Act 16:1-3 | PNT | STEP | The Gospel Carried into Europe SUMMARY OF ACTS 16: Paul at Troas. The Call to Macedonia in a Vision. The Journey to Philippi. The Conversion of Lydia and Her Household. The Damsel with the Spirit of Divination Healed. The Rage of Her Masters. Paul and Silas Seized, Scourged, Placed in Prison in the Stocks. The Events at Midnight. The Jailer and Household Baptized. An Appeal to Rights of Romans. He came to Derbe and Lystra . Compare . Behold, a certain disciple was there . A member of the church at Lystra, converted on the previous missionary tour. Timotheus . Born of a Jewish mother, but of a Greek father. The name is Greek and means "one who fears God". Following his father, he was uncircumcised and, hence, regarded as a Greek instead of a Jew. Yet he had been taught the Scriptures from childhood ( ) by his pious mother and grandmother ( ). These, Eunice and Lois by name, were Christians also. Paul converted him ( ). Compare .

‏ Acts 16:1-3

The Gospel Carried into Europe SUMMARY OF ACTS 16: Paul at Troas. The Call to Macedonia in a Vision. The Journey to Philippi. The Conversion of Lydia and Her Household. The Damsel with the Spirit of Divination Healed. The Rage of Her Masters. Paul and Silas Seized, Scourged, Placed in Prison in the Stocks. The Events at Midnight. The Jailer and Household Baptized. An Appeal to Rights of Romans.

He came to Derbe and Lystra. Compare Ac 14:6-21.

Behold, a certain disciple was there. A member of the church at Lystra, converted on the previous missionary tour.

Timotheus. Born of a Jewish mother, but of a Greek father. The name is Greek and means "one who fears God". Following his father, he was uncircumcised and, hence, regarded as a Greek instead of a Jew. Yet he had been taught the Scriptures from childhood (2Ti 3:15) by his pious mother and grandmother (2Ti 1:5). These, Eunice and Lois by name, were Christians also. Paul converted him (1Co 4:17). Compare Ga 4:19. Well reported of. As an active, efficient Christian. He had evidently labored for Christ in both places, and given such proofs as to show his fitness for the missionary work. Go forth with him. As a traveling companion.

And circumcised him. Not because he thought it necessary to salvation, but "because of the Jews". Wherever Paul traveled, he first labored in the Jewish synagogues. If one of his traveling companions was a Gentile, it would arouse Jewish prejudice so as to close their ears. Hence, since "neither circumcision nor uncircumcision was anything" (1Co 7:19), he complied with the principle that he states in 1Co 9:19,20. In Ga 2:3 it is stated that when Titus, a Greek, went up to Jerusalem, he was not compelled to be circumcised. Had he been, it would have been a concession to the Judaizing Christians who insisted that circumcision was necessary to salvation. Here the case was different. No Judaizing party made such a demand, and the act was one of pure expediency, in order to reach more unconverted Jews. These examples teach us to accommodate ourselves to the prejudices of others as far as we can without the sacrifice of principle. From other passages (1Ti 4:14 2Ti 1:6), we learn that, at this time probably, Timothy was ordained by the elders, and received special gifts by the imposition of the hands of the apostle.