy and throughout his life Timothy studied the Scriptures and learned about God. Timothy was a young disciple who was Paul's companion in many of his journeys. His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois are mentioned as eminent for their piety (2 Timothy 1:5).
We know nothing of his father but that he was a Greek (Acts 16:1). He is first brought into notice at the time of Paul's second visit to Lystra 16:2), where he probably resided, and where it seems he was converted during Paul's first visit to that place (1Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:11). The apostle having formed a high opinion of his" own son in faith," arranged that he should become his companion (Acts 16:3).
One of the reasons Timothy was such a tremendous help to Paul was because, coming from a religiously mixed household, he would have had an intimate understanding of both the Jewish and Gentile perspectives.
Timothy likely witnessed his Greek father living and working in a culture immersed in the Greek false gods. To get an idea of what life was like in Timothy’s hometown of Lystra we can read about Paul and Barnabas’ emotionally charged reception there on Paul’s First Missionary Journey. The people of Lystra first tried to sacrifice to them as if they were gods and then got so angry with them that they even tried to kill Paul. It is possible that Timothy’s mother, Eunice and grandmother, Lois might have even been among the disciples that gathered around Paul outside the city of Lystra after he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19-20). It was on Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey that Timothy joined him in his travels.
In addition to being familiar with Gentile life Timothy also knew the Scripture and understood from his mother’s Jewish background what it meant to live under the Jewish laws. Although it is not a requirement for Christians to be circumcised Paul instructed Timothy to meet this Jewish requirement (Acts 16:3). By showing the Jews that he respected the Law Timothy could then, like Paul, move freely among both Jews and Greeks to teach them about Jesus.
Even at a young age Timothy was respected by the Christians in his hometown area of Lystra and Iconium. Paul had great fatherly affection for him and trusted him very much. Paul said of Timothy that “I have none like him” (Philippians 2:19-20).
Paul’s last recorded letter in the Bible is 2 Timothy. In that letter Paul gives Timothy advice for ministry but he also has a personal request for him. Others have deserted Paul but he asks his trusted friend, Timothy to bring him his books and parchments. Winter was approaching so Paul also asks Timothy to bring his cloak (2 Timothy 4:9-13, 21).
Other references to Timothy give good indication that he was a man that young people can look to as an example in how to live a faithful Christian life.
