1. Early days - Acts 15:36-41
2. From Derbe to Athens - Acts 16:1-40; 17:1-34
3. At Corinth 1 1/2 years - Acts 18:1-17
The council at Jerusalem is past - the decision that Gentile believers do NOT have to be circumcised is decided. Then...
Him (Timothy) 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. (Acts 16:3)
What? Gill's commentary:
and took and circumcised him; which may seem strange, when there had been so lately a controversy in the church at Antioch about circumcision, from whence the apostle was just come; and when this matter had been debated and determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, where he was present, and he was now carrying about their decrees: but it is to be observed, that the apostle used circumcision not as a duty of the law, as what that required, and in obedience to it, which he knew was abrogated; much less as necessary to salvation, which the judaizing preachers urged; but as an indifferent thing, and in order to gain a point, and secure some valuable end, as follows
because of the Jews which were in those quarters; not the believing ones, for he brought along with him the decrees of the apostles and elders to satisfy them, that circumcision was not necessary; but the unbelieving ones, who he knew would not suffer an uncircumcised person to teach in their synagogues, nor would they hear him out of them; wherefore having a mind to take Timothy with him to be assisting to him in the preaching of the Gospel, in point of prudence he thought it proper to circumcise him, that he might be received by them, and be the more acceptable to them; who would otherwise have taken such an offence at him, as not to have heard him: thus the apostle to the Jews became a Jew, that he might gain and save some, 1Co_9:20 for they knew all that his father was a Greek; and that therefore he was not circumcised; for a woman might not circumcise, because she was not a fit subject of circumcision herself (t); though in case of necessity circumcision by women was allowed of (u).
That verse always perplexed me...Gill's explanation gives clarity to the issue. I liked Henry's commentary on Paul's tenderness as a spiritual father. I find it very encouraging when mature Christian men take on younger men (lads) and encourage them in the faith. A true representation of discipleship. Father continue to turn the hearts of men back to their true calling, cause them to rise up, and reclaim that which has been lost in previous generations. A heart for preaching and teaching the gospel, a desire to train up children (whether biological or spiritual) to be godly men and women.
The passage about the demon possessed girl and her masters - their real beef was about the loss of financial gain, yet they postured Paul and Silas as lawbreakers. For which they are stripped, beaten and thrown into prison. This portion is well known, 'they prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.' (Acts 16:25)
How oft are we stripped, beaten or thrown into prison? Rarely in the physical realm. Though we have many brethren throughout the world who do suffer such persecutions, for which we ought to give diligent prayer. We do, however, as Christians endure trials, tribulations and testings (sometimes physical) but in other areas of our lives. The question is do we pray and sing praise to God? Do others hear us? How viable is our testimony of a loving and gracious God in the midst of, and despite, turbulent times?
If we, in the midst of difficulties, give prayer and praise to God, would we be blessed to see the magnificent outpouring of His spirit in our lives - so much as to shake foundations, loosen bonds and open closed doors? Filled so full of love and complete abandonment to Him and His will that we could give testimony to those who sought us harm or restraint?
"What must I do to be saved?" "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy household." (Acts 16:30-31)
This is the 2nd time household is mentioned - (Acts 16:14-15) - Lydia's heart is opened by the Lord and she and her household are baptized. As well, the jailer, Paul and Silas spoke the Word of the Lord unto him and his household and all were baptized. I know many in the camp of covenant theology use this verse to demonstrate that baptizing infants is viable.
household - G3624 - Of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literally or figuratively); by implication a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively).
I am going to contend with that position - one, Lydia was at the river, w/out a husband. It would appear that she was either a maid or widowed, being a trader (a seller of purple from Thyatira). Gill's commentary states the same, in more detail. There is no indication that Lydia had children, of if married, that there were children present.
Gill's position for the jailer and his house is the same or similar for that about Lydia - interestingly he notes that the servants were probably the ones hearing the gospel. In the passage with the jailer, the word house is defined thus:
house - G3614 - From G3624; properly residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication a family (especially domestics).
My western mind thinks of servants as someone who does their job and goes home. With Lydia it would appear that they lived with, were part of, and/or participated with the family. This may be true of the jailer as well. There is no indication that he was married, nor that he had children.
3. At Corinth 1 1/2 years - Acts 18:1-17
The council at Jerusalem is past - the decision that Gentile believers do NOT have to be circumcised is decided. Then...
Him (Timothy) 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. (Acts 16:3)
What? Gill's commentary:
and took and circumcised him; which may seem strange, when there had been so lately a controversy in the church at Antioch about circumcision, from whence the apostle was just come; and when this matter had been debated and determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, where he was present, and he was now carrying about their decrees: but it is to be observed, that the apostle used circumcision not as a duty of the law, as what that required, and in obedience to it, which he knew was abrogated; much less as necessary to salvation, which the judaizing preachers urged; but as an indifferent thing, and in order to gain a point, and secure some valuable end, as follows
That verse always perplexed me...Gill's explanation gives clarity to the issue. I liked Henry's commentary on Paul's tenderness as a spiritual father. I find it very encouraging when mature Christian men take on younger men (lads) and encourage them in the faith. A true representation of discipleship. Father continue to turn the hearts of men back to their true calling, cause them to rise up, and reclaim that which has been lost in previous generations. A heart for preaching and teaching the gospel, a desire to train up children (whether biological or spiritual) to be godly men and women.
The passage about the demon possessed girl and her masters - their real beef was about the loss of financial gain, yet they postured Paul and Silas as lawbreakers. For which they are stripped, beaten and thrown into prison. This portion is well known, 'they prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.' (Acts 16:25)
How oft are we stripped, beaten or thrown into prison? Rarely in the physical realm. Though we have many brethren throughout the world who do suffer such persecutions, for which we ought to give diligent prayer. We do, however, as Christians endure trials, tribulations and testings (sometimes physical) but in other areas of our lives. The question is do we pray and sing praise to God? Do others hear us? How viable is our testimony of a loving and gracious God in the midst of, and despite, turbulent times?
If we, in the midst of difficulties, give prayer and praise to God, would we be blessed to see the magnificent outpouring of His spirit in our lives - so much as to shake foundations, loosen bonds and open closed doors? Filled so full of love and complete abandonment to Him and His will that we could give testimony to those who sought us harm or restraint?
"What must I do to be saved?" "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy household." (Acts 16:30-31)
This is the 2nd time household is mentioned - (Acts 16:14-15) - Lydia's heart is opened by the Lord and she and her household are baptized. As well, the jailer, Paul and Silas spoke the Word of the Lord unto him and his household and all were baptized. I know many in the camp of covenant theology use this verse to demonstrate that baptizing infants is viable.
household - G3624 - Of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literally or figuratively); by implication a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively).
I am going to contend with that position - one, Lydia was at the river, w/out a husband. It would appear that she was either a maid or widowed, being a trader (a seller of purple from Thyatira). Gill's commentary states the same, in more detail. There is no indication that Lydia had children, of if married, that there were children present.
Gill's position for the jailer and his house is the same or similar for that about Lydia - interestingly he notes that the servants were probably the ones hearing the gospel. In the passage with the jailer, the word house is defined thus:
house - G3614 - From G3624; properly residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication a family (especially domestics).
My western mind thinks of servants as someone who does their job and goes home. With Lydia it would appear that they lived with, were part of, and/or participated with the family. This may be true of the jailer as well. There is no indication that he was married, nor that he had children.
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