The opening verse of the salutation of Philemon named Timothy alongside Paul. Was he the co-author? Paul regularly mentioned other people in the address if they had a particular connection with the recipient. In this case, Timothy may have encountered Philemon while accompanying Paul in his work in Ephesus or Colossae. Clearly Timothy, who had two letters addressed to him, was a key figure with Paul. What do you know about Timothy?
Timothy
Timothy (2 Tim. 1:2)
“To Timothy,
My beloved child!
Grace,
Mercy,
And peace
From God
The Father
And Jesus Christ
Our Lord.”
Τιμοθέῳ ἀγαπητῷ τέκνῳ· χάρις, ἔλεος, εἰρήνη ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν
Paul said, “To Timothy (Τιμοθέῳ), my loyal child (ἀγαπητῷ τέκνῳ), grace (χάρις), mercy (ἔλεος) and peace (εἰρήνη) from God (ἀπὸ Θεοῦ) the Father (πατρὸς) and Jesus Christ (καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ), our Lord (τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν).” Once again, this greeting to Timothy is almost the same as in 1 Timothy, 1:2. Paul addressed this letter to Timothy. He called him his beloved child instead of a loyal, genuine, real, or true child of faith. Timothy was listed as the co-author in six epistles, nearly half of the other Pauline letters, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Timothy was a native of Lystra in Lycaonia, a respected member of the Christian congregation, as mentioned in Acts, chapter 16:1-3. In 1 Corinthians 16:10 there was a suggestion that he was by nature reserved and timid. Timothy became Paul’s disciple, and later his constant companion and co-worker in preaching, as a close traveling companion of Paul. Paul and Silas took Timothy along with them on their journey to Macedonia. Timothy was also with Paul in Ephesus. Paul left Timothy at Ephesus, to govern that church. He was also involved with the founding of the church community in Philippi. His relationship with Paul was close, so that Paul entrusted him with missions of great importance. Timothy was jailed at least once during the period of the writings of the New Testament since the writer of Hebrews mentioning Timothy’s release at the end of the epistle. Thus, Timothy was an important figure in the early growing Christian gentile church in the second half of the first century. This greeting is similar to all the other epistles of Paul, where Paul offered peace and grace. However, here there was an addition of mercy. This is a letter addressed to an individual person, Timothy, instead of a Christian church community as in most of the other Pauline epistles. What do you know about Timothy?
Timothy (1 Tim. 1:2)
“To Timothy,
My loyal child
In the faith,
Grace,
Mercy,
And peace
From God
The Father
And Jesus Christ
Our Lord.”
Τιμοθέῳ γνησίῳ τέκνῳ ἐν πίστει· χάρις, ἔλεος, εἰρήνη ἀπὸ Θεοῦ πατρὸς καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν.
Paul said, “To Timothy (Τιμοθέῳ), my loyal child (γνησίῳ τέκνῳ) in the faith (ἐν πίστει), grace (χάρις), mercy (ἔλεος) and peace (εἰρήνη) from God (ἀπὸ Θεοῦ) the Father (πατρὸς) and Jesus Christ (καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ), our Lord (τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν).” Only the Pauline letters used this word γνησίῳ, that means lawfully begotten, genuine, real, or true. Paul addressed this letter to Timothy. He called him his loyal or true spiritual child in the faith of Jesus Christ. Timothy was listed as the co-author in six epistles, nearly half of the other Pauline letters, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Timothy was a native of Lystra in Lycaonia, a respected member of the Christian congregation, as mentioned in Acts, chapter 16:1-3. In 1 Corinthians 16:10 there was a suggestion that he was by nature reserved and timid. Timothy became Paul’s disciple, and later his constant companion and co-worker in preaching, as a close traveling companion of Paul. Paul and Silas took Timothy along with them on their journey to Macedonia. Timothy was also with Paul in Ephesus. Paul left Timothy at Ephesus, to govern that church. He was also involved with the founding of the church community in Philippi. His relationship with Paul was close, so that Paul entrusted him with missions of great importance. Timothy was jailed at least once during the period of the writings of the New Testament since the writer of Hebrews mentioning Timothy’s release at the end of the epistle. Thus, Timothy was an important figure in the early growing Christian gentile church in the second half of the first century. This greeting is similar to all the other epistles of Paul, where Paul offered peace and grace. However, here there was an addition of mercy. This is the first letter addressed to an individual person, Timothy, instead of a Christian church community as all the other Pauline epistles up to this point. What do you know about Timothy?
Timothy (Rom 16:21)
“Timothy,
My fellow worker,
Greets you.
So do Lucius,
Jason,
And Sosipater,
My kinsmen.”
Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Τιμόθεος ὁ συνεργός μου, καὶ Λούκιος καὶ Ἰάσων καὶ Σωσίπατρος οἱ συγγενεῖς μου
Paul explained that Timothy (Τιμόθεος), his fellow worker (ὁ συνεργός μου), greeted them (Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς). So did Lucius (καὶ Λούκιος), Jason (καὶ Ἰάσων), and Sosipater (καὶ Σωσίπατρος), his kinsmen (οἱ συγγενεῖς μου). Timothy was an early Christian evangelist and probably the first Christian bishop of Ephesus. Timothy was from the Lycaonian city of Lystra in Asia Minor, born of a Jewish mother who had become a Christian believer, and a Greek father. The Apostle Paul met him during his second missionary journey and he became Paul’s companion and co-worker in Acts, chapters 16-20. Paul addressed him as the recipient of the First and Second Epistles to Timothy. Thus, Timothy was with Paul in Corinth during the winter of 57–58, when Paul dispatched this letter to the Romans. Timothy’s name appears as the co-author in other letters of Paul, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Lucius may be the same as the Lucius of Cyrene described as a prophet and teachers of the church at Antioch in Acts, chapter 13:1. Jason also appeared in Acts, chapter 17:5-9. as a Christian believing Jew who had hosted Paul and Silas. The angry jealous Jews got a mob together and attacked Jason’s house, only to find out that Paul and Silas were not there, since they thought that both of them might be there. However, they decided to drag Jason and some of the other believers before the city authorities. The main accusation against Jason and the other Christian believers was that they had accepted Paul and Silas into their house as guests. However, nothing came of this, since Jason posted the bail with a pledge of their security. Thus, the city magistrates let them go. On the other hand, we know very little about Sosipater, except that he was mentioned in Acts, chapter 20:4, as the red headed Sopater from Beroea. Do you have close friends who work with you?
Timothy (Acts 16:2)
“Timothy
Was well spoken of
By the believing brothers
At Lystra
And Iconium.”
ὃς ἐμαρτυρεῖτο ὑπὸ τῶν ἐν Λύστροις καὶ Ἰκονίῳ ἀδελφῶν.
The author of Acts indicated that Timothy was well spoken of (ὃς ἐμαρτυρεῖτο) by the believing brothers (ἀδελφῶν) at Lystra (ὑπὸ τῶν ἐν Λύστροις) and Iconium (καὶ Ἰκονίῳ). Both the believing Christian brothers in Lystra and Iconium thought highly of Timothy, since both of these towns were only about 20 miles apart from each other. Thus, Timothy had a fine reputation among the believing brothers in that area. Timothy was a native of Lystra in Lycaonia, already a respected member of the Christian congregation, as were his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, both Jews. In 2 Timothy 1:5, his mother and grandmother are noted as eminent for their piety and faith. In 1 Corinthians 16:10 there was a suggestion that he was by nature reserved and timid. Timothy became Paul’s disciple, and later his constant companion and co-worker in preaching, as a close traveling companion of Paul. Paul and Silas took Timothy along with them on their journey to Macedonia. When Paul went on to Athens, Silas and Timothy stayed for some time at Beroea and Thessalonica before joining Paul at Corinth. Timothy was also with Paul in Ephesus. Timothy arrived at Corinth just after Paul’s letter, 1 Corinthians reached that city. Paul left Timothy at Ephesus, to govern that church. His relationship with Paul was close and Paul entrusted him with missions of great importance. Timothy’s name also appears as the co-author on 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Paul wrote to the Philippians about Timothy, saying that he had no one like him (Philippians 2:19–23). When Paul was in prison and awaiting martyrdom, he summoned his faithful friend Timothy for a last farewell. Timothy was jailed at least once during the period of the writings of the New Testament since the writer of Hebrews mentioning Timothy’s release at the end of the epistle. In fact, two biblical letters were addressed to Timothy, 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. Thus, Timothy was an important figure in the early growing Christian gentile church in the second half of the first century. How much do you rely on a person’s reputation?
Judas Maccabeus and the nomads (2 Macc 12:10-12:12)
“When they had gone more than a mile from there, on their march against Timothy, at least five thousand Arabs with five hundred cavalry attacked them. After a hard fight Judas Maccabeus and his companions, with God’s help, were victorious. The defeated nomads begged Judas Maccabeus to grant them pledges of friendship, promising to give livestock. They promised to help his people in all other ways. Judas Maccabeus, realizing that they might indeed be useful in many ways, agreed to make peace with them. After receiving his pledges, they went back to their tents.”
This episode is not linked with the preceding episodes on the coast because this takes place on the east side of the Jordan River. This is more about the battles with Timothy, even though it says that they were only a mile away. In fact, it is fairly similar to 1 Maccabees, chapter 5. 5,000 Arabs and 500 cavalry attacked Judas Maccabeus and his troops. With God’s help he was victorious. However, the defeated nomads wanted to make friends with Judas Maccabeus. They promised to give him livestock and be helpful in other ways. Judas Maccabeus realized that they might be useful. Thus he made peace with them. This is one of the few stories where the defeated people begged for peace and Judas Maccabeus agreed to it. Otherwise, he normally just wiped them out.
