Acts 16:1-3

AT DERBE. Acts 16:1 a.

1a

And he came also to Derbe,

4.

IN LYSTRA. Acts 16:1 b - Acts 16:3.

1b

and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek.

2

The same was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

3

Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Acts 16:1 It is here that Luke records a personal word of God's servant, Timothy. Timothy is the one worker of the many with whom Paul associated whom he personally complimented and commended. (Cf. Philippians 2:19-22). Perhaps we should say that only in the case of Timothy did the Holy Spirit see fit to record Paul's commendation. As we look at the life and high standards that were set for this evangelist, we can say with Paul, there is none like him.

Acts 16:2-3 What a lesson can here be learned. Since Paul has been in Lystra and Derbe, ever since Timothy had gone under the waters of baptism he had been laboring in the kingdom of God. Timothy was not looking to becoming a companion and co-laborer with the apostle; he was only interested in serving God where he found opportunity. But when Paul saw him thus laboring and heard from the brethren how he served the Lord, him would Paul have to go forth with him.

Before we say anything further on these verses in Chapter sixteen, please remember that Paul had just a few brief days before finished a heated discussion with Peter over the matter of circumcision, and but a few days before this he had returned from a council on the subject in Jerusalem,
Lo, the hand of the apostle is found in the act of circumcision. The apostle Paul circumcised Timothy. How can it be? Had he not withstood Peter to the face on the division of the Jews and the Gentiles? Was not this rite he was now performing the expression of such division? How can it be that Paul would do such a thing? Such exclamations might be expected from some; but not from those who read the text carefully, nor from those who have perused the epistles of Paul:

To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law (1 Corinthians 9:20-21).

Here indeed we have an application of the principle set forth. And so it is with our Heavenly Father. Only when we feel and know that He has identified Himself with our sufferings, sorrows, temptation can we love Him as we do. When we realize that He understands because He in the person of His Son was tempted in all points like as we are, was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief can we go to Him and feel that our souls are in competent hands. So with you and with me, dear friend, we must become as a Jew, enter into the burden of the soul, into the sorrow of that heart, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Then we will know what Paul meant when he said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

540.

What churches were visited in the journey through Syria and Cilicia?

541.

Lystra was the home town of which Christian worker?

542.

What is different in the words of Paul regarding Timothy, than in those regarding other workers?

543.

What lesson can we learn from Timothy in Lystra?

544.

Why wasn-'t it inconsistent for Paul to circumcise Timothy? What lesson can we gain?