Acts 16:3 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

Paul was a spiritual father, and as such a one we have him here adopting Timothy, and taking care of the education of many others who had been begotten to Christ by his ministry: and in all he appears to have been a wise and tender father. Here is, I. His taking Timothy into his acquaintance and under his tuition. One thing designed in the book of the Acts is to help us to understand Paul's epistles, two of which are directed to Timothy; it was therefore necessary that in the history of Paul... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 16:1-5

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:3

Him would Paul have to go forth with him ,.... Perceiving that he was a young man, that not only had the grace of God, but very considerable gifts, and abilities for ministerial service; and having a good testimony of his agreeable life and conversation, the apostle was very desirous he should go along with him, and be his companion in his travels, and be an assistant to him in the work of the ministry; and accordingly he was, and is often spoken of in his epistles, as his fellowlabourer,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:3

Took and circumcised him - For this simple reason, that the Jews would neither have heard him preach, nor would have any connection with him, had he been otherwise. Besides, St. Paul himself could have had no access to the Jews in any place, had they known that he associated with a person who was uncircumcised: they would have considered both to be unclean. The circumcision of Timothy was a merely prudential regulation; one rendered imperiously necessary by the circumstances in which they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:3

Verse 3− 3.He circumcised him, because of the Jews. Luke doth plainly express that Timothy was not circumcised, because it was necessary it should be so, or because the religion of that sign did continue as yet, but that Paul might avoid an offense. Therefore there was respect had of men, whereas the matter was free before God. Wherefore, the circumcising of Timothy was no sacrament, as was that which was given to Abraham and his posterity, ( Genesis 17:13;) but an indifferent ceremony which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

The choice of a fit person. The ordination of Timothy to be a minister of God, and St. Paul's fellow-laborer in the gospel of Christ ( 1 Timothy 4:14 ; 2 Timothy 1:6 ; 1 Thessalonians 3:2 ), was a great event in the Church's history. The character of her individual bishops and priests has always been a matter of paramount importance, and in nothing do we see the wisdom of the great apostle more conspicuous than in the choice of his fellow-laborers, He who refused Mark, because he was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

The Church's duty and reward. I. THE DUTY OF THE CHURCH . 1. To encourage and develop Christian talent. When Paul went to Lystra he found the Church there speaking well of a young disciple, Timotheus. This convert was "well reported of by the brethren" ( Acts 16:2 ), and "him Paul would have to go forth with him" ( Acts 16:3 ). The Church praised him who was praiseworthy; and the minister trusted and encouraged him who was trustworthy, leading him on to higher things,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

Paul's second missionary journey commenced. I. ENLARGED WORK THE FRUIT OF ENLARGED CAPACITY AND EXPERIENCE . 1. In his own spirit—by faithful service and abundant grace received. 2. In his higher standing among his brethren. The sympathy and confidence expressed by the Churches of Antioch and Jerusalem lifted up Paul's spirit to a higher level. 3. In the clearer course opened by the settlement of the controversy as to the position of the Gentile converts. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

Apostolic devotion owned. The opening two little words of the fifth verse must not be neglected. The fifth verse does not merely summarize the incidents narrated in the preceding four verses. It connects them as effects with their just causes, or with that which was in part, and as matter of fact, their just cause. Observe, then, that— I. THE LOVE OF APOSTOLIC HEARTS ESTABLISHES FAITH IN THE HEARTS OF OTHERS AND INCREASES THE SPREAD OF IT . II. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-8

Paul and Timothy. In the intercourse of the great apostle with Timothy, and the history of the latter, we have an interesting episode. I. THE YOUNG DISCIPLE . His case shows: 1. The blessing of a pious mother. The mother's love gives force to all her lessons, sanctity to the curliest of life's recollections. "Knowing of whom thou hast learned them." 2. The blessing of Christian society. He enjoyed the testimony of the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. Not only the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 16:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-8

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