chapter sixteen

16:1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, {de, (cc)--katanta,w (viaa--3s) to reach or come to, to arrive at--kai, (ab)--eivj (pa)--De,rbh (n-af-s)--kai, (cc)--eivj (pa)--Lu,stra (n-af-s)--kai, (cc)--ivdou, (qs)--maqhth,j (n-nm-s)--ti.j (a-inm-s)--eivmi, (viia--3s)--evkei/ (ab)--o;noma (n-dn-s)--Timo,qeoj (n-nm-s)--ui`o,j (n-nm-s)--gunh, (n-gf-s)--VIoudai/oj (a--gf-s)-- pisto,j (a--gf-s)--de, (ch)--path,r (n-gm-s)--{Ellhn (n-gm-s)}

16:2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. {o[j (aprnm-s)-- marture,w (viip--3s)--u`po, (pa)--o` avdelfo,j (n-gm-p)--evn (pd)--Lu,stra (n-dn-p)--kai, (cc)--VIko,nion (n-dn-s)}

16:3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. {o` Pau/loj (n-nm-s)--qe,lw (viaa--3s)--ou-toj (apdam-s)--evxe,rcomai (vnaa)--su,n (pd)--auvto,j (npdm3s)--kai, (cc)--lamba,nw (vpaanm-s)--perite,mnw (viaa--3s)--auvto,j (npam3s)--dia, (pa) on account of--o` VIoudai/oj (ap-am-p)--o` (damp+) eivmi, (vppaam-p)--evn (pd)--o` to,poj (n-dm-p) a place, a specific region or area-- evkei/noj (a-ddm-p)--ga,r (cs)--a[paj (ap-nm-p) expresses totality, everyone--oi=da (vila--3p)--o[ti (cc) indir. disc.--o` path,r (n-nm-s)--auvto,j (npgm3s)--u`pa,rcw (viia--3s) not present tense, suggests that maybe his father was not alive--{Ellhn (n-nm-s)}

Exposition vs. 1-3

1.  From the regions of Syria and Cilicia, Paul crossed the mountainous region, probably through the pass known as the Cilician Gates, to the area of his first campaign in southern Galatia.

2.  Paul and Silas arrived in the region of Lystra and Derbe in the summer of 51 AD, having visited there in the summer of 49 AD with Barnabas. Acts 14:6

3.  The names are reversed in this account because he likely visited them in the reverse order as he had previously.

4.  These cities would have been the recipients of the letter to the Galatian region about a year and a half earlier.

5.  Since Luke does not mention any conflict, we can only hope that the letter to that region had its desired effect, causing these new churches to reconsider their legalism and reject the Judaizers.

6.  The purpose of teaching doctrine, and using severity when justified, is to get the attention of believers and cause them to orient their thinking to the truth, especially in areas where they are maladjusted.

7.  Severity is one of the tools given to the adjusted pastor-teacher to facilitate doctrinal orientation among those who are positive. IICor. 10:8-11, 13:10

8.  Those men in the ministry who only employ a sweetness and light approach, afraid of confronting difficult issues among the flock, will not successfully accomplish the objective of bringing believers to spiritual maturity.

9.  Like children, some believers are recalcitrant, refusing to corral their old sin nature, while others are types with whom you can reason, apart from severity.

10.  The wise pastor-teacher must consider the issue; the sheep involved, and tailor his teaching and exhortations to the need.

11.  In Lystra, Paul found a young man who was well respected by the believers that lived in that region.

12.  Timothy was likely a convert from the first journey in this region.

13.  His mother was Jewish and his father was a Greek.

14.  His mother’s name was Eunice, his grandmother’s name was Lois, and both had become believers. IITim. 1:5

15.  Timothy had been thoroughly instructed in the Hebrew scriptures, although he was not raised a strict Jew as evidenced by the fact he had not been circumcised.

16.  In Jewish law, the child was generally raised in the religion of his mother, while under Greek law the father dominates in the home.

17.  Timothy had a fine reputation among the believers in that region, Luke linking Lystra with Iconium since they were closer together.

18.  Although he was likely around 18 years old, Timothy had already established himself as a believer of some stature, indicating that he was quite committed to the doctrine.

19.  The imperfect verb marturew (martureo—to witness or testify) indicates that a continuous witness was offered by those believers who lived there and dealt with him on a regular basis.

20.  Paul determined rather quickly that he wanted to take Timothy along with them on their journey, demonstrating that he recognized something quite valuable about this young man.

21.  Most interpreters accept the text up to this point; however, they question what is said about Paul circumcising Timothy, attributing verses 3 and 4 to the hand of a redactor.

22.  It is apparent that Paul did not believe that believers had to be circumcised after salvation, refusing to circumcise Titus and withstanding the Judaizers in Antioch and Jerusalem. Gal. 2:1,3

23.  Some have rejected this account as factual, stating that Paul would never have Timothy circumcised in light of what is recorded earlier in Acts.

24.  Timothy’s father, whom most perceive to be dead by this time based on the use of the imperfect at the end of verse 3, was apparently a man of some prominence.

