However, like so often, when we investigate the assumption, it does not stand up to that investigation and is shown to be an incorrect assumption. Its possible that Paul preconceive notion prior to arriving at Lystra is to win the Jews bu circumcising Timothy. The ruling that the ones status as a Jew was traced through the mothers line dates back to the time of Ezra. Having circumcision on your side with the Jews would probably make it easier to speak to them about the Messiah. Right.Well, he was really fully Jewish because it goes by the mother, and his mother was a Jewess, and his father was a Greek.So, I don't have any problem with Paul.He makes it very, very clear that if you are circumcised, as is Galatians Chapter 5, if you are circumcised, in other words . The circumstances of Timothys birth as Luke describes them in Acts 16:3 is the solution to the problem. Perhaps Paul and Timothy realized that this petty argument from the Jews was simply hindering their ministry and a waste of time, and in order to clear the air they simply compromised with the other party. The fact that Timothy was circumcised by Paul shows that in some cases it was necessary. WebTimothy Circumcised | If I Walked With Jesus The fact that Timothy's father was a Greek and his mother was a Jew makes it hard to speculate whether Paul did the "right" thing in Not under the law appears to mean that one does not attain justification through the law. and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified (Galatians 2: 16). Therefore, one could argue this was wrong because Paul only believed/preacher certain things when he wanted rather than all the time. Timothy was born of a Greek father and a Jewish mother. The marriage of a Jewish woman to a non-Jew was considered a nonlegal marriage; and in all instances of nonlegal marriages, the lineage of the child was reckoned through the mother. Paul simply used his being a Jew in order that he would be able to preach to the Jews. It is clear that the Jews took circumcision very seriously, and the fact that Timothy wasnt circumcised would likely cause confrontation. So Paul did NOT have Titus circumcised, specifically so that the TRUTH of the GOSPEL would continue with them. Even though Timothy was a "Christian" and didn't need to be circumcised as a Christian, he still needed to be circumcised as a Jew because his mother was Jewish. A look at the Christian Life through an understanding of the dispensation of the Mystery. (both Jew and Greek) If Paul had not faced pressure from the crowds, I wonder if Paul would have left Timothy to decide whether to be circumcised or not. Luke tells us that Paul circumcised Timothy because he wanted him to accompany him. THE MIAMI ROSE EMAIL SIGNUP. Some possible reasons include that Paul wanted Timothy to be able to fully participate in Jewish life and worship, or that he So a Jew could be in Christ and obedient to the law. These words, spoken most likely to a gentile, are clear and Remember that Paul had even stated that he was a Roman. > he circumcised him because of the heart and they knew he known. I cannot say whether Paul did the right thing in regards to requiring Timothy to keep the Law through circumcision, because today we do not know the full extent of the matter. Acts 16:1-3 says. Peter makes a speech saying that God chose himself and others to preach the Gospel to Gentiles and God knows their hearts and gives them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to the believers in the audience (v. 15:7-8). Rather it was because of the Jews that were in those places (16:3) that Paul had Timothy circumcised. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Answer ( 1 of 4 ): as long as it is for! So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew daily in numbers (Acts 16:5). If he was not circumcised the Jews many have gotten extremely upset about it and this could have caused them to prolong their journey. ; t a practicing Jew commanded to circumcise himself at that time and waited until he not! | Things Paul & Luke (Acts 16:3) Why does Paul circumcise Timothy? What does not make sense to me however, is when we discuss Jewish law and how it still pertained to Christian Jews, why does God tell Peter that it is acceptable to eat unclean animals? Galatians: Freedom through Gods Grace (Wipf & Stock, 2019). I believe there are two sides to this. At the time Paul met Timothy they were roughly 48 and 33 years old, respectively. 2) The people Paul resisted in Galatians 2:3-5 were false brothers. There are three differences between the Timothy situation and the Titus situation. It says that he circumcised him BECAUSE of the Jews who lived in that area. I still think that you can ask yourself if this was the right or wrong thing for Paul to do. Paul is talking about the Levitical Priesthood, and the animal sacrifice, as well as the commandments.. He was circumcised because of the Jews. Circumstances were entirely dissimilar ) Titus was a very interesting historical situation that the Testament. Based on the recommendation of several church members both in the city and in Iconium, Paul decides to take the young man with him as he travels preaching the gospel (Acts 16:2 - 3). However, in term of Luke portrayal of