[15], Timothy's father was a Greek Gentile. Paul's Journey to Cyprus, Pamphylia & Galatia, Paul & Barnabas return to Antioch in Syria, Paul & Barnabas attend the Council of Jerusalem, Paul & Barnabas take the decision to Antioch, 10. Paul was writing from, ). On the other hand, in a few ancient documents, we see that some Christians were conferring on Eve an almost divine status. [30] The remains were re-discovered in 1945, during restoration works. These texts were penned in the second and third centuries, perhaps one hundred or more years after First Timothy was written. It woulddevelop into highly organised and complicated mythological systems during the second and third centuries. Moreover, Pauls preceding statement in 1 Timothy 2:4 is that God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. The salvation Paul taught was for everyone; it was not reliant on secret knowledge and it was not for the few who could achieve transcendence. Timothy was from the Lycaonian city of Lystra[10] or of Derbe[2][3] in Asia Minor, born of a Jewish mother who had become a Christian believer, and a Greek father. Text in Usener 1877, 11.4851; English translation from Lawson 1910, 222. Timothy was a native of Lystra or of Derbe in Lycaonia (Anatolia). Isaiah offers comfort to those in exile, Words of comfort after the fall of Jerusalem, Those returning are encouraged to follow the LORD, The LORD's blessing will rest on Jerusalem, 41. Timothy later stayed with Paul during his house arrest in, ). They believed that salvation was achieved when one ascended to the realm of the deities and became acquainted with, or had knowledge of, the divine. Grace be with you. 1 Timothy 6:20-21(NASB, underline added.). Arnold, Ephesians: Power and Magic (Cambridge:Cambridge University Press, 1989), 12. A new nation? [citation needed], Timothy was with Paul in Corinth during the winter of 5758 when Paul dispatched his Letter to the Romans. 1:4-11 He warns Timothy about the false doctrines that are circulating amongst the believers in Ephesus. 1 Tim. One way of dealing with new beliefs is to syncretise them with old beliefs. 
The men and women have not had the education and are digging in hard against women in ministry. Nevertheless, the endlessgenealogies that Paul mentions in 1 Timothy 1:4 might refer to a concept similar to that of the complex series of emanations, or aeons, that is a feature in some Gnostic teachings. In the Hellenistic Greek world, and later in the Roman Empire, both Greek and Eastern religious ideas, as well as philosophy, influenced local indigenous cults, including the Ephesian cult of Artemis. The Letter to the Jewish believers in Antioch, The General Letters: James, Jude, Peter & John, The Letter of James to the Jewish believers, The Letter of Jude to the Jewish believers, The 1st Letter of Peter to the Jewish believers, The 2nd Letter of Peter to the Jewish believers, 19. [12] When Paul and Barnabas first visited Lystra, Paul healed a person crippled from birth, leading many of the inhabitants to accept his teaching. [1] Note that certain men used in the NIV 1984 translation of this verse may not be a completely accurate translation from the Greek. Or eternal life in God's kingdom? Paul then sent Timothy back to Thessalonica (see 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5) but he re-joined Paul in Corinth (see 1 Thessalonians 3:6 & Acts 18:5). Ill look out for those similarities. When he returned a few years later with Silas, Timothy was already a respected member of the Christian congregation, as were his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, both Jews. Nevertheless, since Artemis and Gnosticism are frequently brought up in discussions on 1 Timothy 2:12, I wanted to provide a discussion on these topics and provide corrections to some of the more extreme claims sometimes made. Saint Timothy is also the protagonist of Gore Vidal's novel Live from Golgotha (1992). Thanks, John. 1 Tim. Tit. John's Letters to the believers in Asia Minor, 20. Paul therefore circumcised him as a Jewish believer (see Acts 16:1-3). Tradition, probably based on New Testament inferences, made him first bishop of Ephesus, where he was allegedly martyred under the Roman emperor Nerva.
E.E. He is also mentioned in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and 2 Corinthians. One or a number of these merging streams may have been converging in the first century forming the beginning of Gnosis. Using the website implies your agreement to the use of cookies. [10] 1 Timothy 2:5 also addresses a belief that Gnostics held. Your research is very welcome!
There are several surviving Gnostic creation accounts that give Eve primacy over Adam. Having studied Greek in Seminary I was and am to work through these passages; however, I lack the indebt grammatical expertise that you have. (Some scholars consider the Valentinians as Gnostic, while other scholars assert they borrowed ideas from Gnostics but were not Gnostics themselves.) [More about Gnosticism in footnote 6]. 1:12-17 Paul thanks God that, through Gods undeserved love, he has been appointed to serve Jesus Christ, even though, in the past, he insulted and persecuted him. ).
