Chosen by Paul

Paul found the young disciple Timothy when the apostle visited Lystra (in modern-day Turkey) on his second missionary journey is about C.E. Likely in his late teens or early 20's, Timothy was well spoken of by Christians in Lystra and Iconicum.  (Acts 16:1-3)  He lived up  to his name which means "One Who Honors God."  From childhood, Timothy had been taught from the Holy Scriptures by his grandmother Lois and his mother, Eunice.  (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14, 15) They had probably embraced Christianity during Paul's first visit to their city a couple of years earlier.  Now, through the operation of holy spirit, a certain prediction indicated what Timothy's future would be.  (1 Timothy 1:18) In harmony with that direction, Paul and the older men of the congregation laid their hands upon the young man, therefore, setting him apart for a particular service, and the apostle chose him as a missionary companion. -1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6.

Since his father was an unbelieving  Greek, Timothy has not been circumcised.  Of course, this was not a Christians requirement.  To remove a stumbling block for the Jews they would be visiting, however, Timothy submitted to this painful procedure. -Acts 16:3.

Was Timothy previously considered a Jew?  Some scholars argue that according to rabbinic authorities, "the status of the offspring of intermarriage is determined by its mother, not its father."  That is,  "a Jewish woman bears Jewish children. "  Yet, writer Shaye Cohen questions whether such "rabbinic law of persons was already in existence in the first century C.E."  And whether it was observed by the Jews of Asia Minor.  After considering the historic evidence, he concludes that when Gentile men married Israelite women,  "the children of these marriages were considered Israelite only if the family lived among the Israelites.  Lineage was matrilineal when it was matrilocal. When the Israelite  woman moved abroad to join her Gentile husband, her children were considered Gentile."  In any case, Timothy's mixed parentage must have been an asset in the preaching work.  He would have no problems relating to Jews or Gentiles, perhaps enabling him to bridge gaps between them.

Paul's visit to Lystra signaled a turning point in Timothy's life.  The young man's willingness to follow the guidance of holy spirit and humbly cooperate with Christian elders led to great blessings and privileges of service.  Whether he realized it at the time or not, under Paul's direction Timothy would later be used in important theocratic assignments, taking him as far from home as Rome, the capital of the empire.

Next time: Timothy Promoted Kingdom Interests

The Watchtower, 1999