Act 16:1-3 | Barnes | STEP | CHAPTER 16 Verse 1. Then came he . That is, Paul, in company with Silas. Luke does not give us the history of Barnabas, but confines his narrative to the journey of Paul. To Derbe and Lystra . ". And behold a certain disciple--named Timotheus . It was to this disciple that Paul afterwards addressed the two epistles which bear his name. It is evident that he was a native of one of these places, but whether of Derbe or Lystra it is impossible to determine. The son of a certain woman , etc. Her name was Eunice, . And believed . And was a Christian. It is evident also that her mother was a woman of distinguished Christian piety, . It was not lawful for a Jew to marry a woman of another nation, or to give his daughter in marriage to a Gentile, . But it is probable that this law was not regarded very strictly by the Jews who lived in the midst of heathen nations. It is evident that Timothy, at this time, was very young; for when Paul besought him to abide at Ephesus, to take charge of the church there, , he addressed him then as a young man: , "Let no man despise thy youth." But his father was a Greek . Evidently a man who had not been circumcised--for had he been, Timothy would have been also. (c) "Derbe and Lystra" (d) "Timotheus" (e) "certain woman" (*) "Greek" "A Gentile"

Acts 16:1-3

CHAPTER 16

Verse 1. Then came he. That is, Paul, in company with Silas. Luke does not give us the history of Barnabas, but confines his narrative to the journey of Paul.

To Derbe and Lystra. Acts 14:6".

And behold a certain disciple--named Timotheus. It was to this disciple that Paul afterwards addressed the two epistles which bear his name. It is evident that he was a native of one of these places, but whether of Derbe or Lystra it is impossible to determine.

The son of a certain woman, etc. Her name was Eunice, 2Ti 1:5.

And believed. And was a Christian. It is evident also that her mother was a woman of distinguished Christian piety, 2Ti 1:5. It was not lawful for a Jew to marry a woman of another nation, or to give his daughter in marriage to a Gentile, Ezr 9:12. But it is probable that this law was not regarded very strictly by the Jews who lived in the midst of heathen nations. It is evident that Timothy, at this time, was very young; for when Paul besought him to abide at Ephesus, to take charge of the church there, 1Timm 1:3, he addressed him then as a young man: 1Timm 4:12, "Let no man despise thy youth."

But his father was a Greek. Evidently a man who had not been circumcised--for had he been, Timothy would have been also.

(c) "Derbe and Lystra" Acts 14:6 (d) "Timotheus" Acts 19:22 (e) "certain woman" Acts 14:5 (*) "Greek" "A Gentile" Verse 2. Which. That is, Timothy. The connexion requires us to understand this of him. Of the character of his father nothing is known.

Was well reported of. Was esteemed highly as a young man of piety and promise. Acts 6:3; comp. 1Timm 5:10. Timothy had been religiously educated. He was carefully trained in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and was therefore the better qualified for his work, 2Ti 3:15.

(f) "well reported" Acts 6:3 Verse 3. Him would Paul have, etc. This was an instance of Paul's selecting young men of piety for the holy ministry. It shows,

(1.) that he was disposed to look up and call forth the talent that might be in the church, that might be usefully employed. It is quite evident that Timothy would not have thought of this, had it not been suggested by Paul. The same thing education societies are attempting now to accomplish.

(2.) That Paul sought proper qualifications, and valued them. Those were, (a.) that he had a good reputation for piety, etc., Acts 16:2

This he demanded as an indispensable qualification for a minister of

the gospel. 1Timm 3:7. "Moreover he (a bishop) must have a good

report of them which are without." Comp. Acts 22:12.

(b) Paul esteemed him to be a young man of talents and prudence.

His admitting him to a partnership in his labours, and his

entrusting to him the affairs of the church at Ephesus, prove this.

foundation was thus laid for usefulness. And this qualification

seems to have been deemed by Paul of indispensable value for

the right discharge of his duties in this holy office.

And he took and circumcised him. This was evidently done to avoid the opposition and reproaches of the Jews. It was a measure not binding in itself, (comp. Acts 15:1,28,29) but the neglect of which would expose to contention and opposition among the Jews, and greatly retard or destroy his usefulness. It was an act of expediency for the sake of peace, and was in accordance with Paul's uniform and avowed principle of conduct. 1Cor 9:20, "And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews." Comp. Acts 21:23-26.

(g) "circumcised him, because" Gal 2:3-8, 5:1-3 (h) "Jews which were" 1Cor 9:20