First and Second Timothy

Paul’s first epistle to Timothy was written from Macedonia to Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3). It contains instruction for Timothy himself and, more generally, for the conduct of the individual in the assembly. The second epistle was written at a later date from prison and would appear to be Paul’s final epistle (2 Tim. 1:8, 4:6).
Timothy was a young man of Greek and Jewish descent. Of his Greek father we read nothing (Acts 16:1), however, his grandmother and mother were both faithful women (2 Tim. 1:5). Timothy was much loved by the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 4:17; 2 Tim. 1:2). Apparently timorous, Paul finds it needful to encourage him (1 Tim. 4:12; 2 Tim. 1:6-7). Physically, he was afflicted by illness (1 Tim. 5:23). Though Timothy may have lacked earthly credentials, Paul could say of him, “I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state” (Phil. 2:20).