Acts of Timothy
Encyclopedia
The Acts of Timothy are a work of New Testament apocrypha
, most likely from the 5th century, which are primarily concerned with portraying the apostle Timothy as the first bishop of Ephesus
and describing his death during a violent pagan festival in the same town.
translation (BHL
8294) included in the second volume of the Acta Sanctorum
in 1643. Photius, the learned patriarch of Constantinople
, had read the Greek
original and had given an account in his Bibliotheca
(Codex 254). Then in 1877 Hermann Usener edited the Greek
original (BHG
1847), which had been located in Paris Codex Gr. 1219 (from the 11th or 12th century).
The Latin
version attributes the Acts to Polycrates of Ephesus
(c. 130-196); however, the Greek
original has no such attestation, thus indicating that such an ascription of authorship was a later addition. Usener dated the Acts before 356, probably between 320 and 340, and thought they were based on a veritable history of the Ephesian church. Shortly after its publication Theodor Zahn
raised several issues concerning Usener's dating. One problem was the statement in the Acts that Lystra
was in the province (eparchy
) of Lycaonia
. Zahn pointed out that Lycaonia
was not a separate province until after c. 370. Accordingly, most scholars put the time of composition no earlier than the fifth century. Another more recently observed problem is the two named proconsuls
of Asia, Maximus and Peregrinus. Barnes has demonstrated that both these individuals are fictitious. Thus, the trustworthiness of the Acts as a source for historical information is somewhat impaired. Nevertheless, the author does display local knowledge of the topography and culture of Ephesus
.
's reign on the occasion of a visit to Ephesus
which they made together. Then, under Nerva
, Timothy suffers a martyr's death during a pagan
festival. In this "devilish and abominable festival," as Photius calls it men with masks on their faces and with clubs in their hands went about "assaulting without restraint free men and respectable women, perpetrating murders of no common sort and shedding endless blood in the best parts of the city, as if they were performing a religious duty." Scholars have identified this festival, called katagogia (roughly, "the bringing down"), with the cult of Dionysus
. As Klauck describes it, Timothy "attempts to put an end to the wild and violent goings-on but himself falls victim to the orgies."
In addition to the activities of Timothy, there is almost as much material about John the Evangelist
, who was also a resident of Ephesus
. Usener explains this odd situation as being due perhaps to the material having come originally from an earlier history of the Ephesian church. The Acts also contain an interesting passage on the formation of the fourfold gospel.
Whereas Lipsius had seen this account as a dressing-up of what was in Eusebius
(hist. eccl. III 24, 7), Crehan views it as evidence for an earlier date for the Acts. He argues that Lipsius "does not attach due importance to the circumstantial account in the Acta of the papyri
and of their titling by John, an account which it would have been difficult for a forger in the days of the big vellum
codices
(after 320) to make up for himself."
New Testament apocrypha
The New Testament apocrypha are a number of writings by early Christians that claim to be accounts of Jesus and his teachings, the nature of God, or the teachings of his apostles and of their lives. These writings often have links with books regarded as "canonical"...
, most likely from the 5th century, which are primarily concerned with portraying the apostle Timothy as the first bishop of Ephesus
Ephesus
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era...
and describing his death during a violent pagan festival in the same town.
History
For many years these Acts were known only through a LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
translation (BHL
Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina
The Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina is a catalogue of Latin hagiographic materials, including ancient literary works on the saint's lives, the translations of their relics, and their miracles, arranged alphabetically by saint. It is usually abbreviated as BHL in scholarly literature. The...
8294) included in the second volume of the Acta Sanctorum
Acta Sanctorum
Acta Sanctorum is an encyclopedic text in 68 folio volumes of documents examining the lives of Christian saints, in essence a critical hagiography, which is organised according to each saint's feast day. It begins with two January volumes, published in 1643, and ended with the Propylaeum to...
in 1643. Photius, the learned patriarch of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, had read the Greek
Medieval Greek
Medieval Greek, also known as Byzantine Greek, is the stage of the Greek language between the beginning of the Middle Ages around 600 and the Ottoman conquest of the city of Constantinople in 1453. The latter date marked the end of the Middle Ages in Southeast Europe...
original and had given an account in his Bibliotheca
Bibliotheca (Photius)
The Bibliotheca or Myriobiblon was a 9th century work of Byzantine Patriarch Photius, dedicated to his brother and composed of 279 reviews of books which he had read. It was not meant to be used as a reference work, but was widely used as such in the 9th century, and is generally seen as the first...
