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Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

Acts 16:1-5

Paul arrived at Derbe and Lystra and, look you, there was a disciple there called Timothy. He was the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was Greek. The brethren in Lystra and Iconium were witnesses to his worth. Paul wished him to go out with him and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in these places, for they all knew that his father was Greek. As they made their way through the cities they handed over to them the decisions which had been arrived at by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, that they should observe them. The churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number every day.

It was five years since Paul had preached in Derbe and Lystra but when he returned his heart must have been gladdened for there had emerged a young man who was to be very dear to him. It was only natural that Paul should be looking for someone to take Mark's place. He was always well aware of the necessity of training a new generation for the work that lay ahead. He found just the kind of man he wanted in young Timothy. On the face of it, it is something of a problem that Paul circumcised Timothy for he had just won a battle in which circumcision had been declared unnecessary. The reason was that Timothy was a Jew and Paul had never said that circumcision was not necessary for Jews. It was the Gentiles who were freed from the ceremonies of the Jewish way of life.

In fact by accepting Timothy as a Jew, Paul showed just how emancipated he was from Jewish thought. Timothy was the son of a mixed marriage. The strict Jew would refuse to accept that as a marriage at all; in fact, if a Jewish girl married a Gentile boy or a Jewish boy married a Gentile girl, he would regard that Jewish boy or girl as dead. So much so, that sometimes a funeral was actually carried out. By accepting the child of such a marriage as a brother Jew, Paul showed how definitely he had broken down all national barriers.

Timothy was a lad with a great heritage. He had had a good mother and a good grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). Often in the days to come he was to be Paul's messenger (1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-6). He was at Rome with Paul when the apostle was in prison (Php_1:1; Php_2:19; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1). Timothy was in a very special relationship to Paul. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 4:17) he called him his beloved son. When he wrote to the Philippians he said that there was no one whose mind was so much at one with his own (Php_2:19-20). It seems very likely that Paul saw in Timothy his successor when he had to lay down his work. Happy indeed is the man to whom it is given to see the result of his training in one who can take up the burden when he lays it down.

THE GOSPEL COMES TO EUROPE (Acts 16:6-10)

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See also Acts 16:1-5 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    ACTS 16:1 The Western text (D itgig vgmss syrhmg Cassiodorus), continuing its expansion of the last verse of the preceding chapter, reads dielqw.n de. ta. e;qnh tau/ta kath,nthsen eivj De,rbhn kai. L...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    CHAPTER XVI. _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_, 1-3. _As they pass through the...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    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 - See the notes on Acts 14:6....

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 16 _ 1. In Derbe and Lystra again. Timotheus (Acts 16:1)._ 2. The Preaching forbidden in Asia (Acts 16:6). 3. The Vision of the Man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9). 4. The Gospel in Europe ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    ACTS 15:36 TO ACTS 16:5. SHORTER ACCOUNT OF PAUL'S JOURNEY IN ASIA MINOR. The editor's hand is apparent throughout this section. We know from Galatians 2:13 the real reason of Paul's difference with B...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    CAME... TO. arrived at. Greek. _katantao._ Occurs nine times in Acts, four times in Paul's epistles. Always accompanied by _eis,_ except Acts 20:15. NAMED. by name. TIMOTHEUS. From this time closely...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Acts 16:1. Paul revisits derbe and lystra, chooses Timothy for a companion in his mission, and circumcises him. They pass through Phrygia and Galatia, and come into Mysia and to Troas. By a vision Pau...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    Acts 16:1-12. PAUL REVISITS DERBE AND LYSTRA, CHOOSES TIMOTHY FOR A COMPANION IN HIS MISSION, AND CIRCUMCISES HIM. THEY PASS THROUGH PHRYGIA AND GALATIA, AND COME INTO MYSIA AND TO TROAS. BY A VISION...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    τινος omitted with אABCDE. Not represented in _Vulg_. 1. ΚΑΤΉΝΤΗΣΕΝ. The preposition in this verb seems to have little or no force. Cf. its use in 2Ma 4:21; 2Ma 4:44. ΕἸΣ ΔΈΡΒΗΝ ΚΑῚ … ΛΎΣΤΡΑΝ, _to De...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THE BEGINNING OF PAUL'S ACQUAINTANCE WITH TIMOTHY ACTS 16:1-5:_ When Paul traveled to Derbe and Lystra he met a disciple named Timotheus or Timothy. Later Paul wrote two New Testament books to this g...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΚΑΤΉΝΤΗΣΕΝ _aor. ind. act. от_ ΚΑΤΑΝΤΆΩ (G2658) нисходить, прибывать, ήν _impf. act. ind. от_ ΕΙΜΊ (G1510) быть, ΠΙΣΤΌΣ (G4103) праведный, верующий — во Христа (BAGD). Мать этого Тимофея была иудейко...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    A CERTAIN DISCIPLE—NAMED TIMOTHEUS— See the passages in the margin, and the preface to the first epistle to Timothy....