25.  This meant that all the Jews in the area were aware of the fact that Timothy had not been circumcised, although he appears to have been raised in the Hebrew faith.

26.  The Jews would then have considered him a Gentile, although the Greeks would have considered him a Jew since he was raised in his mother’s faith.

27.  Jews were not supposed to marry Gentiles but if they did the children were regarded as Jewish and were supposed to be circumcised.

28.  Since Timothy was a product of a mixed marriage, this had not taken place.

29.  Paul knew that Timothy was going to be involved in a ministry that would expose him to many unbelieving Jews, and so he circumcises him to remove the only stigma that he faced.

30.  Paul steadfastly resisted any attempt to impose circumcision on Gentile converts as a Ph1 or Ph2 means of spirituality.

31.  He himself continued to live as an observant Jew and urged his converts to express their Christianity in the cultural forms in which they were converted. ICor. 7:17-24

32.  Since Timothy’s mother was Jewish, he would only be considered Jewish in the eyes of the Jewish world if he had complied with circumcision.

33.  Therefore, it was right and expedient for Paul to have him circumcised, not to appease believing Jews, but to remove any obstacle from unbelieving Jews.

34.  He did not circumcise Timothy for any reason of spiritual advance or acceptance, he merely did it eliminate any unnecessary problems that Timothy would otherwise have faced in gaining an audience among the Jews.

35.  If he was not circumcised, he would continually give offense to the Jews and provide no advantage to the cause of Gentile freedom, so Paul voluntarily removes this stumbling block.

16:4 Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees, which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. {de, (cc)--w`j (cs)--diaporeu,omai (viin--3p) 5X, to travel or pass through--h` po,lij (n-af-p)--paradi,dwmi (viia--3p) to deliver, to hand over--auvto,j (npdm3p)--to. do,gma (n-an-p) 5X, a fixed decision, a decree, an authoritative pronouncement, cf Lk. 2:1--to. kri,nw (vprpan-p) to determine or decide, to judge a matter--u`po, (pg)--o` avpo,stoloj (n-gm-p)--kai, (cc)--presbu,teroj (ap-gm-p)--o` (dgmp) the ones--evn (pd)--~Ieroso,luma (n-dn-p)--fula,ssw (vnpa) to guard or watch over, of laws or commands, to keep, purpose infin.}

16:5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. {me,n (qs)--ou=n (ch) this is Luke's favorite string for summarizing or resuming the narrative, uses it 27X in Acts--h` evkklhsi,a (n-nf-p)--stereo,w (viip--3p) 3X, only in Acts, 2X of physical strength, 3:7,16--h` pi,stij (n-df-s) made stronger in doctrine, more clearly understanding the truth and how to apply it--. kai, (cc)--perisseu,w (viia--3p) to have an abundance--o` avriqmo,j (n-dm-s) number or quantity, similar to what we saw in Acts 6:7--kata, (pa)--h`me,ra (n-af-s) according to a day, every day}

Exposition vs. 4-5

1.  As Paul, Silas, and now Timothy, continue to travel through the Galatian region, they delivered a copy of the decision the Jerusalem council had reached to each of the churches they visited.

2.  Silas’ presence would only serve to add a note of authority and dignity to the decrees since he had been commissioned by the Jerusalem church for this purpose.

3.  While the Jerusalem council had addressed their response to the believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia, the churches in Galatia, founded by the church in Antioch, were rightly informed.

4.  The Greek of verse 4 makes it quite plain that these decisions were binding and permanent, not some temporary compromise.

5.  These copies served to confirm what Paul had written to these churches some two years earlier.

6.  Since there is no record of any conflict or dissension, it appears that the Galatian churches had recovered from the legalism that had been foisted on them by the Judaizers.

7.  Verse 5 constitutes another of the summaries that Luke has provided to inform us as to the progress of the gospel.

8.  The churches, having recovered from the attacks of the Judaizers, embracing the doctrine taught by their right apostle, were growing in the truth.

9.  The decisions handed down by the Jerusalem council are viewed as binding on these distant, Gentile churches.

10.  They taught what Paul taught; Gentiles were not to flaunt their freedom in Christ to the detriment of unbelieving Jews, providing an excuse for Jewish negative volition.

11.  The law of love dictates that we make whatever concessions necessary, without compromise of doctrine, to place the spiritual best interests of others first.

12.  As positive volition among the Gentiles continued to increase many came to believe in Christ, increasing the numbers in the existing churches.