(Codex 254). Then in 1877 Hermann Usener edited the Greek
Medieval Greek
Medieval Greek, also known as Byzantine Greek, is the stage of the Greek language between the beginning of the Middle Ages around 600 and the Ottoman conquest of the city of Constantinople in 1453. The latter date marked the end of the Middle Ages in Southeast Europe...
original (BHG
Bibliotheca Hagiographica Graeca
The Bibliotheca Hagiographica Graeca is a catalogue of Greek hagiographic materials, including ancient literary works on the saint's lives, the translations of their relics, and their miracles, arranged alphabetically by saint. It is usually abbreviated as BHG in scholarly literature. The...
1847), which had been located in Paris Codex Gr. 1219 (from the 11th or 12th century).
The Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
version attributes the Acts to Polycrates of Ephesus
Polycrates of Ephesus
Polycrates of Ephesus was an Early Christian bishop who resided in Ephesus.Roberts and Donaldson noted that Polycrates "belonged to a family in which he was the eighth Christian bishop; and he presided over the church of Ephesus, in which the traditions of St. John were yet fresh in men's minds at...
(c. 130-196); however, the Greek
Medieval Greek
Medieval Greek, also known as Byzantine Greek, is the stage of the Greek language between the beginning of the Middle Ages around 600 and the Ottoman conquest of the city of Constantinople in 1453. The latter date marked the end of the Middle Ages in Southeast Europe...
original has no such attestation, thus indicating that such an ascription of authorship was a later addition. Usener dated the Acts before 356, probably between 320 and 340, and thought they were based on a veritable history of the Ephesian church. Shortly after its publication Theodor Zahn
Theodor Zahn
Theodor Zahn or Theodor von Zahn was a biblical scholar born in Rhineland, Prussia . He was professor of Theology at Erlangen, and distinguished for his eminent scholarship in connection with the matter especially of the New Testament canon. He stood at the head of the conservative New Testament...
raised several issues concerning Usener's dating. One problem was the statement in the Acts that Lystra
Lystra
Lystra was a city in what is now modern Turkey. It is mentioned five times in the New Testament. It was visited a few times by the Apostle Paul, along with Barnabas or Silas.-Location:...
was in the province (eparchy
Eparchy
Eparchy is an anglicized Greek word , authentically Latinized as eparchia and loosely translating as 'rule over something,' like province, prefecture, or territory, to have the jurisdiction over, it has specific meanings both in politics, history and in the hierarchy of the Eastern Christian...
) of Lycaonia
Lycaonia
In ancient geography, Lycaonia was a large region in the interior of Asia Minor, north of Mount Taurus. It was bounded on the east by Cappadocia, on the north by Galatia, on the west by Phrygia and Pisidia, while to the south it extended to the chain of Mount Taurus, where it bordered on the...
. Zahn pointed out that Lycaonia
Lycaonia
In ancient geography, Lycaonia was a large region in the interior of Asia Minor, north of Mount Taurus. It was bounded on the east by Cappadocia, on the north by Galatia, on the west by Phrygia and Pisidia, while to the south it extended to the chain of Mount Taurus, where it bordered on the...
was not a separate province until after c. 370. Accordingly, most scholars put the time of composition no earlier than the fifth century. Another more recently observed problem is the two named proconsuls
Proconsul
A proconsul was a governor of a province in the Roman Republic appointed for one year by the senate. In modern usage, the title has been used for a person from one country ruling another country or bluntly interfering in another country's internal affairs.-Ancient Rome:In the Roman Republic, a...
of Asia, Maximus and Peregrinus. Barnes has demonstrated that both these individuals are fictitious. Thus, the trustworthiness of the Acts as a source for historical information is somewhat impaired. Nevertheless, the author does display local knowledge of the topography and culture of Ephesus
Ephesus
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era...
