Acts 16:3
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.
Acts 16:3 in other translations
| 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. |
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| WEB | Paul 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. |
| ASV | 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. |
| YLT | 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. |
| DARBY | 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. |
| BBE | 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. |
| Webster | 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. |
What does Acts 16:3 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 16:1-5
PAUL'S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY. Ac 15:41-18:22. Ac 15:41-16:5. Visitation of the Churches Formerly Established, Timotheus Here Joining the Missionary Party. 41. he went through Syria and Cilicia--(See on Ac 15:23). Taking probably the same route as when despatched in haste from Jerusalem to Tarsus, he then went by land (see on Ac 9:30). 1-5. Then came he to Derbe and Lystra; and, behold, a certain disciple was…
Barnes' Notes
(1.) that he was disposed to look up and call forth the talent that might be 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,
(a.) that he had a good reputation for piety, etc., Acts 16:2And he 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, (comp. Acts 15:1,28,29) 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. 1Cor 9:20, "And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews." Comp. Acts 21:23-26.
This he demanded as an indispensable qualification for a minister of
the gospel. 1Timm 3:7. "Moreover he (a bishop) must have a good
report of them which are without." Comp. Acts 22:12.
(b) Paul esteemed him to be a young man of talents and prudence.
His admitting him to a partnership in his labours, and his
entrusting to him the affairs of the church at Ephesus, prove this.
(c) 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.
(g) "circumcised him, because" Gal 2:3-8, 5:1-3 (h) "Jews which were" 1Cor 9:20
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 16:1-5
Well may the church look for much service from youthful ministers who set out in the same spirit as Timothy. But when men will submit in nothing, and oblige in nothing, the first elements of the Christian temper seem to be wanting; and there is great reason to believe that the doctrines and precepts of the gospel will not be successfully taught. The design of the decree being to set aside the ceremonial law, and its…
Acts 16:3 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Acts 16:3
- Galatians 2:3
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
- 1 Corinthians 9:20
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
- Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
- Galatians 5:1-3
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
- Acts 15:40
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
- Acts 15:20
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
- 1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
- Galatians 2:8
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
- Acts 15:37
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Acts 16:2
Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
- Acts 16:3
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.
- Acts 16:4
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.
Acts 16:3 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Este quiso Pablo que fuese con él; y tomándole, le circuncidó por causa de los Judíos que estaban en aquellos lugares; porque todos sabían que su padre era Griego. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Paul voulut que celui-ci aille avec lui, et l’ayant pris, il le circoncit, à cause des Juifs qui étaient dans ces lieux-là; car tous, ils savaient que son père était Grec. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Paulus wollte, daß dieser mit ihm ausgehe, und er nahm und beschnitt ihn um der Juden willen, die in jenen Orten waren; denn sie kannten alle seinen Vater, daß er ein Grieche war. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Hunc voluit Paulus secum proficisci: et assumens circumcidit eum propter Judæos qui erant in illis locis. Sciebant enim omnes quod pater ejus erat gentilis. |