Acts 16:1 - Meaning and Application

Paul was like a spiritual father, and we see him here taking Timothy under his care and training. As one who had brought many people to Christ through his ministry, Paul also looked after their growth with wisdom and tenderness. In this way, he shows himself to be a careful and loving father.

Paul first brings Timothy into close fellowship and teaching. One aim of Acts is to help us understand Paul’s letters, and two of those letters are written to Timothy. So it is fitting that Luke gives us some background about him here. Timothy was a disciple, a follower of Christ, and he had been baptized, probably as a child when his mother became a believer, just as Lydia’s household was baptized when she believed (Acts 16:15).

Timothy’s mother, Eunice, was a Jewess, a Jewish woman, who had believed in Christ. His grandmother was Lois. Paul speaks of both women with great respect, especially for their sincere faith, that is, their genuine trust in Christ (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy’s father was a Greek, a Gentile. Because his father was not a Jew, Timothy had not been circumcised, since in that nation the outward sign of the covenant usually followed the father’s line, not the mother’s.

Still, Timothy’s mother had trained him to fear God. Even though he lacked the sign of the covenant, he did not lack the reality it pointed to. He had also earned a very good reputation among the believers in Lystra and Iconium. He was not only free from any bad report, he was spoken of warmly as a promising young man from whom much could be expected.

Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him. He would be a companion, a helper, and a student who could learn from Paul and serve with him in the work of the gospel. Timothy could preach when needed and later stay behind to help strengthen churches Paul had planted. Paul loved him, not only because he was gifted and capable, but because he was serious and deeply moved in his devotion. Paul never forgot his tears (2 Timothy 1:4).

Paul also had Timothy circumcised, which may seem surprising. Paul had strongly opposed those who wanted to force circumcision on Gentile converts. He also had with him the Jerusalem council’s decision, which spoke against making circumcision necessary. Yet Paul did this for a different reason. He did not mean to place Timothy under the Jewish ceremonial law, but to remove an obstacle among the Jews in those regions.

Paul knew Timothy was well fitted for ministry and could do much good among Jewish hearers. But if they refused to listen because he was uncircumcised, then his usefulness would be hindered. So Paul chose to meet them where they were, as he did whenever he could, becoming like a Jew to gain the Jews, and all things to all people, that he might save some. He opposed those who made circumcision necessary for salvation, but he could still use it for the sake of peace and usefulness. He was not as rigid in refusing it as they were in demanding it.

In this, Paul did not follow the letter of the Jerusalem decision, but he did follow its spirit. That spirit was kindness toward the Jews and a patient effort to lead them away from their old prejudices step by step. Paul was willing to take Timothy with him even though he was uncircumcised, but he knew the Jews would be less likely to hear him if that issue remained. It is likely that around this time Paul also laid his hands on Timothy to give him the gift of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:6).

Paul then went on to strengthen the churches he had already planted (Acts 16:4, Acts 16:5). He traveled through the cities where he had preached the word of the Lord, as he had planned before (Acts 15:36), to see how they were doing. He gave them copies of the decisions made by the Jerusalem council, so they would know how to govern themselves and have an answer for the teachers who were trying to force Jewish customs on them. The churches were all concerned in that decision, so they needed to receive it clearly and reliably.

Even though Paul had circumcised Timothy for a special reason, he did not want anyone to turn that into a rule for everyone else. So he delivered the council’s decrees to the churches and expected them to follow that guidance. They were to hold to the rule, not be led away from it by one special case.

This did them much good. The churches were strengthened in the faith (Acts 16:5). They were especially confirmed in their view that the ceremonial law should not be imposed on Gentile believers. The strong pressure and clever arguments of the judaizing teachers, meaning those who wanted Gentile Christians to follow Jewish law, had unsettled some of them. But when they saw the clear witness not only of the apostles and elders, but also of the Holy Spirit, they were settled again and no longer wavering. Testimony to the truth may not always convince those who oppose it, but it often greatly helps those who are uncertain and keeps them firm.

The purpose of this decree was to set aside the ceremonial law and its outward rules. Because of that, these believers were confirmed in the Christian faith all the more. They were sure it was from God, since it opened a spiritual way of serving him, which fits the nature of both God and people better. The gentle and considerate tone of the letter also showed that the apostles and elders were guided by the One who is love itself.

The church also kept growing every day. If the apostles had forced Gentile believers under the burden of the ceremonial law, that alone would have driven many people away. Those who wanted to become Jews could have done that long before the apostles came. But if they had to take on the Jews’ heavy yoke in order to enjoy the blessings of Christ, they would simply remain as they were.

Since they saw there was no danger of being put under that burden, they were ready to receive Christianity and join the church. So the church increased day by day, and not a day passed without some giving themselves to Christ. It is a great joy to all who truly care about Christ’s honor, the good of the church, and the salvation of people to see such growth.