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Acts 16:1–5
“Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium” (vv. 1–2).
Separating from Barnabas, the Apostle Paul partnered with Silas to visit the congregations that he had evangelized during his first missionary journey (Acts 15:36–40). Paul and Silas then “went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches” (v. 41).
In today’s passage, we read that Paul and Silas next came “to Derbe and to Lystra,” two cities in southeastern Galatia (in modern-day Turkey) where Paul and Barnabas had ministered. During that earlier trip, they had fled to Derbe and Lystra from Iconium, a nearby city where Jews and gentiles had attempted to kill them, and in Lystra some crowds had actually stoned Paul to the point that he was dragged from the city as if dead (14:1–23). Upon their return to Lystra and Derbe, they found Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who had become a Christian and of a Greek (gentile) father. Timothy was also a believer, likely having been converted along with his mother when Paul and Barnabas had ministered in the city (16:1–2). Though a young man, Timothy was already well respected by the Christians in the area. Evidently, he was setting an example for other believers in his speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity years before Paul encouraged him by letter to do so (see 1 Tim. 4:12).
Paul recruited Timothy to join him and Silas in their ministry, and we read in Acts 16:3 that the Apostle had him circumcised so that he could travel with them. This might seem strange at first given that on this journey Paul would be delivering the letter from the Jerusalem Council that said that circumcision could not be required of gentile Christians (see v. 4). Yet Paul’s practice makes sense in light of Luke’s comment that Paul circumcised Timothy precisely “because of the Jews who were in those places” (v. 3). The Jews would have considered Timothy to be Jewish even though only his mother was Jewish, and so they would have expected Timothy to be circumcised. If Timothy were to remain uncircumcised, the traveling band of missionaries would have been unable to minister to Jews in the synagogues. Gentiles should not be forced to be circumcised because that would convey that works of the law form part of the basis of salvation (15:1–29; Gal. 2–3). Yet circumcision was an existing tradition for Jews and did not have the same connotations when they practiced it. For the sake of ministry, Paul circumcised Timothy, knowing that to do so would not communicate that salvation is by works as well as faith.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
John Calvin comments, “Timothy was not circumcised, because it was necessary it should be so, or because the religion of that sign did continue as yet, but that Paul might avoid an offense.” Christians are called not to cause unnecessary offense. It takes wisdom to know how to adapt without contradicting the gospel, but some adaptation is usually required for ministering effectively. As we adapt, we must not compromise the truth.
For further study
- Genesis 17:1–14
- Acts 10:45
- 1 Corinthians 9:22
- Galatians 2:1–10
The bible in a year
- Psalms 2–3
- Acts 16:1–15