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Choosing Timothy
📖 Acts 16:01-03
Acts 16 - Series 01/Episode 03 - Wed, 27th May 2026 - Choosing Timothy - Acts 16:01-05 - THE INDUCTION OF TIMOTHY - II Timothy 01:05
Acts 16:1-3 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, *a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. (2) He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium*. (3) Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
Timothy was a disciple nurtured and trained by the believers in the regions of Lystra, Derbe, and Iconium. Timothy had a great and godly heritage. II Timothy 1:5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
We know that his father was of Greek descent. Luke does not record if Timothy's father was a believer, and we also see that Paul had Timothy circumcised because everyone knew that Timothy's father was Greek. Born to a Jewish mother, it would be important to affirm whether Timothy identified with the Jewish people or not. Paul was removing an unnecessary hindrance to Timothy's ministry among the Jews.
As a family, they were witnessing to their Greek father. Timothy was taught the Scriptures by his mother and grandmother, which implies that Timothy's mother must have been a witness to her Greek husband. This was known to all the believers in that region. I Peter 3:1-4 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, (2) when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. (3) Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel- (4) rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
This is the teaching for those who are in a context where members of our family have not come to faith in Jesus. Titus 2:7-8 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, (8) sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
God brings unbelieving members of the family to faith in Him at His time. The family of our Lord were initially against Him. John 7:5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him. After our Lord's resurrection, they believed. Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
We must also note that though Timothy's father was a Greek and not a believer, he did not prevent Timothy from being taught the Scriptures by his mother and grandmother. He did not prevent Timothy from being circumcised or from joining Paul in the ministry. Maybe a seed was being planted in the heart of Timothy's father as he watched the works of the kingdom of God happening in his family.
We must trust God's timing to make all things good. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. / Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Timothy was raised in the Scriptures by a God-fearing mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois. What did Timothy learn from them? II Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which can make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Timothy's life was also an example of the truth of training the child. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. / Deuteronomy 6:6-7 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. (7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Are we doing this with our children and grandchildren today? I believe there is a significant gap in the church. We do many other things for our children, but the one crucial learning and training, which is the Scriptures, is neglected. We see the effect of this bankruptcy in the church. The other matter that is poignant here is that teaching and training of the Scriptures is done not as a formal learning but through everyday life situations. The Scriptures must be taught by demonstration.
Timothy came from this school of demonstrative teaching and learning of the Scriptures. We can understand why Paul had no hesitation in choosing Timothy to go with him.
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