16:6 And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; {de, (cc)--die,rcomai (viaa--3p)--h` Frugi,a (n-af-s)--kai, (cc)--Galatiko,j (a--af-s)--cw,ra (n-af-s)--kwlu,w (vpapnm-p) to hinder or prevent, to keep someone from doing something, to deny or withhold permission--u`po, (pg)--to, a[gioj (a--gn-s)--pneu/ma (n-gn-s)--lale,w (vnaa) comp. infin.--o` lo,goj (n-am-s)--evn (pd)--h` VAsi,a (n-df-s)}

16:7 and when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; {de, (cc)--e;rcomai (vpaanm-p)--kata, (pa)--h` Musi,a (n-af-s)--peira,zw (viia--3p) to make an attempt, followed by infin. of what is attempted--poreu,omai (vnao)--eivj (pa)--h` Biquni,a (n-af-s)--kai, (ch)--to. pneu/ma (n-nn-s)--VIhsou/j (n-gm-s) ouv (qn)--eva,w (viaa--3s) 11X, to allow or permit someone to do something--auvto,j (npam3p)}

16:8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. {de, (cc)--pare,rcomai (vpaanm-p) to go or pass by--h` Musi,a (n-af-s)--katabai,nw (viaa--3p)--eivj (pa)--Trw|a,j (n-af-s)}

16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a certain man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." {kai, (cc)--o[rama (n-nn-s) 12X, a vision, that which is seen--o`ra,w (viap--3s) lit. was seen--o` Pau/loj (n-dm-s)--dia, (pg)--nu,x (n-gf-s) by night or during the night--ti.j (a-inm-s)--avnh,r (n-nm-s)--Makedw,n (n-nm-s)--eivmi, (viia--3s+)--i[sthmi (+vpranm-s) periphrastic--kai, (cc)--parakale,w (+vppanm-s) exhorting or encouraging-- auvto,j (npam3s)--kai, (cc)--le,gw (+vppanm-s)--diabai,nw (vraanm2s) 3X, only in Lk, Acts, Heb., to pass through, to cross over, imperative force--eivj (pa)--Makedoni,a (n-af-s)--bohqe,w (vmaa--2s) to come to the aid of one wanting help, to help, aid or rescue--evgw, (npd-1p)}

16:10 And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. {de, (ch)--w`j (cs)--ei=don (viaa--3s)--to. o[rama (n-an-s)--euvqe,wj (ab) right away, immediately--zhte,w (viaa--1p) note the use of the 1 person plural, indicates that Luke was now present--evxe,rcomai (vnaa) comp. infin.--eivj (pa)--Makedoni,a (n-af-s)--sumbiba,zw (vppanm1p) 7X, to bring together, to unite, to combine, to come to a solution or a decision, implying a process of putting together different aspects of related information, to conclude, to decide, to infer--o[ti (cc) indir. disc.o` qeo,j (n-nm-s)--proskale,omai (virn--3s) to call alongside, to summon--evgw, (npa-1p)--`euvaggeli,zw (vnam) purpose infin.--auvto,j (npam3p)}

Exposition vs. 6-10

  1. Phrygia was an irregular and ill-defined district in Asia Minor.
  2. It was divided into two parts, the Greater Phrygia on the south, and the Lesser Phrygia on the west.
  3. It is the Greater Phrygia that is spoken of in the New Testament. The towns of Antioch in Pisidia (Ac 13:14) Colosse, Hierapolis, Iconium, and Laodicea were situated in it.
  4. The issue among interpreters is whether the Phrygian and Galatian region refers to two places or one, although the Greek of verse 6 indicates that one region is in view.
  5. It appears that Paul was intending to travel further west into the region of Asia and the large city of Ephesus may have been his intended destination.
  6. However, the group was forbidden by the Holy Spirit from moving west and so turned their eyes to the north.
  7. We are not told exactly how the Holy Spirit instructed the group, whether through some direct revelation or through a prophetic word through Silas the prophet.
  8. In any case, the Holy Spirit gave them ample warning so they could adjust their route appropriately.
  9. They moved toward the region of Mysia, a region in northwest Asia Minor that lacked precise boundaries because it never was an independent political entity.
  10. Mysia included the seaport of Troas and the site of ancient Troy, located some 10 miles inland.
  11. From the region of Mysia, Paul and company attempted to move eastward into the region of Bithynia but were once again restrained by Divine guidance.
  12. The use of the various terms from the Holy Spirit in verse 6, the Spirit of Jesus in verse 7, and God in verse 10 is an expression of the Trinitarian nature of God, God providing guidance through the Holy Spirit, who had been sent by Jesus. Jn. 16:7
  13. Having been guided to the northwest, the group arrived at the seaport of Troas, the verb indicating that they did not spend any time evangelizing in Mysia, but merely passed by or through the region.
  14. Troas became an important Greek port around 300 BC, and was named Alexandria Troas
  15. It was ruled for a time by the Seleucids following the breakup on Alexander's empire.
  16. It quickly became an independent city-state and was the pivotal port between the land masses of Europe and Asia Minor.
  17. Julius Caesar seriously considered making Troas the governmental center of the entire area, viewing it as the key area of the Aegean and Black Seas.
  18. It was in Troas that the series of prohibitions from the Holy Spirit was replaced with some positive guidance in the form of a vision that occurred during the night.
  19. Paul saw a Macedonian man standing and urging him to come to Macedonia and help the people there.
  20. We are not told how he knew the man was Macedonian, but it may have been as simple as the fact that he asked Paul to come to Macedonia.
  21. There was only one kind of help that Paul was interested in at this point and the group immediately concluded that this was a Divine command to move westward and preach the gospel in Macedonia.

22.  The notable feature of verse 11 is the use of the first person plural, beginning here and ending in Philippi. Acts 16:40