.
Content
The Acts tell how Paul had consecrated Timothy as bishop during NeroNero
Nero , was Roman Emperor from 54 to 68, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his great-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and succeeded to the throne in 54 following Claudius' death....
's reign on the occasion of a visit to Ephesus
Ephesus
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era...
which they made together. Then, under Nerva
Nerva
Nerva , was Roman Emperor from 96 to 98. Nerva became Emperor at the age of sixty-five, after a lifetime of imperial service under Nero and the rulers of the Flavian dynasty. Under Nero, he was a member of the imperial entourage and played a vital part in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy of 65...
, Timothy suffers a martyr's death during a pagan
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
festival. In this "devilish and abominable festival," as Photius calls it men with masks on their faces and with clubs in their hands went about "assaulting without restraint free men and respectable women, perpetrating murders of no common sort and shedding endless blood in the best parts of the city, as if they were performing a religious duty." Scholars have identified this festival, called katagogia (roughly, "the bringing down"), with the cult of Dionysus
Dionysus
Dionysus was the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy in Greek mythology. His name in Linear B tablets shows he was worshipped from c. 1500—1100 BC by Mycenean Greeks: other traces of Dionysian-type cult have been found in ancient Minoan Crete...
. As Klauck describes it, Timothy "attempts to put an end to the wild and violent goings-on but himself falls victim to the orgies."
In addition to the activities of Timothy, there is almost as much material about John the Evangelist
John the Evangelist
Saint John the Evangelist is the conventional name for the author of the Gospel of John...
, who was also a resident of Ephesus
Ephesus
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era...
. Usener explains this odd situation as being due perhaps to the material having come originally from an earlier history of the Ephesian church. The Acts also contain an interesting passage on the formation of the fourfold gospel.
Whereas Lipsius had seen this account as a dressing-up of what was in Eusebius
Eusebius of Caesarea
Eusebius of Caesarea also called Eusebius Pamphili, was a Roman historian, exegete and Christian polemicist. He became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine about the year 314. Together with Pamphilus, he was a scholar of the Biblical canon...
(hist. eccl. III 24, 7), Crehan views it as evidence for an earlier date for the Acts. He argues that Lipsius "does not attach due importance to the circumstantial account in the Acta of the papyri
Papyrus
Papyrus is a thick paper-like material produced from the pith of the papyrus plant, Cyperus papyrus, a wetland sedge that was once abundant in the Nile Delta of Egypt....
and of their titling by John, an account which it would have been difficult for a forger in the days of the big vellum
Vellum
Vellum is mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on, to produce single pages, scrolls, codices or books. It is generally smooth and durable, although there are great variations depending on preparation, the quality of the skin and the type of animal used...
codices
Codex
A codex is a book in the format used for modern books, with multiple quires or gatherings typically bound together and given a cover.Developed by the Romans from wooden writing tablets, its gradual replacement...
(after 320) to make up for himself."
Primary Sources
- Henry, R., ed. (1959-1991). Photius, Bibliothèque, 9 vols. Paris: Les Belles lettres. [2nd printing 2003] (Greek with French trans.).
- Migne, J.-P.Jacques Paul MigneJacques Paul Migne was a French priest who published inexpensive and widely-distributed editions of theological works, encyclopedias and the texts of the Church Fathers, with the goal of providing a universal library for the Catholic priesthood.He was born at Saint-Flour, Cantal and studied...
, ed. (1891). Patrologiae cursus completus. Series Graeca, 5:1363-66. Paris: apud fratres Garnier editores. (Latin) - Usener, H., ed. (1877). Acta S. Timothei Bonn: typis Caroli Georgi vniv. typogr. (Greek and Latin).
Secondary Sources
- Barnes, T. D.Timothy BarnesTimothy David Barnes is a British classicist.Timothy David Barnes was born in Yorkshire in 1942. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield until 1960, going up to Balliol College, Oxford, where he read Literae Humaniores, taking his BA in 1964 and MA in 1967...
