Acts 16:2 kjv
Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Acts 16:2 nkjv
He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
Acts 16:2 niv
The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
Acts 16:2 esv
He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.
Acts 16:2 nlt
Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium,
Acts 16 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 4:36 | ...Barnabas... | Commended by the apostles |
| Acts 11:24 | ...for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. | Character description |
| Acts 13:2 | The Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” | Direct divine instruction |
| Acts 14:12 | They called Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. | Recognized leadership |
| Acts 15:39 | And Barnabas took with him John also, called Mark. | Separation and differing views |
| 1 Corinthians 9:6 | Is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? | Barnabas's partnership in ministry |
| Galatians 2:1 | Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem... | Paul's visit with Barnabas |
| John 6:45 | It is written in the prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ | Being taught by God |
| 1 Corinthians 2:10 | for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. | The Spirit's deep understanding |
| Ephesians 4:11 | And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers | Various roles in the church |
| Jeremiah 31:33-34 | ...I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. | Direct knowing of God's will |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God... | Discernment of spirits |
| 1 Timothy 4:15 | ...In these things, devote yourself, give yourself to them, that all may see your progress. | Progress in spiritual gifts |
| Romans 12:7-8 | ...if it is teaching, in teaching; if it is encouraging, in encouraging; if it is giving, in giving with zeal; if it is ruling, with diligence; if it is showing mercy, with cheerfulness. | Gifts of service and teaching |
| 1 Peter 4:11 | Whoever speaks, as one speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serves with the strength that God supplies... | Speaking as God's oracle |
| Acts 17:11 | ...examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. | Testing teachings |
| Acts 13:10 | ...you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, you will not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord! | Confronting false teaching |
| Philippians 2:13 | ...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | God's work in believers |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:9 | ...you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. | God's instruction in love |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. | Acknowledging God for guidance |
Acts 16 verses
Acts 16 2 Meaning
This verse highlights the exceptional character of Barnabas, emphasizing his divine commendation and his deep spiritual understanding, which involved direct reception of God's will and the ability to instruct others.
Acts 16 2 Context
This verse occurs within Paul's second missionary journey. After disagreements with Barnabas regarding John Mark (Acts 15:36-40), Paul teams up with Silas. While ministering in Lystra, Paul encounters Timothy, a disciple whose mother was Jewish and father was Greek. Timothy had a good reputation among the believers in Lystra and Iconium because of his faith. This verse introduces Timothy as a key companion for Paul's future ministry in Asia Minor and Europe, marked by his genuine faith and recognized character.
Acts 16 2 Word analysis
- and (kai): A common conjunction, used here to connect clauses and ideas.
- when (hotan): Denotes a specific time or occasion.
- he (autos): Refers back to Timothy.
- heard (akouo): To hear, to listen, to perceive with the ear; in this context, implies understanding and acceptance.
- the (ton): Definite article.
- believers (piston): Those who believe, faithful ones; here referring to the Christians in Lystra and Iconium.
- which (os): Relative pronoun.
- was (yparcho): To be, to exist, to belong to; here describing the testimony concerning Timothy.
- in (en): Preposition indicating location or manner.
- Lystra (Lustrois): A city in Asia Minor.
- and (kai): Conjunction.
- Iconium (Ikonion): Another city in Asia Minor, near Lystra.
- testified (martureo): To bear witness, to testify, to give evidence.
- Paul (Paulos): The Apostle Paul.
- well (kalos): Good, rightly, fittingly.
- of (peri): Preposition relating to the matter of the testimony.
- him (autou): Possessive pronoun referring to Timothy.
Group Analysis:
- "he heard the believers which was in Lystra and Iconium testified well of him": This phrase signifies the positive and credible reputation Timothy had established among the Christian communities. The testimony was not hearsay but likely a consistent observation of his character and faith. This positive witness was crucial for his inclusion in Paul's ministry.
Acts 16 2 Bonus Section
The early church highly valued the testimony of believers. A good reputation was a sign of genuine faith and maturity, making one a credible ambassador for Christ. This aligns with Paul's later instructions on the qualifications for leaders in his epistles, which often include having a good testimony from outsiders as well as believers (1 Timothy 3:7). Timothy's solid standing within his local church paved the way for his wider ministry, illustrating that faithful service begins in one's own community. The narrative emphasizes that genuine spiritual qualities, recognized and attested to by others, are foundational for apostolic partnership.
Acts 16 2 Commentary
The verse focuses on Timothy, described as being well-regarded by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. This commendation is significant because it reflects Timothy's consistent life of faith and integrity, earning him a good reputation within the early church. Such a testimony would have been a prerequisite for someone to be chosen by the apostles to join in their ministry. It underscores the importance of character and community witness in discipleship and service. Paul later circumcises Timothy not to endorse this practice as universally necessary, but specifically to facilitate their ministry among the Jews in that region, demonstrating a pragmatic approach to outreach without compromising the Gospel. This act shows Paul's strategic evangelism, adapting methods where appropriate to reach more people for Christ.