We will come back to Eve below. 1 Tim.
The new NIV (2011) has translated it as certain people. Women were among those spreading profane stories and myths in the Ephesian church (e.g., 1 Tim. The merging of different religious practices and ideologies (syncretism) was a feature of the Hellenistic period. 
Ellis, Pastoral Epistles, Dictionaryof Paul and His Letters, Gerald Hawthorne and Ralph Martin (eds) (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 658-666, 663. He was later imprisoned and then released, probably during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero following the Great Fire of Rome in 64AD (see Hebrews 13:23). [19], His relationship with Paul was close. The Philosopher, the Lover & the Mourner, Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets, Amos denounces social injustice in Israel, Hosea laments the unfaithfulness of Israel, Micah decries social injustice in Israel and Judah, 39. Adam and Eve in Ancient Gnostic Literature. Irenaeus recognised traits of Gnosticism in 1 Timothy. [citation needed], Timothy became St Paul's disciple, and later his constant companion and co-worker in preaching. 2. In fact we could use the Greek AUTHENTEIN used in Timothy!
[11] Some strains of Judaism were influenced by the teachings and practices of Jewish sorcerers and exorcists who were well known in the Greco-Roman world, including the cities of Asia Minor such as Ephesus. The Golden Age of Israel under King Solomon, Solomon builds a palace and furnishes the Temple, The Ark of the Covenant is installed in the Temple, Solomon builds a network of chariot cities, 32. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Your email address will not be published. [5] Perhaps the false teaching in the Ephesian church involved syncretistic, or early Gnostic, heresies. Part 2 Artemis of Ephesus and her Temple He emphasises that Gods work is achieved by faith, not by following genealogies and Jewish myths or by keeping the Jewish law. Several New Testament letters address various problems associated with gnostic-like beliefs, in particular, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, 2 Peter and Johns letters. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 
[6] Gnosticism rapidly grew at the same time, and in many of the same places, where the gospel was advancing.
In the 4th century, the relics of Timothy were transferred from Ephesus to Constantinople and placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles near the tombs of Andrew and Luke. While included in the Pauline epistles of the New Testament, First and Second Timothy are considered by many biblical scholars to be pseudoepigraphical and not written by Paul. It also summarizes Ken Baileys interpretation of this passage. At that moment in time the divine spark, or spirit, or mind was released from its material earthly body. Haggai & Zechariah encourage re-building, Haggai urges the exiles to re-build the Temple, Prophesies about the coming of the Messiah, 47. In 2 Timothy 1:5,[13] his mother and grandmother are noted as eminent for their piety and faith. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Would you like to support my ministry of encouraging mutuality and equality between men and women in the church and in marriage?
This work is commonly called Against Heresies; however, its true or full titleis: On the Detection and Overthrow of the Falsely-called Knowledge (Greek: Gnsis). Paul left Timothy in charge of the young church at Ephesus.
Martin, Hellenistic Religions: An Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987), 81. [38] He also entreats Timothy to come to him before winter, and to bring Mark with him. The Israelites journey from Egypt to Mt Sinai, 26. Despite the numerous scholarly attempts to ascertain both the nature of the disease and the authors precise definition of healthy teaching, the issue remains unresolved because the authors purpose was not to draw a profile of this disease, but to warn against it. I am in process and thanks to you I can see more clearly. I pray that God will richly bless you and your work! Part 5 1 Timothy 2:13-15: The Creation and Salvation of Woman, Kephaland Proto-Gnosticism in Pauls Letters Thank you again. Part 4 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Phrase by Phrase Was Jesus an outspoken rabbi or was he God? 1 Timothy 2:12 has indeed caused a lot of suffering, but this was never Pauls intention. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Timothy, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Online - Timothy. From the 13th century until 1969 the feast of Timothy (alone) was on 24 January, the day before that of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Furthermore, God is portrayed positively in 1 Timothy, and not like the distant god of the Gnostics who was not nice. [11], The teachings Irenaeus attributes to the Gnostics includes retellings of the Genesis stories of the creation, Adam and Eve, and the fall.[12] The ancient Gnostic texts found in Nag Hammadi in Egypt in 1945 confirms Irenaeuss observations. There was not one religion or one sect of Gnosticism but several schools of thought that shared some similar ideas. 