Paul circumcises Timothy despite championing uncircumcision elsewhere, revealing how missionary strategy can override theological principle when cultural barriers threaten gospel access.
Acts 16
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
1He came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed, but his father was a Greek.
2The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him.
3Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
4As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
5So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
7When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn’t allow them.
8Passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.”
10When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Good News to them.
Lydia's Conversion and Paul and Silas in Prison
11Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;
12and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city.
13On the Sabbath day we went outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
14A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul.
15When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
16As we were going to prayer, a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling.
17Following Paul and us, she cried out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation!”
18She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” It came out that very hour.
19But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
20When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city
21and advocate customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”
22The multitude rose up together against them and the magistrates tore their clothes from them, then commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely.
24Having received such a command, he threw them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks.
25But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were loosened.
27The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm yourself, for we are all here!”
29He called for lights, sprang in, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,
30brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house.
33He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.
34He brought them up into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly with all his household, having believed in God.
35But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, “Let those men go.”
36The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out and go in peace.”
37But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!”
38The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,
39and they came and begged them. When they had brought them out, they asked them to depart from the city.
40They went out of the prison and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, then departed.
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Theme
Paul recruits Timothy as a ministry partner and receives divine guidance through visions and the Holy Spirit's direction, leading the missionary team to Macedonia. In Philippi, Paul's ministry yields both triumph and persecution: Lydia becomes a prominent convert and opens her home to the missionaries, but Paul's exorcism of a fortune-telling spirit leads to imprisonment. God dramatically delivers Paul and Silas through an earthquake, resulting in the jailer's conversion and demonstrating the gospel's power over both spiritual and physical barriers.
Context
This chapter marks Paul's transition from his first missionary journey to his second, expanding the gospel's reach into Europe for the first time.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5 Timothy Joins the Mission Paul circumcises and recruits Timothy, delivering Jerusalem's decrees as churches grow stronger.
- 6-10 Divine Guidance to Macedonia The Holy Spirit redirects Paul's plans, leading to a vision calling the team to Macedonia.
- 11-15 Lydia's Conversion in Philippi Paul's team reaches Philippi where Lydia, a purple merchant, believes and is baptized with her household.
- 16-24 Exorcism and Imprisonment Paul casts out a divination spirit, prompting the girl's masters to have Paul and Silas beaten and jailed.
- 25-34 Earthquake and the Jailer's Conversion God sends an earthquake that opens prison doors, leading to the jailer's salvation.
- 35-40 Release and Departure Magistrates order their release, but Paul demands public vindication before leaving Philippi.
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
16:1–16:10 narrative narration hopeful
Paul recruits Timothy and circumcises him, then receives a vision calling them to Macedonia. The Holy Spirit guides their missionary journey by forbidding certain paths and opening others.
person_contrast
Paul circumcises Timothy despite championing uncircumcision elsewhere, revealing how missionary strategy can override theological principle when cultural barriers threaten gospel access.
Lydia's Conversion and Paul and Silas in Prison
16:11–16:40 narrative narration triumphant
Lydia becomes a convert and is baptized with her household, while Paul casts out a spirit from a fortune-telling girl. This leads to Paul and Silas being imprisoned, but they are miraculously delivered.
person_contrast
Paul's ministry in Philippi uniquely combines three rarely-linked elements—household baptism, demonic exorcism, and miraculous prison deliverance—within a single narrative sequence.
Insights
Paul's ministry in Philippi uniquely combines three rarely-linked elements—household baptism, demonic exorcism, and miraculous prison deliverance—within a single narrative sequence.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Acts 16:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 18:24 Lexical
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptur…
Acts 14:6 Lexical
they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.
Acts 19:17 Lexical
This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Je…
John 3:22 Lexical
After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized.
John 11:8 Lexical
The disciples asked him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
Acts 16:2 2 references
Acts 16:3 5 references
Lexicals 5
Galatians 2:3 Lexical
But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
Acts 24:27 Lexical
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Feli…
Acts 28:7 Lexical
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received u…
Luke 5:26 Lexical
Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things tod…
Acts 24:24 Lexical
After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the fai…
Acts 16:4 1 reference
Acts 16:6 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 18:23 Lexical
Having spent some time there, he departed and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, in order, establishing all…
2 Peter 1:21 Lexical
For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:31 Lexical
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit,…
Acts 10:44 Lexical
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
Acts 10:47 Lexical
“Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.”
Acts 16:9 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 18:9 Lexical
The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent;
Acts 27:21 Lexical
When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to m…
Acts 17:22 Lexical
Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all th…
Acts 16:10 2 references
Acts 16:11 1 reference
Acts 16:12 1 reference
Acts 16:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 21:5 Lexical
When those days were over, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way…
Luke 4:16 Lexical
He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day,…
Acts 13:14 Lexical
But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat dow…
Acts 9:2 Lexical
and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or w…
Luke 4:41 Lexical
Demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allo…
Acts 16:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 13:50 Lexical
But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution again…
Luke 24:32 Lexical
They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened…
Acts 17:4 Lexical
Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas: of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chie…
Acts 8:6 Lexical
The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs which…
Acts 21:13 Lexical
Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to…
Acts 16:15 2 references
Acts 16:16 1 reference
Acts 16:18 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 8:29 Lexical
For Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean spirit had often seized the man. He…
Acts 15:36 Lexical
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the…
Matthew 26:55 Lexical
In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I s…
Acts 16:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 21:30 Lexical
All the city was moved and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the…
Acts 15:40 Lexical
but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
Matthew 20:3 Lexical
He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
Acts 23:5 Lexical
Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of…
Luke 12:58 Lexical
For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, les…
Acts 16:20 1 reference
Acts 16:21 2 references
Acts 16:26 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 5:23 Lexical
“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one…
Revelation 6:12 Lexical
I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, a…
Revelation 11:19 Lexical
God’s temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds…
Matthew 8:24 Lexical
Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves; but he was asleep.
1 Corinthians 16:9 Lexical
for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Acts 16:27 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 12:6 Lexical
The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Gu…
Revelation 4:1 Lexical
After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven; and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking w…
Mark 14:47 Lexical
But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Acts 16:28 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 27:33 Lexical
While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you wait…
Luke 19:37 Lexical
As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice…
Luke 23:46 Lexical
Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his l…
Acts 26:24 Lexical
As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you ins…
Acts 16:36 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 2:29 Lexical
“Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
Acts 12:17 Lexical
But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. H…
Acts 15:27 Lexical
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.
Acts 10:36 Lexical
The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—
Acts 16:37 1 reference
Acts 16:38 1 reference
Acts 16:40 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 12:17 Lexical
But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. H…
Luke 15:28 Lexical
But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him.
Matthew 8:34 Lexical
Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.
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