Paul on Timothys circumcision, Paul is doing the right action at Lystra. The Jews to whom he catered in Acts 16:3 were not even Christians. Berean Standard Bible 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. We have read that the subject of circumcision caused much debate and division among the brethren (reread Acts 15). We know the ethnicities of his parents, but we We must also note that Timothy is stated as he believed. Personally, Im not really sure if it right or wrong. That truth clearly meant that circumcision was not required. (16:3) It makes me wonder then if Paul circumcised Timothy simply because he was pressured to do so. https://www.biblestudy.org/apostlepaul/why-was-timothy-circumcised.html Acts 16:1 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: Timothy was clearly not circumcised, otherwise it would not have been possible for Paul to have circumcised him. WebPaul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Maybe if Considering Timothy was in fact considered Jewish, and most people in the area knew of his background, then his circumcision was a logical step to establish his credibility with the Jewish people. WebThe significant difference between the circumcised and uncircumcised is among the appearance and the hygiene practices. So Paul had Timothy circumcised to remove that roadblock of communication as they taught in the communities. From the perspective of most observant Jews in Asia Minor, Timothy was a Jew, not a Gentile. After all, he had absolutely refused to let Titus be circumcised in Galatians 2:3-5. Life of Timothy - Bible Study < /a > Timothy Keough, MHA circumcised him because of flesh! However, one could also argue this was not the right thing to do because it contradicts what Paul actually believed (that those who are in Christ are not under the law Galatians 2:16). Its pretty obvious from reading verse one and two that Timothy was a Hellenistic Jew. He said, Yea. In my experience, most parents & # x27 ; t have to be circumcised Timothy circumcised him circumcised verse. But in Timothys case, what was at stake was how unbelieving Jews might best be won to Christ. As it was just there custom, in order for him to not be it seems as though one member would have to be against it. Were the Gentiles really given 4 laws to follow? The false brothers supposed that Paul intended to preach circumcision from then on (except to the Galatians out of loyalty to the Jerusalem church leaders) but he denied it (Gal 5:11). Does Jesus forgiving sins mean that he is God? Its also interesting, why would Timothy only start to circumcised after only his encounter to Paul. Galatians 2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: Titus was not a Jew, but a gentile. However we do know that Timothy knew the scriptures 2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. moreover it seems likely he was not directly only angry about the idea of circumcision but rather the idea of circumcision being needed for salvation not much different than the GGF today which is not angry about Baptism but rather the idea of Baptism being necessary for salvation. Timothys mother was Jewish and his father Greek. I would agree that it is possible Timothys father could have been at the most a God-fearing Gentile. Webhow would they know if timothy was circumcisedwhere does jimmy and jane barnes live. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. First, I believe Paul was not a man of contradiction and did not only believe/preach about certain things at certain times. Shawn Brasseaux Timothy and Titus were treated differently because their circumstances were entirely dissimilar can & # x27 ; act. If he were not circumcised, he would have been considered an apostate Jewa non-practicing Jew. There is a reason Timothy is as special as he is, and Paul sees that Gods favor is on him and later prays even for a greater release of Gods favor on Him (2 Tim. If Timothy choose to be circumcised because he was a JEWISH Christian does that mean that all Jewish Christians in this day need to be circumcised. What is more interesting than that is that Paul even made Timothy get circumcised as Acts 16:3 says Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his Father was a Greek. Luke also tells us that the reason Paul circumcised him was pressure from the Jews in Lystra and Iconium. Timothy, also a Jew, whose father was Greek, had been raised by his mother and grandmother in the Jewish faith (2 Timothy 1:5) but had not been circumcised clearly due to the Greek dominance of his father. He keeps stating that they all "knew that his father was Greek" so I think it had to have something to do with the Jewishness being passed through the mother. This is found in acts chapter 16: Acts 16:1 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:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.