Gladly Acts Facts

Acts 16:1
   Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

   Timothy was a young believer that Paul and Silas chose to go with them on their journey as an attendant just as John Mark had gone with Paul and Barnabas. Timothy's mother was a Judean believer and his father was a Gentile. This made him a valuable witness to the Word of God and the administration of the grace of God toward the Gentiles that Paul was preaching. Timothy would be able to relate to both Judeans and Gentiles as they held forth God's Word.

2 Timothy 1:5
   When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith [uncontaminated believing] that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

   The Word of God does not tell us much about Timothy's father accept that he was a Gentile. We know that Timothy was not circumcised which tells us that his father was not a proselyte to Judaism and did not raise Timothy as a Judean. We also know from this record that Timothy's mother and grandmother who were Judean women were great believers and that Paul was persuaded that the same quality of believing was in Timothy.

1 Corinthians 4:17
   For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

1 Timothy 1:2
   Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

   Paul referred to Timothy as "my beloved son" and "my own son in the faith." Paul had taught Timothy God's Word regarding salvation and led him to the new birth. Timothy had believed and was "faithful in the Lord" which means he got born again and continued in the Word of God. In fact Paul sent him to the Corinthians to bring them into remembrance of Paul's ways in Christ. Timothy walked as Paul walked and could thus relate to the believers what it meant to be "in Christ."

Philippians 2:19-22
   But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
   For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
   For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
   But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

   Timothy was "likeminded" or "equal souled" with Paul when it came to walking in Christ. He served with Paul in the ministry of God's Word as a son learns the family business by working as an apprentice to his father. Paul called Timothy a workman together with him in the outreach of God's word. He was not just an attendant. Timothy held forth God's Word exactly as Paul did.

Romans 16:21a
   Timotheus my workfellow, . . .

1 Corinthians 16:10
   Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

1 Thessalonians 3:2
   And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

   2 Corinthians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, and 1 Thessalonians 3:2 refer to Timothy as a brother. He is also called a minister of God.

2 Timothy 1:6
   Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

   Timothy had a gift ministry to the body of Christ. 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st & 2nd Thessalonians, and Philemon are all addressed to believers and are "from" Timothy as well as Paul. First and Second Timothy are written from Paul to Timothy and it is clear in 2nd Timothy that Paul, at the end of his life, was turning over the ministry of God's Word to Timothy.

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