Chapter Sixteen –
Second Journey of Paul
ACTS 16:1-6:
It
was in the
previous lesson, at the conclusion, that we actually began this journey.
The journey will begin from the same point that the first journey began, Antioch of Syria. Paul and Silas will be commended by the brethren to this work (15:40); and from Antioch they will go through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the brethren in these locations (15:41). Please use the map provided: http://www.plvcc.org/index.html?/articles_live_by_faith/acts_16_map.html
Text #1:
Acts 16:1-3
“Then he came to
Derbe
and
Lystra.
And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a
certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.
2
He was well
spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
3
Paul wanted
to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him
because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his
father was Greek.”
Derbe and
Lystra:
Paul and
Silas would come from the opposite direction to this region of
Lycaonia (Acts
14:6), and stop at these two cities which are about thirty miles
apart. We know that Paul cannot stay in two places at once; Luke is telling
us that whichever city Paul actually stayed in, the work he is doing here is
on behalf of both (such as delivering the decrees –
Vs.4,
and strengthening the brethren –
15:41).
Timothy:
It is here that we will be introduced for the first time to Timothy; who
will be an intricate part of New Testament history from here on out.
Luke
reveals first that he is “The son of
a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was a Greek”.
Timothy’s
grandmother (Lois) and his mother (Eunice) are God fearing woman and brought
Timothy up with the Old Testament scriptures.
2 Timothy 1:5
“when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in
you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and
I am persuaded is in you also.”
2 Timothy 3:14-15
“But you must continue in the things which you have
learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15
and that
from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make
you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Since
Timothy is recorded by Luke as already being a disciple; this indicates that
he was converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the preaching of Paul
and Barnabas on the first journey. In addition, he has been a disciple long
enough to be well spoken of by the brethren here (Vs.
2).
The Apostle
Paul will enlighten us further concerning what this speaking well would
entail when he would remind Timothy later in order to motivate him to fight
the good fight of faith, note:
1 Timothy 1:18
“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according
to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may
wage the good warfare”
1 Timothy 4:14
“Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was
given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.”
Paul
defines that the gift within Timothy was that he would wage the good
warfare, thus the laying on of hands here is not the bestowal of a spiritual
gift (which we know that only the Apostles can perform), but the
demonstration of approval towards the spoken prophecy of Timothy
accomplishing this purpose (which is emphasized in both contexts of Paul’s
statements – verses those who would abandon their calling, and so all could
see his progress and dedication to the doctrine).
Lastly,
Luke records that Paul is going to perform an act of expediency. Paul knows
that he will engage many cities by entering the synagogues first, as he has
demonstrated time and again in the first journey and that Timothy would not
be able to enter with him unless he were circumcised. So, in order for
Timothy to go with Paul, as Paul desires, and be able to be a student of
everything Paul does, Timothy needs to able to go where Paul goes. Since in
this region, and I am sure word would go elsewhere as well, that his father
was a Greek, Paul performed this expediency so that Timothy could go where
Paul goes.
We know
that Paul has already demonstrated that this is not necessary for service to
God (Galatians
2:3 – Titus), and that he is carrying with him the inspired
letter from Jerusalem that demands that this is also not necessary. So, the
only reason for this is so Timothy can accompany Paul as Paul wishes (an
expedient act!).
Timothy is
not only going to go with Paul on this journey and learn, but we will see
that he becomes a very effective servant of Jesus Christ and a trusted
fellow servant with the Apostle Paul. Paul’s language concerning Timothy
speaks volumes for the love that Paul will develop for this young man, note:
1 Timothy 1:2
“To
Timothy, a true son in the faith:
Grace,
mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”
2 Timothy 1:2
“To
Timothy, a beloved son:
Grace,
mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Philippians 2:19-24
“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you
shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.
20
For I have
no one like-minded,
who will sincerely care for your state.
21
For all
seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.
22
But you
know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served
with me in the gospel.
23
Therefore I
hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.
24
But I trust
in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.”
Text #2:
Acts 16:4-5
“And as they went through the cities, they delivered to
them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders
at Jerusalem.
5
So the
churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”
Paul and
Silas deliver the decrees from the elders and Apostles as written by them,
but sanctioned by the Holy Spirit of God (Acts
15:28), to these Gentile churches.
The results
of this were very similar to that of
the Body of Christ in Jerusalem when the consensus of doctrinal purity
was established; a productive unity (Vs.
5).
Luke has
only specified that Paul and Silas have come and engaged the cities of
Lystra and Derbe. There is no reason to speculate about other locations, as
Luke is an able body recorder. Thus,
verses 4-5 refer specifically to Lystra and Derbe (however, we
would be very naïve, especially considering the work of the disciples in
copying and sharing scripture, to think that the other congregations from
the first journey would not have the decrees shared with them as well).
Text #3:
Acts 16:6
“Now when they had gone through
Phrygia
and the region of
Galatia,
they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.”
Phrygia:
This is a large Roman province inland and a little south-central in Asia
Minor (see map link). This will constitute Paul’s first visit to this region
and not much is mentioned here or elsewhere about them.
Galatia:
This is another large Roman province connected directly east and a little
north of Phrygia. This also constitutes Paul’s first visit here; which is
something he will refer to in writing to the churches that will be
established in this region starting here – see:
Galatians 4:13-15.
Luke
records the travels through these two regions in a single verse, so it is
difficult to sense the passage of time involved in this short verse;
however, we can note in Paul’s letter to the Galatians that he had to stay
here awhile with them due to an infirmity with his eyes.
Summary:
We began this journey with Paul and Silas in Antioch of Syria; they then
traveled through the rest of Syria and through the region of Cilicia
strengthening the Bodies of Christ
along the way. When they came to the area of the two cities of Lystra and
Derbe, they will pick up a young Timothy to travel with them. They delivered
the decrees to these cities which strengthened them to a productive unity.
From here they will travel to two new areas of Asia Minor; Phrygia and
Galatia. Luke does not record anything about these visits and Paul will not
return to these regions until
Chapter 19.