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    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 bel...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    XVI: 1, 2. Without giving the least detail of Paul's labors in Syria and Cilicia, Luke hurries us forward to his arrival in Derbe and Lystra, the scenes respectively of the most painful and the most c...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: THEN CAME HE...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    40 Silas was almost necessary as a companion for Paul. The decrees provided that they should be delivered by both Barnabas and Paul, while Judas and Silas were to confirm them by word of mouth. Now th...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ST. PAUL IN EUROPE 1. Timotheus] was probably of Lystra, not Derbe. His mother Eunice was perhaps a widow, and she, together with his grandmother Lois, educated the lad in the religion of Israel, tho...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE ACTS _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 16 TIMOTHY WORKS WITH PAUL AND SILAS, 16:1-5 V1 Paul went to Derbe and then he went to Lystra. A *Christian called Timothy lived there. Timothy...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    XVI. (1) A CERTAIN DISCIPLE WAS THERE, NAMED TIMOTHEUS. — We read with a special interest the first mention of the name of one who was afterwards so dear to the Apostle, his “true son in the faith” (1...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    κατήντησε : only in Luke and Paul, nine times in Acts, four times in Paul, Acts 18:19; Acts 18:24; Acts 20:15; Acts 21:7;...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    GUIDED TO NEW FIELDS Acts 16:1 Paul had a wonderful influence over young men. Timothy, Titus, and Mark bore his impress. When circumcision was insisted upon, as in the previous chapter, no one oppose...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Here begins the account of Pads second journey. At Lystra he found Timothy. His action in the circumcision of Timothy is startling in view of the recent decision of the council. Some charge him with i...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Timothy Joins Paul and Silas The stoning at Lystra might have discouraged some men from returning. However, Luke told Theophilus that Paul and Barnabas went back through the city as they were strengt...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Then (1) came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a (a) Jewess, and believed; but his father [was] a Greek: (1) P...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    TIMOTHY ENTERS THE MINISTRY 1-3. God gave Paul Timothy at Lystra, where they stoned him, a memorable fact, as Timothy was his favorite preacher throughout all his ministry, and, of course, God's great...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: (2) Which was well...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS We are here first brought acquainted with Timothy. Paul hath a Vision to call him to Philippi. The Lord opens the Heart of Lydia. Paul and Silas are imprisoned. The Jailor is converted, Paul...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We now enter on the missionary journeys, as they are called, of the apostle Paul. The work, under the Spirit, opens to the glory of the Lord. Not merely are Gentiles met in grace and brought into the...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _THE CALL OF TIMOTHY_ ‘Then came he to Derbe and Lystra; and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus … Him would Paul have to go forth with him.’ Acts 16:1 We now enter upon what is c...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    − 1.Luke doth now begin to declare what were the proceedings of Paul after that Barnabas and he were separate. And first he showeth, that he took to his company at Lystra Timothy to be his companion....

