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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_16:1-5
1Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. 3Paul 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. 4Now 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. 5So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily
Act_16:1 "Derbe and to Lystra" These cities are located in the southern part of the Roman Province of Galatia (modern Turkey). Paul visited this area on his first missionary journey (cf. Act_16:14).
▣ "And a disciple was there" Luke uses the term idou to introduce this phrase. It was a way of showing emphasis. Timothy will become a major participant in Paul's ministry.
▣ "the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek" From 2Ti_1:5 we learn that his grandmother was also a Jewish believer or a faith-oriented Jew. His grandmother was named Lois and his mother was named Eunice. His mother, and possibly grandmother, became believers on Paul's first mission.
Act_16:2 "he was well spoken of" This is an imperfect passive indicative. People spoke well of Timothy again and again. One of the qualifications for a church leader was "no handle for criticism," within both the believing and unbelieving communities (cf. 1Ti_3:2; 1Ti_3:7; 1Ti_3:10).
▣ "in Lystra" Timothy's hometown was Lystra. However, some Greek manuscripts of Act_20:4 (and Origen's writings) imply that Derbe was his hometown.
Act_16:3 "Paul wanted this man to go with him" Notice that Paul calls Timothy. This was not Timothy's choice alone (cf. 1Ti_3:1). In a sense Timothy becomes Paul's apostolic delegate or representative.
▣ "had circumcised him" Paul wanted him to be able to work with Jews (cf. 1Co_9:20; Act_15:27-29). This was not a compromise with the Judaizers because
1. of the results of the Jerusalem Council (cf. Act_16:15)
2. he refused to circumcise Titus (cf. Gal_2:3)
However, Paul's actions surely confused the issue! Paul's methodology of becoming all things to all men in order to win some (cf. 1Co_9:19-23) makes people and their salvation priority!
▣ "father was a Greek" The imperfect tense implies that he was dead.
Act_16:4 Paul and Silas reported (i.e., imperfect active indicative) on the results of the Jerusalem Council (cf Act_15:22-29). Remember these "essentials" were for two purposes:
1. fellowship within the churches
2. Jewish evangelism (as was Timothy's circumcision)
Act_16:5 This is another of Luke's summary statements (cf. Act_6:7; Act_9:31; Act_12:24; Act_16:5; Act_19:20; Act_28:31). Paul had a heart for discipling (cf. Act_14:22; Act_15:36; Act_15:5). Evangelism without discipleship violates the Great Commission (cf. Mat_28:18-20) and results in "spiritual abortions"!
▣ "churches" See Special Topic at Act_5:11.