Acts 16:1–5

Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. ² He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. ³ Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. ⁴ And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. 

Commentary 

Vs. 1 “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.” 

The Apostle Paul now returns to Derbe and Lystra cities of Lycaonia where he and Barnabas first preached the Gospel, made disciples and established churches, reaching both Jews and Gentiles there. Now it was at Lystra Paul had also survived a violent stoning attempt on his life. And so, it was while revisiting the brethren they’re that Paul was introduced to certain disciple named Timothy, whose mother was Jewish and had believed, however his father was Greek. 

Vs. 2 “He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.” 

Now with Timothy being well spoken of by all the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Timothy himself must have already been involved in the churches own outreach and support work in that region. 

Vs. 3 “Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.” 

And so, in Timothy the Apostle Paul sees what he did not see with John Mark, a person called by God to serve with them, who would also faithfully follow with them (1 Tim. 1:18). Therefore, Paul wanting to take Timothy with him, and knowing that the unbelieving Jews would use Timothy’s being Jewish, but being uncircumcised against Timothy, now circumcises Timothy for his own sake (Gal. 2:3). For can you imagine what they would have done if Paul brought Timothy into a Synagogue, or the Temple in Jerusalem, being uncircumcised (consider Acts 21:27-36). 

Vs. 4-5 ⁴ And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. 

With Timothy now traveling with the Apostle Paul and Silas who was himself a prophet. They return to all the places which Paul and Barnabas first preached and established churches, delivering to them the decrees which were determined by the Apostles and elders at Jerusalem for us all to keep (vs. 4). And so, it was that the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily (vs. 5) when they read that they were not bound to circumcision and the keeping the Law through Moses. For Gospel of the grace of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the most compelling message this world has ever heard. 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.