Scripture Stories
Letters to Timothy—Paul counsels his young friend


1 and 2 Timothy

Letters to Timothy

Paul counsels his young friend

Timothy being taught by his mother and grandmother.

Timothy was a young man with strong faith in Jesus Christ. His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were also women of great faith. They taught Timothy from the scriptures, even when he was a child.

2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15

Paul and Timothy walking together. Paul is holding up a cloth to protect them from the rain.

Timothy and Paul were good friends. They had worked and traveled together, serving the Lord and sharing His gospel. Paul loved Timothy like a son.

Philippians 2:19–22; 1 Timothy 1:2

Paul instructing Timothy to go to Ephesus to lead the Church there.

Paul asked Timothy to lead the Church in Ephesus. Paul had to go to another city. While he was away, he wrote Timothy a letter to help him.

1 Timothy 1:1–3

Timothy observes people rejecting the gospel.

Later, when Paul was in prison in Rome, he wrote Timothy another letter. He warned Timothy that hard times would come. Some people would turn away from the truth and love the things of the world more than God. They would teach things that are not true.

2 Timothy 3:1–7; 4:3–4

Timothy teaching a group of Saints about the gospel.

Paul told Timothy not to be afraid. He said, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love.” Paul told Timothy to continue doing the things he had learned. The scriptures would lead him to Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 1:7–9; 3:14–17

Paul in prison in Rome.

Paul knew that his life would soon be over. But he wasn’t afraid to die. Paul told Timothy that even though he had been through many challenges in his life, he had kept his faith strong. He trusted that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ would give him eternal life.

2 Timothy 4:6–8