Acts 16 1

Acts 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:

Acts 16:1 nkjv

Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.

Acts 16:1 niv

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.

Acts 16:1 esv

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.

Acts 16:1 nlt

Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek.

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 1 Meaning

This verse marks a significant point in Paul's second missionary journey. Returning to the cities where he previously established churches, Paul encounters Timothy, a young follower of Jesus. The verse highlights Timothy's background: he is a disciple with a Jewish mother who is also a believer in Christ, but his father is a Greek. This dual heritage sets the stage for Timothy's essential role in Paul's ministry and the broader understanding of identity and mission within the early church.

Acts 16 1 Context

Acts 16:1 initiates the second major phase of Paul's missionary journeys. Having concluded the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, which affirmed Gentile believers do not need to be circumcised to be saved, Paul and Silas set out to strengthen the churches previously planted. This verse establishes the setting of their journey, leading them back to the Roman province of Galatia, specifically the Lycaonian cities of Derbe and Lystra, places where Paul had suffered greatly on his first journey. It's in these familiar but challenging mission fields that a new and crucial character, Timothy, is introduced. His unique background – a Jewish mother who believed in Christ and an uncircumcised Greek father – makes him a bridge figure between Jewish and Gentile worlds, immediately raising implications for the ongoing theological and practical discussions about Gentile inclusion and the demands of the Law within the nascent Christian community. The context thus combines geographical re-engagement, personal recruitment, and continued wrestling with inter-cultural gospel presentation.

Acts 16 1 Word analysis

• Then (κατήντησεν - katēntēsen): This word indicates Paul's deliberate arrival at a destination, often implying the end of one leg of a journey and the beginning of a new phase. It links directly to the earlier intention of revisiting churches (Acts 15:36).
• he came: Refers to Paul, as the primary subject of the preceding narrative and the leader of this missionary venture. It shows his continued active participation in mission.
• to Derbe and Lystra: These are specific cities in the Roman province of Galatia, previously evangelized by Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14). Returning here demonstrates Paul's commitment to disciple and strengthen established believers, even in places where he faced intense persecution (e.g., Lystra, Acts 14:19-20).
• A disciple (μαθητὴς - mathētēs): This term identifies Timothy primarily as a follower and learner of Christ, indicating his personal faith and commitment before any mention of his potential leadership role. It emphasizes a foundational requirement for ministry.
• named Timothy (Τιμόθεος - Timotheos): A significant new character for Paul's ministry. The name means "honoring God" or "honored by God." His introduction here marks the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership with Paul.
• was there: Implies that Timothy resided in one of these cities, most likely Lystra, given Paul's strong connections there (2 Tim 1:5, 3:10-11). He was already a part of the local Christian community.
• whose mother was Jewish (μητρὸς Ἰουδαίας - mētros Ioudaias): According to Jewish law (halakha), Jewish identity was passed through the mother. This means Timothy was legally considered a Jew by his heritage. This detail is crucial for understanding later events regarding his circumcision.
• and a believer (πιστῆς - pistēs): This clarifies that his mother was not only ethnically Jewish but also a Christian convert, indicating that Timothy grew up in a home where Christ was honored (cf. 2 Tim 1:5; 3:15). Her faith was instrumental in his spiritual formation.
• but his father was a Greek (πατὴρ Ἕλλην - patēr Hellēn): This detail contrasts with the mother's background, highlighting Timothy's mixed parentage. As his father was Greek, Timothy was uncircumcised, a significant marker in both Jewish and Gentile cultural contexts. The father's Greek identity likely indicates he was not a convert to Judaism, nor necessarily to Christianity at this point.

Words-group analysis

• "Then he came to Derbe and Lystra.": This phrase signals continuity in Paul's mission, showcasing his determination to revisit and nurture the fledgling churches despite past persecution. It underscores his commitment to disciple-making and church-strengthening from Acts 15:41.
• "A disciple named Timothy was there": This introduces a pivotal figure into the narrative. The term "disciple" immediately establishes Timothy's spiritual standing—he is a committed follower of Christ—making him a prime candidate for future ministry alongside Paul.
• "whose mother was Jewish and a believer, but his father was a Greek.": This crucial statement immediately informs the reader of Timothy's mixed ethnic and religious heritage. His Jewish mother provided a heritage linked to God's covenant people and likely grounded him in the Old Testament Scriptures (2 Tim 3:15), while her faith in Christ brought him into the New Covenant. His Greek father, however, meant Timothy lacked the traditional sign of the covenant (circumcision), positioning him uniquely between the Jewish and Gentile worlds, a situation highly relevant to the early church's internal debates and outward mission.

Acts 16 1 Bonus section

• Personal Courage of Paul: Returning to Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19) demonstrates extraordinary courage, faith, and dedication to the disciples there, including Timothy.
• Importance of Mentorship: This verse sets the stage for one of the New Testament's most profound mentor-mentee relationships between Paul and Timothy, shaping Timothy into a mature leader.
• Theology in Practice: Timothy's background, poised between Jewish and Gentile identities, made him a living illustration of the theological debates settled by the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), providing a unique perspective on the gospel's reach to "neither Jew nor Greek."
• The Name "Timothy": His name, "honoring God," fittingly prefigures a life devoted to God's service and revered by Paul and the church.

Acts 16 1 Commentary

Acts 16:1 is more than a geographical or biographical note; it's a strategically placed introduction to a key player in God's redemptive plan. Paul's return to Derbe and Lystra signifies the apostolic practice of solidifying new converts and establishing stable Christian communities. The encounter with Timothy is providence. His identification as a "disciple" first speaks volumes about his spiritual readiness. The description of his mixed parentage—a believing Jewish mother and a Greek father—is critical. His mother, Eunice, having likely been converted on Paul's first journey and previously instilled faith and Scriptural knowledge (2 Tim 1:5; 3:15), created a rich spiritual foundation for Timothy. The Greek father, however, meant Timothy was uncircumcised. This specific background perfectly positions Timothy to be a bridge, embodying the Jerusalem Council's decision (Acts 15) to include Gentiles while still resonating with Jewish tradition, and setting the stage for Paul's pragmatic decision to circumcise him in the following verses for missional effectiveness rather than theological necessity (Acts 16:3; 1 Cor 9:20-22). The verse implicitly commends the impactful role of a faithful parent in raising a child for Christ.