2. Introduction of the letter to Timothy.

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

8. Introduction of the letter to Timothy.
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

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

10. Introduction of the letter to Timothy.
Timothy Travels with Paul on His 2nd Journey
To Phrygia, Galatia, Troas (Acts 16:6-8),
Macedonia [Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea] (Acts 16:9-17:14)—staying in Berea
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)
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)

11. Introduction of the letter to Timothy.
Timothy Works with Paul on His 3rd 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)

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

13. 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)

14. Introduction of the letter to Timothy.
Special Relationship & Confidence Between Paul & Timothy
“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.
For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.
For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.
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.2:19-23)

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

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