ACT 16:1-5

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

1He came then to both Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. [16:2] He was well spoken of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. [16:3] Paul wanted this one to go forth with him, and having taken him he circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. [16:4] While then they were passing through the cities, they were delivering to them the decrees to keep — those having been judged by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. [16:5] The churches therefore were being made firm in the faith and were increasing in number day by day.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, mixed Jewish-Gentile heritage like Timothy’s created complex social and religious dynamics. Timothy’s mother was a Jewish believer in Jesus, while his father was Greek, placing him in a liminal space between Jewish and Gentile communities. Circumcision, a marker of Jewish identity, was not merely a ritual but a public declaration of belonging to the Jewish people. For Paul to circumcise Timothy, despite his own stance against requiring circumcision for Gentiles (Gal 2:3-5), was a strategic move to ensure Timothy’s acceptance among Jewish communities in Lystra and Iconium. This decision reflects the pragmatic navigation of cultural expectations in the early mission. The 'decrees' delivered to the churches were the apostolic decisions from the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:19-20), which sought to unify Jewish and Gentile believers by addressing dietary and purity concerns. These decrees reinforced the communal identity of the early church while accommodating Gentile inclusion.

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How other translations render this

ACT 16:1

KJV: Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
BSB: Paul 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.
Koinōnos: He came then to both Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek.

ACT 16:2

KJV: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
BSB: The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
Koinōnos: He was well spoken of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium.

ACT 16:3

KJV: 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.
BSB: 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.
Koinōnos: Paul wanted this one to go forth with him, and having taken him he circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

ACT 16:4

KJV: And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
BSB: As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
Koinōnos: While then they were passing through the cities, they were delivering to them the decrees to keep — those having been judged by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.

ACT 16:5

KJV: And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
BSB: So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
Koinōnos: The churches therefore were being made firm in the faith and were increasing in number day by day.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ACT 16:1

Jewish:The word translated 'Jewish' here is more literally 'faithful' or 'believing.' It describes someone who is trustworthy and committed, often in a religious sense.

ACT 16:3

he circumcised:The term used here for 'he circumcised' refers to the ancient practice of cutting around, specifically the removal of the foreskin, a significant religious and cultural rite.

ACT 16:4

decrees:The word translated 'decrees' refers to official decisions or judgments, often carrying the weight of a formal opinion or doctrine established by authority.

ACT 16:5

were strengthened:The word translated 'were strengthened' implies being made firm, solid, or robust, suggesting a deep and enduring fortification rather than just a temporary boost.