Saint Timothy

For other uses of "Timothy," see Timothy (disambiguation).

Saint Timothy
Bishop
Born	c. AD 17
Died	c. AD 80, Ephesus
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Churches Oriental Orthodoxy Anglican Communion Lutheran Church
Feast	January 22 (Eastern Christianity) January 26 (Roman Catholic Church, Lutheranism) January 24 (on some local calendars and among Traditional Roman Catholics)

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Timothy (Greek: Τιμόθεος; Timótheos, meaning "honouring God"^[1]) was a first-century Christian bishop who died about AD 80. Evidence from the New Testament also has him functioning as coadjutor of Saint Paul.

Life

Timothy is mentioned in the Bible at the time of Paul's second visit to Lystra, where Timothy is mentioned as a "disciple".^[2] Paul, having been impressed by his "own son in the faith," arranged that he should become his companion, and personally circumcised^[3] him because his mother was of the Jewish faith, so that he might be accepted by the Jews. He was ordained^[4] and went with Paul in his journey through Phrygia, Galatia and Mysia; also to Troas, Philippi, Veria, and Corinth. His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, are noted as eminent for their piety and faith,^[5] which indicates that they may have also been Christians. Timothy is praised by Paul for his knowledge of the Scriptures, and is said to have been acquainted with the Scriptures since childhood.^[6] Little is known about Timothy's father; only that he was Greek.^[7]

According to later tradition, Paul ordained Timothy as bishop of Ephesus in the year 65, where he served for 15 years. In the year 80 (though some sources place the event during the year 97, with Timothy dying at age 80), Timothy tried to halt a pagan procession of idols, ceremonies, and songs. In response to his preaching of the gospel, the angry pagans beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to death. In the 4th century, his relics were transferred to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.

Veneration

Timothy is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Eastern Orthodox Church and in addition as an apostle by the Greek Orthodox Church, with his feast day on 22 January. The Roman Catholic calendar of saints venerates Timothy together with Titus with a memorial on 26 January. In the General Roman Calendar of 1962, his feast, a third class, is kept on 24 January. Along with Titus and Silas, he is commemorated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on 26 January. Timothy's feast is kept by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod on 24 January.

References

1. ^ MFnames.com - Origin and Meaning of Timothy
2. ^ Acts 16:1-2.
3. ^ Covenant Theological Seminary
4. ^ 1 Timothy 4:14
5. ^ 2nd Timothy 1:5
6. ^ 2nd Timothy 3:15
7. ^ Acts 16:1.