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    There is perhaps no example of this more remarkable than that which Paul does with regard to Timothy. He uses circumcision in all liberty to set aside Jewish prejudice. It is very doubtful whether, ac...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    THEN CAME HE TO DERBE AND LYSTRA,.... Which were cities of Lycaonia, Acts 14:6 after Paul had gone through Syria and Cilicia; in the last of these places, he had been stoned, and yet goes thither agai...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father _was_ a Greek: Ver. 1. _But...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Then_ When he had passed through the regions of Syria and Cilicia; _came he to Derbe and Lystra_ At which places he had preached the gospel in his former progress. _And a certain disciple was there,...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    DERBE AND LYSTRA; chap Acts 14:6....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    PAUL AND SILAS IN ASIA MINOR. Acts 16:1 Timotheus, the Christian disciple:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THEN CAME HE TO DERBE AND LYSTRA; AND, BEHOLD, A CERTAIN DISCIPLE WAS THERE, NAMED TIMOTHEUS, THE SON OF A CERTAIN WOMAN, WHICH WAS A JEWESS, AND BELIEVED; BUT HIS FATHER WAS A GREEK;...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Coming to Derbe and Lystra, where he and Barnabas had been persecuted before, Paul was favorably impressed with the young man, Timothy, who had evidently been converted through Paul on his first visit...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    THEN HE CAME TO DERBE AND LYSTRA. AND BEHOLD, A CERTAIN DISCIPLE WAS THERE, NAMED TIMOTHY, _THE_ SON OF A CERTAIN JEWISH WOMAN WHO BELIEVED, BUT HIS FATHER _WAS_ GREEK. 1. We are now introduced to Ti...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    "And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold,. certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of. Jewess that believed; but his father was. Greek"Derbe and to Lystra" "Lystra and Derbe wer...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-5 Well may the church look for much service from youthful ministers who set out in the same spirit as Timothy. But when men will submit in nothing, and oblige in nothing, the first elements of the...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    ACTS CHAPTER 16 ACTS 16:1 Paul having circumcised Timothy, and taken him for his companion, passeth through divers countries, ACTS 16:9 and is directed by a vision to go into Macedonia. ACTS 16:14,15...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    XVI: 1, 2. Without giving the least detail of Paul's labors in Syria and Cilicia, Luke hurries us forward to his arrival in Derbe and Lystra, the scenes respectively of the most painful and the most c...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Tertullian On Modesty Even if, for certain, the apostle had granted pardon of fornication to that Corinthian, it would be another instance of his once for all contravening his own practice to meet th...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Acts 16:1 Then G1161 came G2658 (G5656) to G1519 Derbe G1191 and G2532 Lystra G3082 And G2532 behold...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed, but his father was a Greek. The same was well reported of by the br...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _Paul revisits LystraHe takes Timothy with him He travels through Asia Minor, 1-11_. Acts 16:1. AND BEHOLD. The interjection ‘behold' marks the importance which the writer of the ‘Acts' attaches to t...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    AND HE CAME ALSO TO DERBE AND LYSTRA (κατηντησεν δε κα εις Δερβην κα εις Λυστραν). First aorist active of κατανταω, late verb to come down to, to arrive at. He struck Derbe first of the places in t...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Paul finds Timothy. Paul's Macedonian vision. The first convert in Europe. Demons cast out of a damsel. Paul and Silas beaten. Conversion of the Philippian jailer. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Holy S...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Acts 16:1. _Then came he to Lystra,_ as in Acts 14:6. In their former labours in that city, Lois a jewess, her daughter Eunice, and Timothy her son, had embraced the faith. Now, they found Timothy gro...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    PAUL TRAVELED ON TO DERBE AND LYSTRA. Compare Acts 14:6-21. A BELIEVER NAMED TIMOTHY. Born of a Jewish mother and a Greek father, and had been taught the Scriptures from childhood (2 Timothy 3:15) by...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and behold a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus._ TIMOTHEUS 1. The first of Paul’s missionary journeys reached its furthest limit at Lystra--the most unci...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 16:1 Probably TIMOTHY, his mother, and his grandmother had been led to Christ during Paul’s first witness in Lystra (Acts 14:8; see...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 16:1. DERBE AND LYSTRA (see Acts 14:6) are now visited by Paul and Silas in reverse order to that followed in the first journey. THERE meant Lystra, not Derbe, as has been wron...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION ACTS 16:1 _And he came also _for _then came he, _A.V._ _and T.R.; _to Lystra _for _Lystra, _A.V._; Timothy _for _Timotheus, _A.V._; of a Jewess _for _of a certain woman which was a Jewess,...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    We remember at the end of our study last week there arose a contention between Paul and Barnabas who had been close companions on the first missionary venture of the church. But because Barnabas was i...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 7:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:2;...

  • When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe, 1960

    Why did Paul have Timothy circumcised when he himself spoke so strongly against it? PROBLEM: Paul’s main point in Galatians can be summarized in his words, “If you become circumcised, Christ will prof...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    The latter end of the foregoing chapter gave us. sad account of. dissension and difference arising between Paul and Barnabas, upon which they parted; Barnabas sails for Cyprus, but what success he had...

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Old Testament