Timothy, Bishop and Martyr

Timothy was living in Lystra when St. Paul visited there around the year 47. He joined that saint for the second and third of his missionary journeys and is frequently mentioned in the Bible in both the Acts of the Apostles and in Paul’s letters. Timothy was with Paul at the founding of the church in Corinth. He was probably with Paul when the apostle was imprisoned in Caesarea and, later, in Rome. Timothy was himself imprisoned, but was later set free.

In the second letter to Timothy, the most personal of all his writings, Paul is nearing the end of his life (“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tm 4:7). He gives Timothy further advice on how to conduct his ministry, and tells him to “be strong in the grace which is ours in Christ Jesus.”

Tradition tells us that Timothy followed Paul’s advice and used his gifts well. He was indeed “strong in the grace which is ours in Christ Jesus.” Jesus asks us to do the same, that is, to use our gifts well and be strong in the grace that God gives us.