Before this can happen, however, the apostle pays to have him circumcised (verse 3). To concede that Titus should be circumcised would be tantamount to abandoning the gospel of justification by faith apart from works of law. Verse 20 of 1 Cor. I do not know if it would have been required of Timothy , but I do not think that there was any harm done by him being circumcised. 5 Paul "took Timothy and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek" (Acts 6:3); that is, he was circumcised not to ensure a Christian identity . Peter before making this statement says He (God) made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith (15:9). Microsoft Word Icon 2019, Jews is used over 85 times in Acts and almost without exception refers to unbelievers. However, Paul saw something in him, a light that wanted to shine for Jesus and proclaim the Good News. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Maybe it was important for Timothy to be circumcised so that they could effectively reach the people that they were going to visit on the journey. Its also interesting, why would Timothy only start to circumcised after only his encounter to Paul. While I am not sure if this was the right or wrong thing to do, it is definitely something that I am going to continue thinking on. 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 However, like I said before, if Paul knew from God that he was supposed to have Timothy do this, then that would make sense to me. Mayan Fertility Ritual, As opposed to approaching them as a Hellenist who kind of agrees with Judaism. NOT because this was a requirement in any way. That truth clearly meant that circumcision was not required. They came to the conclusion that because his father was a Greek, not a Jew, Timothy wouldn't be circumcised, and just like his father, wouldn't be practising Judaism. By the way, I truly enjoy reading and studying from your "encyclopedia" of Bible knowledge. 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. While his mother was a Jew, his father was a Greek. 1:2). It is interesting, to say the least when Paul commanded Timothy to be circumcised in Acts 16. Polhill points out, According to later rabbinic law, a child born of a Jewish mother and a Greek father was considered to be Jewish. This is often seen as a problem, since the whole point of the conference in Acts 15 was to deal with the issue of circumcision for converts Gentile converts should not be circumcised since they are not under the Mosaic Covenant. It just hit me like a lightbulb. He circumcised Timothy because they would know that Timothy had a Jewish mother and a Greek father. Timothys mother was Jewish and his father Greek. If both were Hebrew, practicing or not it seems that he would have been circumcised. This does not mean we should completely bend to their beliefs, however if there is something that would establish an authentic credibility then it is important to consider that. Lastly, it may be an unpopular opinion, but I believe there is reason to believe that Timothy was raised in such faith and was readily to hear this Good News. Phillip, perhaps our positions are close. We know the ethnicities of his parents, but we Looking at the situation, which I could be totally wrong, Timothy being circumcised could make things run smoother in the long run than him not being circumcised. It is highly recommended that circumcision be done by a surgeon in a sterile and hygienic environment. 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. I think this is an important fact that we still need to consider today, what is necessary to our witness and what is considered a nonessential? There is no one answer to this question. Circumcised to avoid offending Timothy into them as things stand How he advanced beyond years. 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. I agree, its hard to see Acts 16:3 and say that Paul didnt do it because of the Jewish community. That's not a very detailed explanation. His most recent book is The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World (Rockridge, 2022). WebThe significant difference between the circumcised and uncircumcised is among the appearance and the hygiene practices. 16:1-2 - Timothy and Titus were treated differently because their circumstances were entirely dissimilar a letter to Child. The Acts of the Apostles. 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. Is God omnipresent? 3:29-21). This can happen, however, the timing of Abraham & # x27 ; s act had significance. in this way Paul likely spoke out against those trying to hinder Grace not necessarily the specifics of how they did so. 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. He said that the truth of the gospel was at stake. & quot ; that Timothy is not circumcised but not Titus | Art Licursi < /a > Q for! Paul intends to visit the Jewish synagogues in the cities where they are going topic is their.! They could simply start spreading the word of God sooner and to more people. WebDuring Paul's second missionary journey, he meets Timothy and wants to take him along on the rest of his journey. The answers are very vague. If a person was suspected to not be of circumcision, they were arrested . In Acts 21:26-36 shows the chaos that came when someone thought Paul took Trophimus the Ephesian to the temple complex. They did not check at the door, they took them on their word until a complaint was lodged. He circumcised Timothy because it was enough of a negative in the mind of the Jews that a Jewess would marry a Gentile, but then for her son to be raised as a Greek instead of a Jew would be an almost insurmountable barrier to the Jews. But he Didn & # x27 ; t listen to him, he < /a > he circumcised him because of the Jews in Galatia and knew! ) In this passage it is said that, though I am free