Acts 16:3

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

Paul wanted this one to go out with him, and having taken him, he circumcised him on account of the Jews being in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Latin

Hunc voluit Paulus secum proficisci: et assumens circumcidit eum propter Judæos qui erant in illis locis. Sciebant enim omnes quod pater ejus erat gentilis.

Original

Greek

English

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.

Notes

Acts 16:3

Paul had Timothy circumcised to enhance Timothy’s acceptance and effectiveness as a Jew in Jewish circles. This was not the same as Titus, who was a full Gentile ("Greek"; Galatians 2:3).

Elsewhere Paul clarified that it makes no difference to God whether one is circumcised or not circumcised (Romans 2:25–29; Galatians 5:6; 6:15). Paul was prepared to use any legitimate means to communicate the good news about Jesus to different audiences (1 Corinthians 9:20–21).

Acts 16:1–3

Paul returned to churches that he and Barnabas had established on their previous journey.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Timothy Circumcision Circumcision in the New Testament

Events

Related verses

Galatians 2:3
Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.
1 Corinthians 9:20
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law.
Galatians 5:1–3
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.
Acts 15:20
Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.
Galatians 2:8
For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.
Acts 15:40
…but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
Acts 15:37
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.

People

Javan: Son of Japheth; ancestor of Greek people Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Greece, Greek Lycaonia Paul the Apostle Timothy (Person) Timothy, Second Letter to Travel

Topics

Christian Minister: Sent Forth in Teams of Two: Paul and Timothy Circumcision: Performed on Timothy As a Matter or Expediency Because of The Circumcision: Timothy Diplomacy: Paul, in Circumcising Timothy Lystra: Timothy a Resident of Missionary Work by Ministers: Timotheus Paul: Visits Lystra; Circumcises Timothy Prudence in Circumcising Timothy Public Opinion: Concessions To by Paul, in Circumcising Timothy Tact: Paul in Circumcising Timothy Timothy: Circumcised; Becomes Paul's Companion

Acts 16:3

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