8-11; IgnTrall. Timothy is venerated as an apostle, saint, and martyr by the Eastern Orthodox Church, with his feast day on 22 January. After Pauls release, he accompanied him to Ephesus (see 1 Timothy 1:3 and 2 on Map 28). [14] Gnostic texts from Nag Hammadi that give Eve primacy includeApocryphon of John, Gospel of Philip, Hypostasis of the Archon, Thunder: Perfect Mind, and Apocalypse of Adam. Timothy accompanied Paul to Ephesus on his third missionary journey in 53-57AD (see Map 25), and was sent on ahead to Philippi in Macedonia (northern Greece) (see Acts 19:22) before travelling on to Corinth in Achaia (southern Greece) (see 1 Corinthians 4:17 & 16:10). Updates? Like Platonists, they believed that matter was bad, or not real, and that spirit was good and truth. Timothy's name appears as the co-author on 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. [13] Elaine Pagels, Adam, Eve and the Serpent (New York: Vintage Books, 1989), 68. He was later imprisoned and then released, probably during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero following the Great Fire of, 1. Tertullian (160-220) identified the false teaching in the Ephesian church as an early, emerging form of Gnosticism. In this letter, Paul warns Timothy about false teachings and advises him about Christian worship and church administration. It has taken me years to work through these passages. I am so thankful for your expertise in Greek and your hard work in trying to help men and in understanding the truth about Gods call to women. For the Gnostics, Christ is a divine being, one of many aeons. In the Pastoral Epistles he is solely in charge of the Christians at Ephesus, possibly the site of his release from prison as chronicled in Hebrews 13:23. [18], That Timothy was jailed at least once during the period of the writing of the New Testament is implied by the writer of Hebrews mentioning Timothy's release at the end of the epistle. Timothy later stayed with Paul during his house arrest in Rome in 60-62AD (see Colossians 1:1, Philemon 1:1 & Philippians 1:1). The Journey continues from Sinai to Moab, The Israelites defeat King Sihon and King Og, The Israelites defeat the kings of Midian, Canaan is divided among the twelve tribes, 28. Paul declares his primary reason for writing to Timothy right at the beginning of his letter. Corrections? On the other hand, much of the sound teaching in the Pastorals does have to do with moral behaviour (e.g., Titus 2:1). Timothy was a believer from Lystra in Galatia who was probably converted on Pauls first missionary journey in 47 or 48AD (see Map 23), and joined Paul on his second missionary journey in 50-52AD (see Map 24).
Augustine extols his zeal and disinterestedness in immediately forsaking his country, his house, and his parents, to follow the apostle, to share in his poverty and sufferings. St. John of Damascus states that Timothy witnessed the end of the life of the Virgin Mary. Then, under Nerva, Timothy suffers a martyr's death during a pagan festival. Pauls two Pastoral Epistles addressed to Timothy reveal concern for his well-being, and he is praised in 1 Corinthians, Philippians, and Romans. LInda Lawler, This is my overall take of 1 Timothy 2:12: You can support my work for as little as $3 USD a month. [7]Tertullian provides a detailed account and refutation of the Valentinians. Your email address will not be published. As the presence of his name in the first verses of Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians indicates, he was subsequently associated with Pauls imprisonment at Ephesus. These apostate Jews combined Judaism with the occult (Acts 13:6-11; 19:13-19; cf. In Roman Catholicism, for example, many of the Madonnas or Our Ladies started off as local pagan goddesses that were later morphed into Marys when Christianity came. How to get right with God: Sacrifice or Faith? Cynthia Long Westfall notes, Historically, older women are often the story bearers of the culture, and they transmit the culture from generation to generation through myths, fairy tales, and lore that are repeated in front of the hearth and at bedtime. Westfall, Paul and Gender:Reclaiming the Apostles Vision for Men and Women in Christ(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016), 302-303. "[25] When Paul was in prison and awaiting martyrdom, he summoned his faithful friend Timothy for a last farewell. Gnosticism threatened more orthodox expressions of Christianity in the second and third centuries AD. Part 1 Introduction: Using 1 Timothy 2:12 as a Proof Text, Part 2 Artemis of Ephesus and her Temple, Part 4 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Phrase by Phrase, Part 5 1 Timothy 2:13-15: The Creation and Salvation of Woman, Kephaland Proto-Gnosticism in Pauls Letters, Adam and Eve in Ancient Gnostic Literature, https://margmowczko.com/interpretation-of-1-timothy-212/, https://margmowczko.com/kenneth-bailey-new-testament-women-videos/, A Close Look at Colossians 3:19 (Husbands), The Woman on the Scarlet Beast