Be Still And Know

Acts 16.2-3 NLT 'Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.' This is a fascinating moment. Paul has just come away from the Council of Jerusalem where the decision has been clearly made that it is unnecessary for Christians to obey the Jewish law. He, more than anyone, passionately believed that it was not necessary for men to be circumcised and in his letters he is scathing of those who insisted on it. So why does he insist that his new companion, Timothy, should go through a ceremony which he believes is entirely unnecessary? The answer is clearly that he believed that their priority was to preach the gospel and that they must ensure that nothing got in the way of that. If Timothy was to work effectively amongst Jews then it would be much more helpful if he were to be circumcised. Timothy’s