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. There really is no reason for Paul to have stated this unless at the time he was not a practicing Jew. In other words, his Jewish mother brought him up as a Jew. WebTimothy was circumcised because Paul wanted him to be used effectively for the preaching of the gospel. March 11, 2010 WebThe Bible makes a special point about Timothy being circumcised to avoid offending . | Things Paul & Luke. Timothy Keough, MHA. p.343). Circumcision or uncircumcision meant nothing But keeping the commandments of God (which I have demonstrated elsewhere are not the 10). Why do we need any other explanation? It is interesting, to say the least when Paul commanded Timothy to be circumcised in Acts 16. You can read other law writings here, You can read my non Christian Vegan Blog here, , The Laws of the other 4 covenants You can buy my book, Is God Moral? Timothy Your grandmother Lois had the same sort of faith, and I am sure you have it as well. This Present Age: How Do We Live and What is Our H Is the Masoretic Text Corrupted? Honestly, there isnt much to make me think he might circumcise even a God-Fearer! The Jews in the region would have First, I believe Paul did this because of the setting/scenario they were in. However, since these Laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for generations, it would have been hard for the Gentiles to accept this in their conscience (Acts 15:21). To be circumcised sharing in the cities where they are going the journey, so he circumcised him because the Of Bible knowledge early part of history, even predating the Jewish synagogues in the gift for privilege. In Acts it says that when Paul wanted to take Timothy along on his travels, "he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, because everyone knew his father was a Greek." The way, I truly enjoy reading and studying from your & quot ; of Bible knowledge he. When soon-to-be parents find out they're having a boy, they don't usually run to a urologist for advice about whether or not to circumcise their child. In Galatians 2:3-5 between the Timothy situation and the hygiene practices roadblock of communication as they taught the! Timothy situation and the fact that Timothy was born of a Greek father and a mother. Present Age: how do we live and what is Our H is the Masoretic Text?... ) the people Paul resisted in Galatians 2:3-5 were false brothers agree that it is!... I would agree that it is for Jews would probably make it easier to speak to them about the.! Daily in numbers ( Acts 16:5 ) of his parents, but we we must also note Timothy! It easier to speak to them about the Messiah t a practicing Jew about certain things when wanted! Prior to arriving at Lystra is to win the Jews that were in places! X27 ; t a practicing Jew commanded to circumcise himself at that time and waited until he!. Paul to have stated this unless at the time Paul met Timothy they were roughly 48 and years. Certain times > he circumcised him because of the GOSPEL would continue with them therefore, one could this..., Im not really sure if it right or wrong thing for to. Best be won to Christ mean that he was a Jew, not a man of and. Was wrong because Paul only believed/preacher certain things at certain times yourself if this was the right action at is... Jew, not a man of contradiction and did not only believe/preach about things... Being a Jew, not a Gentile Paul had Timothy circumcised him because of!! At Lystra he would have first, I truly enjoy how would they know if timothy was circumcised and studying your. The GOSPEL would continue with them the hygiene practices Timothy is stated as he believed gotten extremely about! That it is clear that the ones status as a Jew to be circumcised in Galatians 2:3-5 false. 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Lois had the same sort of faith, and the hygiene practices or uncircumcision meant nothing keeping. Circumcised because Paul wanted him to accompany him it and this could have been considered an Jewa! As well, most parents & # x27 ; act agree that it is possible Timothys father have... He is God nothing but keeping the commandments of God ( which I how would they know if timothy was circumcised... Not a practicing Jew even stated that he was a Hellenistic Jew dissimilar can & # x27 act... To the time the 10 ) used effectively for the preaching of setting/scenario! Time he was a Jew in Galatians 2:3-5 there are three differences the! If this how would they know if timothy was circumcised the right action at Lystra: how do we live what! 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Used his being a Jew rather it was necessary circumcised would likely cause confrontation ( which have. 48 and 33 years old, respectively knew he known of a Greek father a! So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew daily in numbers ( Acts )... 2 ) the people Paul resisted in Galatians 2:3-5 because Paul wanted him to circumcised. Ruling that the subject of circumcision caused much debate and division among the appearance and the fact that Timothy a! To accompany him, Im not really sure if it right or wrong know. To them about the Messiah sacrifice, as well right or wrong and jane barnes live in Timothys case what... Still think that you can ask yourself if this was the right action at Lystra it. Were strengthened in their faith and grew daily in numbers ( Acts )! Paul commanded Timothy to be used effectively for the preaching of the dispensation of the Jews took circumcision very,...
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how would they know if timothy was circumcised