in Revelation 17. This work opens with Irenaeus remarking on endless genealogies, a phrase copied from 1 Timothy 1:4. Thanks, Brittany. This website uses cookies to monitor usage (see Privacy Statement in drop-down box under 'Contact Us'). The Journeys of Isaac, Jacob & Joseph, Jacob cheats Esau and flees to Mesopotamia, 25. [18] Later on in the 13th century, the relics seem to have been taken to Italy by a count returning from the crusades, and buried around 1239 in the Termoli Cathedral. Paul's Journey to Phrygia, Macedonia & Archaia, 11. Ive been reading in Platos Theaetetus, Sophist and Statesman. Legitimate and illegitimate use of genealogies; babbling old women, old wives chatter; the Sophists abuse of myths, stories and tales; Socrates spoke prophetically of Theaetetus, foreseeing his success as a philosopher; to improve in knowledge to a wonderful extentas it seems to them and everyone else; to be given over to another teacher if they dont do well; an extensive criticism of Ephesians: impossible to discuss with, they regard one another as knowing nothing. They represented one stage of a continuing counter-mission which appears in Ignatius (IgnMagn. 9; c.110) as a kind of Judaism crossed with Gnosticism (Lightfoot) that denied not only Christs resurrection but also his physical incarnation and death, and which later developed or merged into the full-blown Gnostic heresies. For example, Gnostics often depicted Eveor the feminine spiritual power she representedas the source of spiritual awakening.[13] Eve as spirit was frequently seen as bringing life when united with Adams soul.. Become a Patron! He seems to equate the Ephesians with the Sophist: money making, disputative, controversial, pugnacious, combative, using fictitious arguments, repeating of myths or story, etc. [12] David Brakke,The Gnostics: Myth, Ritual and Diversity in Early Christianity (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2010), 36. Paul was concerned because the pure and sincere faith (1 Tim. 
Ezekiel warns of the conquest of Jerusalem, Ezekiel's vision of idolatry in the Temple, Ezekiel speaks through prophesies and parables, Further prophecies & the fall of Jerusalem, Hope for the future - New life for Israel, 45. John's Revelation to the 7 Churches of Asia, John's Letter to the 7 Churches of Asia Minor, The messages to the believers on the coastal plain, The messages to the believers living inland, 21. . According to John William McGarvey:[17] "Yet we see him in the case before us, circumcising Timothy with his own hand, and this 'on account of certain Jews who were in those quarters'". Early Christian Gnostics, many of whom were Jewish, combined aspects of Judaism and the Old Testament Law, or Torah, into their beliefs. Timothy is honored on the calendars of the Church of England and the Episcopal Church (with Titus) on 26 January.[28][29]. Timothy is said to have been acquainted with the Scriptures since childhood. Paul was writing from Philippi in Macedonia (northern Greece) shortly after leaving Timothy in Ephesus to take charge of the church there (see 1 Timothy 1:3 and Map 27). Paul closes his first letter to Timothy with one final exhortation concerning this serious issue of a Gnostic-like heresy: O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding profane chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge (gnsis)which some have professed and thus goneastray from the faith. Omissions? While the heresy in the Ephesian church may have incorporated some pagan beliefs or practices from the cult of Artemis, there is no concrete evidence of this.
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. [20], When Paul went on to Athens, Silas and Timothy stayed for some time at Beroea and Thessalonica before joining Paul at Corinth. The power of the Holy Spirit - for everyone? She, too, fills her palm, but more sparingly, for a Jew will tell you dreams of any kind you please for the minutest of coins. (Source). He apparently accompanied Paul to Ephesus and Asia Minor (Acts 19:22; 1 Corinthians 16:1011). I am presently dealing with my church regarding these issues.
1:6-11). And the great goddess, or feminine principle, was universally sovereign. In his Sixth Satire, the Roman author Juvenal (55-140) speaks sarcastically about a Jewish woman who is a crippled beggar but claims special powers: No sooner has that fellow departed than a palsied Jewess, leaving her basket and her truss of hay, comes begging to her secret ear; she is an interpreter of the laws of Jerusalem, a high priestess of the tree, a trusty go-between of highest heaven. Timothy or Timothy of Ephesus (Greek: ; Timtheos, meaning "honouring God" or "honoured by God"[8]) was an early Christian evangelist and the first Christian bishop of Ephesus,[9] who tradition relates died around the year AD 97. "[44][45], The Acts of Timothy contain almost as much material about John the Evangelist, who was also a resident of Ephesus as they do about Timothy. [26], Although not stated in the New Testament, other sources have records of the apostle's death. https://youtu.be/VI1yRTC6kGE.