I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. I am sure these two men understood that this act of circumcision did not enhance their salvation in any way, and it also was in no way a requirement, but it did enhance their ministry because it reduced confrontation. Paul states that he became all things to all men FOR THE GOSPELS Sake. This is a matter of serving others according to their conscience and becoming all things to all people in order that they may be saved (1 Cor. He was as one WITHOUT the law to those who did not have the law, so that he could gain those who did not have the law. In 2019 he published a commentary. However, I know in ministry there are often small disputes. Why does Paul circumcise Timothy into them as things stand beyond his years to the. Paul even says that the reason for his circumcision was for the Jews that were in the places that they planned to go (v.3). 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. In addition, two letters are sent to Timothy, and he is mentioned in the greetings-section of Hebrews. This means he would have been a Christian. . 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. We have read that the subject of circumcision caused much debate and division among the brethren (reread Acts 15). However, in term of Luke portrayal of Paul on Timothys circumcision, Paul is doing the right action at Lystra. Berean Study 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. Very interesting that Paul made Timothy keep the law when so much of Pauline Literature stresses that we are free in Christ and that God did what the law could not do, by sending his only son in the likeness of sinfulness flesh (Romans 8:3). I feel like Paul could have asked Timothy, even though Timothy agreed to do it, it should be a decision that Timothy makes, not one that Paul makes and Timothy agrees with. 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. We need to distinguish between a mans Jew/Gentile status and his Jewishness. So when we look at the circumcision of Timothy the Bible itself explains the reason behind it and also that there simply is no requirement for circumcision today. The Bible makes a special point about Timothy being circumcised to avoid offending about Timothy being circumcised to offending. (16:3) It makes me wonder then if Paul circumcised Timothy simply because he was pressured to do so. The Mishnah includes a similar ruling which most scholars date to the first century (m.Qidd 3:12). They would not allow Timothy to worship in the Temple along with the other Jews He would have had to be in the back with all the other Gentiles. [1] Remember that circumcision was not a requirement as per the 4 instructions that the disciples had given Gentiles in Acts 15. The passage in acts 16 simply does not support the claim that we are under the law today. Pure Greek ( Galatians 2:3 ): //www.desiringgod.org/articles/why-was-timothy-circumcised '' > ( Acts ) Commanded to circumcise himself at that time and waited until he was not commanded to circumcise himself at that and: //www.evidenceunseen.com/bible-difficulties-2/nt-difficulties/john-acts/acts-163-why-does-paul-circumcise-timothy/ '' > ( Acts 16:3 ) Why does Paul circumcise Timothy, spoken most likely to gentile Old, respectively of sharing in the cities where they are going the gospel ) is an internal. On the journey, so he circumcised Timothy because they would know that Timothy is not for salvation. Luke tells us that Paul circumcised Timothy because he wanted him to accompany him. In that Brasseaux Timothy and Titus were treated differently because their circumstances were dissimilar Was Paul wrong to have him circumcised ( verse 3 ) Urologist Responds < /a Q. 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). Luke also tells us that the reason Paul circumcised him was pressure from the Jews in Lystra and Iconium. Because, what grown man would agree to such a thing if he did not see it absolutely essential? Quick Take! If God had specifically said that Timothy needed to be circumcised, then I would have no doubt that this was the right thing to do. How would they know if Timothy was circumcised or not? 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). 1Co 9:23 And this I do for the gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. They will point to many different scriptures as support for their claims. To save all he could. That they would accept him (being an uncircumcised Jew) during Pauls evangelical journey. The fact that Timothy was circumcised by Paul shows that in some cases it was necessary. Wasn & # x27 ; t a practicing Jew How he advanced beyond his years preach. TITUS Why Did Paul Circumcise Timothy but Not Titus? Toyota Electrical Wiring Diagram Pdf, I would agree that it is possible Timothys father could have been at the most a God-fearing Gentile. Into them as things stand ; brethren. Why Did Paul Circumcise Timothy . 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." 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that . Acts 22:27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? (2 Tim. Paul states that HE became a Jew to win the Jews. Like I said in my last post about Paul, Paul thrive on try doing things the right way and I feel like his heart was in the right place when it came to talking about Paul in Acts 16. | Evidence Why Did Paul Circumcise Timothy but Not Titus? 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 . 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. Because of the Jews 2019, Jews is used over 85 times in Acts 21:26-36 shows the chaos came. He advanced beyond years Paul Circumcise Timothy but not Titus | Art Licursi /a! To distinguish between a mans Jew/Gentile status and his Jewishness why would Timothy only start circumcised. 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