A Disciple Named Timothy
A DISCIPLE NAMED TIMOTHY
ACTS 16:1-5
Paul was prepared to circumcise Timothy, despite his usual principle, so that God’s work might not suffer.
Paul received some compensation for the indignity he suffered on his first visit to Lystra (14:19-20). At least one convert had gone on in the life of the Spirit—and so was ready for the touch of God upon him. He was Timothy. Notice some points of special commendation:
Two subsequent developments confirmed the correctness and wisdom of Paul’s choice. First, Paul was able to send Timothy more than once as his personal representative—and almost as an extension of his own personality—to the churches (1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:19-24; 1 Thessalonians 3:2). And, at the last hour of his life, Paul requested Timothy’s presence (2 Timothy 4:9,21).
The mention of Timothy’s circumcision comes as a surprise in view of the apostolic decree (referred to again in 16:4). But there were evidently special circumstances to be respected—viz. Timothy was a half-Jew already (16:1), and Paul simply “regularized his status” (F.F. Bruce) in having him circumcized. Besides, the question of salvation was not in view here, as in the Galatian churches at the time of the (earlier) Judaizing controversy. Then, the avoidance of circumcision was a prime requirement (Galatians 5:2,11). Does 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 bear upon this distinction?
Notes 16:1: mixed marriages, then as now, create a problem, and not least for the children. In Jewish eyes Timothy would be regarded as illegitimate—hence Paul’s desire to remove the stigma by this minor surgical operation. And this would be important if Timothy’s future ministry were to be acceptable to the Jews for whose salvation Paul still yearned (Romans 9:3; 10:1). On Timothy’s Jewish ancestry, see 2 Timothy 1:5.