Timothy Joins Paul and Silas; Acts 16:1 – 5 – Part 1

Church History: Date: A.D. 49-52
1He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Paul was a spiritual father, and as such, we see him here adopting Timothy and taking care of the education of many others who had been brought to Christ by his ministry: and in all he appears to have been a wise and caring father.

One thing we can obtain from the book of the Acts is help in understanding Paul's epistles, two of which are directed to Timothy. It is therefore necessary that in this history of Paul, we should have some account concerning Timothy. And here we are told:

1. That he was a disciple; one that belonged to Christ, was baptized, probably in his infancy, when his mother became a believer. Lydia's household was baptized upon her believing, (Acts 16:15). Paul took him under his wing and trained him in the knowledge and faith of Christ.

2. His mother was a Jewess originally, but believed in Christ. Her name was Eunice, his grandmother's name was Lois. Paul speaks of them both with great respect, as women of eminent virtue and piety, and commends them especially for their unfeigned faith (2Timothy 1:5), their sincerely embracing and adhering to the doctrine of Christ.

3. His father was a Greek, a Gentile. The marriage of a Jewish woman to a Gentile husband (though some would make a difference) was prohibited as much as the marriage of a Jewish man to a Gentile wife, (Deuteronomy 7:3). His mother could not have him circumcised in his infancy, because his father was not a believer. Yet she educated him in the fear of God.

4. Timothy had gained a very good character among the Christians. He was well regarded among the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. He not only had an unblemished reputation, and was free from scandal, but he had a bright reputation, and great tributes were given about him, as an extraordinary young man, and one from whom great things were expected. Not only those in the place where he was born, but those in the neighboring cities, admired him, and spoke honorably of him.

5. Paul wanted him to go with him, to accompany him, to assist him, to receive instruction from him, and to join with him in the work of the gospel. He wanted him to preach for him when needed, and to be left behind in places where he had planted churches. Paul had a great love for him, not only because he was an ingenious young man, and one of great ambition, but because he was a serious young man, and one of devout affections: for Paul was always mindful of his tears, (2Timothy 1:4).

6. Paul circumcised him, or ordered it to be done. This was strange. Had not Paul opposed those with all his might that were for imposing circumcision upon the Gentile converts? Had he not at this time the decrees of the council at Jerusalem with him, which witnessed against it? He had, and yet circumcised Timothy, not, as those teachers designed in imposing circumcision, to oblige him to keep the ceremonial law, but only to render his conversation and ministry passable, that he might be accepted by the Jews that resided in this area. He knew Timothy was a man likely to do a great deal of good among them, being admirably qualified for the ministry; but the Jews would not listen to him if he were, and therefore Paul did this to humor them. It is probable that it was at this time that Paul laid his hands on Timothy, for the conferring of the gift of the Holy Spirit upon him, (2Timothy 1:6).