TIMOTHY (Gk. Ttubecos, Timotheos). One of the trusted disciples and assistants of the Apostle Paul. He was a native of Lystra, in lyeaonia, the son of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother (Acts xvi. 1). As a child he was earefully instructed in the Old Testament Scripture (II. Tim. iii. 15), but he was not circumcised. It is likely that his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. were among the first converts made by Paul and Barnabas on their first visit to Lyeaonia, and soon after, either through their or Paul's own agency. the youth Timothy embraced the new faith (11. Tim. i. 5). When Paul revisited Lystra Timothy was already favorably known in the neighborhood as an active Christien (Acts xvi. 2). Paul persuaded him to go with him as an assistant. Probably at the same time he was ordtined by the local presbytery in accord with certain prophetie in timations as to his future (I. Tim. i. 18; iv. 14). To avoid unnecessary offense to the Jews, be was circumcised. From this time until the close of Paul's life Timothy was one of his most faithful, trusted, and intimate disciples. Be was in trusted several times with important missions to the ehurches founded by the Apostle. At Berea (Acts xvii. 14), Athens, and Thessalonica I. Thess, iii. 1-6), at Corinth, and later at
Ephesus (1. Co•. iv. 17, xvi. 10). and again in Macedonia (Acts xix. '312•l) he rendered im portant services, and is joined with himself by Paul in the addresses of several of his epistles. Though lie went to Jerusalem with Paul (Acts xx. 4), lie was probably engaged in labors else where when the Apostle embarked on his voyage to Romp. He visited his master at Rome (see the opening words of Philippians, Colossians. and Philemon). and was probably sent by Paul, shortly before his release, with a message to Philippi (Phil. ii. 19). After the Apostle's re lease he rejoined Timothy in the East, and later left him in charge at Ephesus in a position full of great responsibility. In his anxiety Paul wrote him the letter of advice and warning known as I. Timothy. When Paul was impris oned the second time, and probably not long before his death. he wrote II. Timothy, summon ing his beloved disciple to come to him as quickly as possible. At some later date Timothy him self was arrested, but afterwards released (Heh. xiii. 23). According to tradition he passed the remainder of his days as Bishop of Ephesus.