(2010). Early Christian Hagiography and Roman History, 300-303. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck. - BollandistsBollandistThe Bollandists are an association of scholars, philologists, and historians who since the early seventeenth century have studied hagiography and the cult of the saints in Christianity. Their most important publication has been the Acta Sanctorum...
(1901). Bibliotheca hagiographica latina antiquae et mediae aetatis, vol. 2, p. 1200. Subsidia Hagiographica 6. Bruxelles: Société des Bollandistes. - Crehan, J. H. (1959). "The Fourfold Character of the Gospel," in Kurt Aland, F. L. Cross, et al., eds., Studia Evangelica 1 (= Texte und Untersuchungen 73), pp. 3-13. Berlin: Akademie Verlag.
- Delehaye, H.Hippolyte DelehayeHippolyte Delehaye was a Belgian Jesuit who was a hagiographic scholar and an outstanding member of the Bollandists, who established critical editions of texts relating to the Christian saints and martyrs that were based on applying the critical method of sound archaeological and documentary...
(1939). "Les actes de Saint Timothée," in W. M. Calder and J. Keil, eds., Anatolian Studies Presented to William Hepburn Buckler, 77-84 Manchester: Manchester University Press. - Keil, J.Josef KeilJosef Keil was an Austrian historian, epigrapher and an archaeologist.Keil was born in Reichenberg, now Liberec in northern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. He began his career in 1904 as a scientific secretary at the Österreichischen Archäologischen Instituts in Smyrna, now İzmir, Turkey. He...
(1935). "Zum Martyrium des heiligen Timotheus in Ephesos." Jahreshefte des Österreichischen Archäologischen Institutes 29: 82-92. - Klauck, H.-J.Hans-Josef KlauckHans-Josef Klauck is the Naomi Shenstone Donnelley Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature in the University of Chicago Divinity School...
(2008). The Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: An Introduction, 248-49. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press. ISBN 1602581592 - Lawson, J. C. (1910). Modern Greek Folklore and Ancient Greek Religion: A Study in Survivals, 222. Cambridge: University Press.
- Lipsius, R. A.Richard Adelbert LipsiusRichard Adelbert Lipsius was a distinguished German theologian.Lipsius was a professor in succession at Vienna, Kiel, and Jena. He wrote on dogmatics, the philosophy of religion, and New Testament criticism, particularly the apocryphal acts of various apostles in his Apocrypha, Acts and Legends of...
(1884). Die Apokryphen Apostelgeschichten und Apostellegenden, 2/2: 372-400. Braunschweig: C. A. Schwetschke und Sohn. - Schürer, E.Emil SchürerEmil Schürer was a German Protestant theologian.-Biography:Schürer was born at Augsburg.After studying at Erlangen, Berlin and Heidelberg from 1862 to 1866, he became in 1873 professor extraordinarius at Leipzig and eventually professor ordinarius at Göttingen...
(1877). Review of Usener 1877, Theologische Literaturzeitung 2:363-64. - Strelan, R. (1996). Paul, Artemis, and the Jews in Ephesus, 122-24. Berlin: W. de Gruyter.
- Usener, H. (1914). "Beiträge der Geschichte der Legendenliteratur," in Kleine Schriften, 3:83-89. Leipzig: B. G. Teubner.
- Zahn, T.Theodor ZahnTheodor Zahn or Theodor von Zahn was a biblical scholar born in Rhineland, Prussia . He was professor of Theology at Erlangen, and distinguished for his eminent scholarship in connection with the matter especially of the New Testament canon. He stood at the head of the conservative New Testament...
(1878). Review of Usener 1877, Göttingischen gelehrte Anzeigen, 97-114. - Zahn, T.Theodor ZahnTheodor Zahn or Theodor von Zahn was a biblical scholar born in Rhineland, Prussia . He was professor of Theology at Erlangen, and distinguished for his eminent scholarship in connection with the matter especially of the New Testament canon. He stood at the head of the conservative New Testament...
(1909). Introduction to the New Testament, vol. 2, p. 41. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.