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The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible

Acts 16:3

Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Circumcision;   Diplomacy;   Lystra;   Minister, Christian;   Opinion, Public;   Paul;   Prudence;   Tact;   Timothy;   Thompson Chain Reference - Circumcision;   False;   Legalism;   Missions, World-Wide;   Religion;   Religion, True-False;   Timothy;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Circumcision;   Missionary Work by Ministers;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Timothy;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Elder;   Gifts of the spirit;   Law;   Paul;   Timothy;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Circumcision;   Motives;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Circumcision;   Gentiles;   Greek;   Lycaonia;   Timothy;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Circumcision;   Iconium;   Lycaonia;   Lystra;   Paul;   Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Timothy;   Titus;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Galatians, Letter to the;   Mission(s);   Timothy;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Galatians, Epistle to the;   Lycaonia;   Lydia;   Marriage;   Mysia;   Presbytery;   Timothy;   Vision;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Acts of the Apostles;   Expediency;   Galatia ;   Gentiles;   Grecians, Greeks;   Law;   Macedonia ;   Marriage;   Old Testament;   Roads and Travel;   Timothy;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Gentile;   Grecians;   Greeks;   Lycaonia;   Lystra;   Philippi;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Tim'othy;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Circumcision;   Galatia;   Galatians, Epistle to the;   Grecians;   Law in the New Testament;   Lycaonia;   Lystra;   Phrygia;   Timothy;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him, but all the Jews living in that area knew that his father was a Greek. So Paul circumcised Timothy to please the Jews.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
The same Paul wolde yt he shuld goo forth with him and toke and circumcised him because of the Iewes which were in those quarters: for they knewe all that his father was a Greke.
Hebrew Names Version
Sha'ul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Yehudim who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Yevanit.
International Standard Version
Paul wanted this man to go with him, so he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who lived in those places, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.1 Corinthians 9:20; Galatians 2:3; 5:2;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
Paul wanted this man to leave with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
New Century Version
Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him, but all the people living in that area knew that Timothy's father was Greek. So Paul circumcised Timothy to please his mother's people.
Update Bible Version
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Webster's Bible Translation
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those quarters: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
English Standard Version
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
World English Bible
Paul wanted to have him go forth 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.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Him Paul would have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew his father, that he was a Greek.
Weymouth's New Testament
and Paul desiring that he should accompany him on his journey, took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Poul wolde that this man schulde go forth with him, and he took, and circumsidide hym, for Jewis that weren in the places. For alle wisten, that his fadir was hethen.
English Revised Version
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Contemporary English Version
and Paul wanted him to go with them. But Paul first had him circumcised, because all the Jewish people around there knew that Timothy's father was Greek. had him circumcised... Timothy's father was Greekitw : Timothy would not have been acceptable to the Jews unless he had been circumcised, and Greeks did not circumcise their sons. f
Amplified Bible
Paul wanted Timothy to go with him [as a missionary]; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek.
American Standard Version
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Bible in Basic English
Paul had a desire for him to go with him, and he gave him circumcision because of the Jews who were in those parts: for they all had knowledge that his father was a Greek.
Complete Jewish Bible
Sha'ul wanted Timothy to accompany him; so he took him and did a b'rit-milah, because of the Jews living in those areas; for they all knew that his father had been a Greek.
Darby Translation
Him would Paul have go forth with him, and took [him and] circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew his father that he was a Greek.
Etheridge Translation
This Paulos willed to take with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jihudoyee who were in the place; for they all knew his father that he was an Aramoya.
Murdock Translation
Him Paul was disposed to take with him: and he took him, and circumcised him, because of the Jews that were in that region; for they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
King James Version (1611)
Him would Paul haue to go forth with him, and tooke, and circumcised him, because of the Iewes which were in those quarters: for they knew all, that his father was a Greeke.
New Living Translation
so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.
New Life Bible
Paul wanted Timothy to go with him as a missionary. He took him and had Timothy go through the religious act of becoming a Jew because of the Jews who were in those places. Everyone knew his father was a Greek.
New Revised Standard
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Therefore Paul would that he should go forth with him, and tooke and circumcised him, because of ye Iewes, which were in those quarters: for they knewe all, that his father was a Grecian.
George Lamsa Translation
Paul wanted to take this man with him, so he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region; for they all knew that his father was a Syr''i-an.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The same, would Paul have go forth with him, and took and circumcised him, on account of the Jews who were in those places; for they one and all knew that, his father, was, a Greek.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Him Paul would have to go along with him: and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
Revised Standard Version
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Paul woulde that he should go foorth with hym, and toke & circumcised hym, because of the Iewes, which were in those quarters: for they knewe all, that his father was a Greke.
Good News Translation
Paul wanted to take Timothy along with him, so he circumcised him. He did so because all the Jews who lived in those places knew that Timothy's father was Greek.
Christian Standard Bible®
Paul wanted Timothy to go with him; so he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek.
King James Version
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Lexham English Bible
Paul wanted this one to go with him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
Literal Translation
Paul desired this one to go forth with him, and taking him he circumcised him, because of the Jews being in those places. For they all knew his father, that he was a Greek.
Young's Literal Translation
this one did Paul wish to go forth with him, and having taken [him], he circumcised him, because of the Jews who are in those places, for they all knew his father -- that he was a Greek.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Paul wolde that the same shulde go forth with him, and toke and circumcysed him because of the Iewes that were in those quarters. For they knewe all, that his father was a Greke.
Mace New Testament (1729)
so he took him and had him circumcised, out of regard to the Jews of that country, who all knew his father was a Greek.
New English Translation
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
New King James Version
Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Paul saw something in the young man too and invited Timothy to saddle up and ride with them. Paul took Timothy aside and told him they would be around a lot of Jews, and it would probably be better if Timothy had his pickle clipped. This wasn't for salvation, but to be able to reach more people who might be narrow-minded at first because of his daddy being Greek.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Legacy Standard Bible
Paul wanted this man to go with him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Contextual Overview

1Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father. 2The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.4As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

would: Acts 15:37, Acts 15:40

and took: Acts 15:20, 1 Corinthians 7:19, 1 Corinthians 9:20, Galatians 2:3, Galatians 2:8, Galatians 5:1-3, Galatians 5:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:23 - circumcised Acts 17:4 - the devout Acts 19:22 - that ministered Acts 21:21 - that thou 1 Corinthians 2:15 - yet Galatians 5:2 - that Galatians 5:11 - if Philippians 2:22 - ye

Cross-References

Genesis 16:1
Now Abram's wife Sarai had not borne a child to him, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.
Genesis 16:4
And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.
Genesis 16:5
Then Sarai said to Abram, "May the wrong done to me be upon you! I delivered my servant into your arms, and ever since she saw that she was pregnant, she has treated me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me."
Genesis 25:6
But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.
Genesis 28:9
Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham's son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.
Genesis 30:4
So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as his wife, and he slept with her,
Genesis 30:9
When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.
Genesis 32:22
During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants, and his eleven sons, and crossed the ford of Jabbok.
Genesis 35:22
While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father's concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:
2 Samuel 5:13
After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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, and one that served with him in the Gospel of Christ, and who was very dear unto him:

and took and circumcised him; which may seem strange, when there had been so lately a controversy in the church at Antioch about circumcision, from whence the apostle was just come; and when this matter had been debated and determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, where he was present, and he was now carrying about their decrees: but it is to be observed, that the apostle used circumcision not as a duty of the law, as what that required, and in obedience to it, which he knew was abrogated; much less as necessary to salvation, which the judaizing preachers urged; but as an indifferent thing, and in order to gain a point, and secure some valuable end, as follows

because of the Jews which were in those quarters; not the believing ones, for he brought along with him the decrees of the apostles and elders to satisfy them, that circumcision was not necessary; but the unbelieving ones, who he knew would not suffer an uncircumcised person to teach in their synagogues, nor would they hear him out of them; wherefore having a mind to take Timothy with him to be assisting to him in the preaching of the Gospel, in point of prudence he thought it proper to circumcise him, that he might be received by them, and be the more acceptable to them; who would otherwise have taken such an offence at him, as not to have heard him: thus the apostle to the Jews became a Jew, that he might gain and save some, 1 Corinthians 9:20 for they knew all that his father was a Greek; and that therefore he was not circumcised; for a woman might not circumcise, because she was not a fit subject of circumcision herself t; though in case of necessity circumcision by women was allowed of u.

t T. Bab. Avoda Zara, fol. 27. 1. u Maimon. Hilchot. Mila, c. 2. sect. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Him would Paul have ... - This was an instance of Paul’s selecting young men of piety for the holy ministry. It shows:

(1) That he was disposed to look up and call forth the talent in the church that might be usefully employed. It is quite evident that Timothy would not have thought of this had it not been suggested by Paul. The same thing education societies are attempting now to accomplish.

(2) That Paul sought proper qualifications, and valued them. Those were:

  1. That he had a good reputation for piety, etc., Acts 16:2. This he demanded as an indispensable qualification for a minister of the gospel 1 Timothy 3:7, “Moreover he (a bishop) must have a good report of them which are without.” Compare Acts 22:12.
    1. Paul esteemed him to be a young man of talents and prudence. His admitting him to a partnership in his labors, and his entrusting to him the affairs of the church at Ephesus, prove this.
    2. He had been carefully trained in the holy Scriptures. A foundation was thus laid for usefulness. And this qualification seems to have been deemed by Paul of indispensable value for the right discharge of his duties in this holy office.

And took and circumcised him - This was evidently done to avoid the opposition and reproaches of the Jews. It was a measure not binding in itself (compare Acts 15:1, Acts 15:28-29), but the neglect of which would expose to contention and opposition among the Jews, and greatly retard or destroy his usefulness. It was an act of expediency for the sake of peace, and was in accordance with Paul’s uniform and avowed principle of conduct, 1 Corinthians 9:20, “And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews.” Compare Acts 21:23-26.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 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 were then placed; and, as it was done merely in reference to this, Timothy was lain under no necessity to observe the Mosaic ritual, nor could it prejudice his spiritual state, because he did not do it in order to seek justification by the law, for this he had before, through the faith of Christ. In Galatians 2:3-5, we read that Paul refuses to circumcise Titus, who was a Greek, and his parents Gentiles, notwithstanding the entreaties of some zealous Judaizing Christians, as their object was to bring him under the yoke of the law: here, the case was widely different, and the necessity of the measure indisputable.


 
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