Other problems for the Jews (2 Macc 12:1-12:2)
“When this agreement had been reached, Lysias returned to the king. The Jews went about their farming. But some of the governors in various places, Timothy and Apollonius son of Gennaeus, as well as Hieronymus and Demophon, and in addition to these Nicanor the governor of Cyprus, would not let them live quietly and in peace.”
Everything was settled with Antioch and the Seleucid Empire. However, there were others who would not leave the Jewish people live in peace. Timothy had already arrived on the scene, and had already been killed off earlier in chapter 10 of this book. This appears to be a different Apollonius, who was the brother of Timothy. Nicanor had already fought with the Jews. Here he was called the governor of Cyprus. The others are even more difficult to identify.
The anger of King Antiochus IV (2 Macc 9:1-9:4)
“About that time, as it happened, King Antiochus had retreated in disorder from the region of Persia. He had entered the city called Persepolis. He attempted to rob the temples and control the city. Therefore the people rushed to the rescue with arms. King Antiochus and his army were defeated. The result was that he was put to flight by the inhabitants as he beat a shameful retreat. While he was in Ecbatana, news came to him of what had happened to Nicanor and the forces of Timothy. Transported with rage, he conceived the idea of turning upon the Jews the injury done by those who had put him to flight. He ordered his charioteer to drive without stopping until he completed the journey. But the judgment of heaven rode with him! In his arrogance he said.
‘When I get there,
I will make Jerusalem a cemetery of Jews.’”
A similar story can be found in 1 Maccabees, chapter 6, where the beginning of the story is the same. Some of the details are different. The town with the temple was called Elymais in 1 Maccabees, but magnificent former capital Persepolis here. Instead of returning to Babylon in 1 Maccabees, here it is the summer capital of Persia, Ecbatana. In 1 Maccabees, it is Lysias who seemed to be in charge, while here it appears to be Nicanor and Timothy. However, there is a major difference in the reaction of King Antiochus IV. In 1 Maccabees, when King Antiochus IV heard the news about the Jewish victory, he was depressed and fell sick. He then had deathbed repentance for all that he had done to the Jews. Here instead of that, he got angry and wanted to make Jerusalem a Jewish cemetery. However, it is later in this chapter that he has his deathbed repentance. On top of that, there are more details about his illness here.
The attack on Dathema (1 Macc 5:29-5:34)
“They went all the way to the stronghold of Dathema. At dawn, they looked out and saw a large company that could not be counted, carrying ladders and engines of war to capture the stronghold. They were attacking the Jews within it. Judas saw that the battle had begun. The cry of the town went up to heaven with trumpets and loud shouts. Judas said to the men of his forces.
‘Fight today for your kindred’
Then he came up behind them in three companies. They sounded their trumpets. They cried aloud in prayer. When the army of Timothy realized that it was Maccabeus, they fled before him. He had dealt them a heavy blow. As many as eight thousand of them fell that day.”
Next Judas Maccabeus and his men went back to the stronghold of Dathema, where many of the Jews were at as was indicated earlier in this chapter. It must not have been that far from Bozrah since it only took one night to get there. However, when they arrived, the place was under attack by that wicked Timothy and his army. Judas Maccabeus called his troops to fight for their relatives. When Timothy and his group realized that Judas Maccabeus was attacking them, they fled with a loss of about 8,000 men.
The letter from Gilead (1 Macc 5:9-5:13)
“The gentiles in Gilead gathered together against the Israelites who lived in their territory. They planned to destroy them. However, they fled to the stronghold of Dathema. They sent to Judas and his brothers a letter which said.
‘The gentiles around us have gathered together against us
To destroy us.
They are preparing to come
And capture the stronghold
To which we have fled.
Timothy is leading their forces.
Now then come and rescue us from their hands.
Many of us have fallen.
All our kindred who were in the land of Tob have been killed.
The enemy has captured their wives, children, and goods.
They have destroyed about a thousand persons there.’”
The Jews who were in Gilead, which is on the east side of the border in the old Gad territory, were having troubles with the gentiles also. The gentiles there were planning to destroy them. They fled to a stronghold in Dathema in Gilead where they sent a letter to Judas and his brothers. They said that the gentiles had gathered around them to destroy them. They mentioned that the leader of the group against them was Timothy, which is the same name as the guy in charge of the Ammonites. We might assume that this group is also Ammonites. Nearby, about 13 miles southeast of Sea of Galilee was the land of Tob, where 1,000 Jewish people had been killed there. This was near the land of Ammon
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 