‏ Acts 16:1

Introduction

Paul, coming to Derbe and Lystra, meets with Timothy, the son of a Jewess by a Greek father, whom he circumcises and takes with him into his work, Act 16:1-3. As they pass through the different cities, they deliver the apostles' decrees to the Churches; and they are established in the faith, and daily increase in numbers, Act 16:4, Act 16:5. They travel through Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia, and to Troas, Act 16:6-8. Where Paul has a vision, relative to his preaching in Macedonia, Act 16:9, Act 16:10. Leaving Troas, he sails to Samothracia and Neapolis, and comes to Philippi in Macedonia, Act 16:11, Act 16:12. Lydia, a seller of purple, receives the apostles teaching; and she and her family are baptized, Act 16:13-16. A young woman, with a spirit of divination, dispossessed by St. Paul, Act 16:16-18. Her masters, finding their gain by her soothsaying gone, make an attack upon Paul and Silas, drag them before the magistrates, who command them to be beaten, thrust into the closest prison, and their feet made fast in the stocks, Act 16:19-24. Paul and Silas singing praises at midnight, the prison doors are miraculously opened, and all the bonds of the prisoners loosed, Act 16:25, Act 16:26. The keeper being alarmed, supposing that the prisoners were fled, is about to kill himself, but is prevented by Paul, Act 16:27-28. He inquires the way of salvation, believes, and he and his whole family are baptized, Act 16:29-34. The next morning the magistrates order the apostles to be dismissed, Act 16:35, Act 16:36. Paul pleads his privilege as a Roman, and accuses the magistrates of injustice, who, being alarmed, come themselves to the prison, deliver them, and beg them to depart from the city, Act 16:37-39. They leave the prison, enter into the house of Lydia, comfort the brethren, and depart, Act 16:40.

Verse 1

A certain disciple - Bishop Pearce would read the latter part of this verse and the beginning of the next thus - A certain disciple named Timotheus, (the son of a certain Jewish woman that believed, but of a father who was a Greek), who was well reported of by the brethren, etc.

This Timothy was the same person to whom St. Paul wrote those two noble epistles which are still extant. His mother's name was Eunice, as we learn from 2Tim 1:5. What his father's name was we know not; he was either a mere heathen, or, at most, only a proselyte of the gate, who never submitted to circumcision: had he submitted to this rite, he would, no doubt, have circumcised his son; but the son being without it is a proof that the father was so too. Some MSS. state that Timothy's mother was now a widow; but this does not appear to be well founded.
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