Timothy
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(honoring God)—the name of two persons. (1) (1 Macc. 5:6–7 and elsewhere) a commander who fought the Jews during the campaigns of Judas Maccabeus. (2) (Acts 16:1–3; Rom. 16:21; 1 Tim. 1:2) Paul’s younger coworker, encountered at Lystra. His mother Eunice was Jewish and his father Greek; his grandmother Lois and his mother nurtured him in faith and knowledge of Scripture (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). Paul circumcised him because of the Jews in that region, then took him as a companion and repeatedly sent him to strengthen churches. Paul calls him his beloved and faithful child in the Lord and praises his sincere concern for believers (1 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 2:19–22).