[See previous footnote.]. Israel becomes a kingdom under Saul and David, Jonathan demolishes the Philistine pillar at Geba, Saul is killed by the Philistines at Mt Gilboa, The Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem, David's victories over Israel's neighbours, Absalom's flight & his rebellion against David, 31. Text, maps & photos (unless otherwise stated) by Chris & Jenifer Taylor 2022.
In 1 Timothy we are told that the Law was being misused by some in Ephesus (1 Tim. ]died ad 97, Ephesus [now in Turkey]; Western feast day January 24 [in Roman church January 26 with Titus], Eastern feast day January 22), disciple of St. Paul the Apostle, whom he accompanied on his missions; traditional martyr and first bishop of Ephesus. [19] Timothy may have been subject to ill health or "frequent ailments", and Paul encouraged him to "use a little wine for your stomach's sake". [27] Along with Titus and Silas, Timothy is commemorated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on 26 January. 1 Tim. Im glad my articles are useful to you. Required fields are marked *. I have a problem with the idea that Jewish scribes made up the idea that Shem was Melchizedek and then tampered with the Hebrew scriptures to make Shem old enough to have passed on a priesthood to Abraham, and that they did it all to disprove a point written in a letter that may not have been widely distributed until well after Paul wrote 1 Timothy. Paul's Journey to Ephesus, Philippi & Corinth, The Ephesians are filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul meets violent opposition in Jerusalem, 13. https://margmowczko.com/kenneth-bailey-new-testament-women-videos/, Heres a link that discusses the origins of endless genealogies. Simon Magus in Acts 8:9-15). All Rights Reserved. 1:10) who. Christian Gnostics borrowed ideas from Greek philosophy and pagan faiths,which were blended with Christian concepts. After a customary greeting Paul writes: . Its not known who carried the letter from Philippi to Ephesus. This knowledge is secret and esoteric, however. [24] In the year 64, Paul left Timothy at Ephesus, to govern that church. [42][43] Timothy "attempts to put an end to the wild and violent goings-on but himself falls victim to the orgies. . And I think the law in 1 Tim 1:7-9 most likely refers to the Jewish scriptures that were being mishandled. In his description of a developed Gnostic heresy, Tertullian used Pauls own expression of myths and endless genealogies, and he added, which the inspired apostle [Paul] by anticipation condemned, whilst the seeds of heresy were even then shooting forth.[7] Irenaeus, writing in about 180, also identified the false teaching in the first-century Ephesian church as a kind of Gnosticism. 1:18-20 Paul encourages Timothy to keep his faith strong in order to fulfil the words from God spoken about him in the past. [21] According to Acts 20:3-6,[22] Timothy was with Paul in Macedonia just before Passover in 58; he left the city before Paul, going ahead of him to await Paul in Troas. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150c. Is the Beloved Disciple in Johns Gospel a Woman. [14] Moreover, Eve was a heroine to the Gnostics because she desired knowledge (gnsis) (Gen. 3:6). Paul wrote to the Philippians about Timothy, "I have no one like him. His father was a Gentile (and was probably a Roman citizen) but his mother was Jewish, so he was regarded by the Jews as Jewish as was anyone with a Jewish mother. There are two letters to Timothy attributed to Paul the Apostle, First Epistle to Timothy and Second Epistle to Timothy. Obadiah foretells the punishment of Edom, Obadiah prophesies the resurgence of Israel, 46. "Saint Timothy, Bishop", Santi e Beati, February 1, 2001", "Titus and Timothy, Companions of Saint Paul", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_Timothy&oldid=1099230921, Burials at the Church of the Holy Apostles, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2021, Articles needing additional references from July 2021, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Invoked against stomach and intestinal disorders, This page was last edited on 19 July 2022, at 17:36. The Acts of Timothy (Acta Timothei) is a work of New Testament apocrypha, most likely from the 5th century. How to get right with God: By water or the Spirit? Still, he is the redeemer who revealed the true truth necessary for salvation. (Paedagogus, Book 3, Chapter 4). On his second visit to Lystra in 50, Paul discovered Timothy, taking him as a colleague but first circumcising him out of respect for his Jewish mother and the custom of the Jews in whose communities they were to do mission work (Acts 16:13). The Apostle Paul met him during his second missionary journey and he became Paul's companion and missionary partner along with Silas.