Acts 16:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul chooses Timothy as a traveling companion and circumcises him, so that his well-known Greek parentage will not hinder the work among the Jews of the region.
What Does Acts 16:3 Mean?
Timothy's mother was Jewish, his father Greek, and everyone in those parts knew it. Since Paul began his preaching in the synagogues, an uncircumcised companion of Jewish descent would have shut doors before the gospel could even be heard.
Paul refused to circumcise Titus when the truth of the gospel was at stake (Galatians 2:3-5), yet here he freely removes a needless obstacle, becoming all things to all men that he might by all means save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). The act earned nothing before God; it simply cleared the road for the message. Love knows when to yield what liberty allows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 16:3
What does Acts 16:3 mean?
Paul chooses Timothy as a traveling companion and circumcises him, so that his well-known Greek parentage will not hinder the work among the Jews of the region.