Acts 16:1-10
Chapter 16
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
Paul traveled on to Derbe and then to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy lived there, whose mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was Greek.As the believers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him, Paul wanted Timothy to join him.
So he took him, and because all the Jews in that area knew his father was Greek, he circumcised him.
As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
Meanwhile, the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number every day.
They traveled through Phrygia and Galatia because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching in the province of Asia.
When they reached Mysia, they tried to go on to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do so.
So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.
Paul’s Vision
One night, Paul had a vision there. A Macedonian appeared before him and pleaded, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us!’
When he woke up, he told us about this vision, and we understood that the Lord was calling us to share the Good News with the Macedonian people.
Commentaries
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas.
Timothy is introduced as one of the apostles’ favored partners. The new mission team enters Asia Minor, likely heading toward major Greco-Roman cities such as Pergamum and Ephesus in the Asian province. Along the way, they visit established communities for pastoral care. However, their planned journey is disrupted by the Holy Spirit—Luke refers to him here as “the Spirit of Jesus” (7)—who dramatically changes the evangelists’ plans. Their new destination will be a different continent: Europe.
Paul’s Vision.
A Macedonian voice speaks Europe’s plea to Paul in a vision. We see how attentive those missionaries were to what we now call “the signs of the times.” Their faith-lit eyes saw in people, events, and circumstances the Spirit of Jesus guiding their steps and opening new mission paths. Philippi is the first European city to be evangelized. The missionaries stay at Lydia’s home, a Gentile and the first European believer. Lydia’s house will become the site of one of the most passionate communities.