Flexibility in the Ministry
June 21, 2021
Commentary
Paul and Silas traveled by land to Derbe and then on to Lystra where Timothy was enlisted as an assistant for Paul (v. 1). Timothy’s mother was Jewish, but his father was Greek. Due to his mixed heritage, Timothy had not been circumcised. To avoid offending the Jews, Paul decided to circumcise Timothy. This might seem like a compromise on Paul’s part as he just debated this very issue in Jerusalem. Timothy, as the uncircumcised son of a Jewish woman, would have been viewed as an apostate Jew by other Jews. The Jerusalem Council had declared freedom for the Gentiles from the Law of Moses but had not freed the Jews in the same way.
Moving on from the churches he had previously planted, Paul attempted to pioneer new territory for the Lord. Asia and Galatia were Roman provinces in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Phrygia was a geographical region that separated the two. Paul would eventually make it to Ephesus, the capital of Asia (Acts 19), but for mysterious reasons the Holy Spirit would not allow Paul to go there directly (v. 6). Turning northward, Paul tried to enter Bithynia, a Roman province in northern Asia Minor. Once again, he was prevented by the Holy Spirit (v. 7). Traveling west through Mysia, a geographical region in northwest Asia, Paul arrived in the city of Troas (v. 8) where he received the “Macedonian call.” A man appeared to him in a dream with an urgent plea, “Come over to Macedonia, and help us” (v. 9). Macedonia was a Roman province located in northern Greece. Immediately they sought passage across the Aegean Sea, eager to preach the Gospel (v. 10). Struggling with open and closed doors is a healthy part of the Christian life.
Samothrace was an island, and Neapolis was a port city (v. 11). Philippi was a landlocked Roman colony (v. 12) the citizens of which had the full rights of Roman citizens. There was no synagogue in Philippi but there was a handful of women who met for prayer down by the riverbank. At the meeting, Paul met Lydia, a successful businesswoman from Thyatira (vv. 13-14). As Lydia listened to Paul, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted Christ. She immediately gave evidence of her conversion by being baptized and opening her home to the missionaries (v. 15). Presumably her home became the meeting place for Christians.
Application
Notice how Lydia opened the door to her household, and learn how we can do the same, whether we are a man or a woman, young or old.
Acts 16:1– 15 (NET)
1 He also came to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2 The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 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 Greek. 4 As they went through the towns, they passed on the decrees that had been decided on by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the Gentile believers to obey. 5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number every day.
6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this, 8 so they passed through Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul during the night: A Macedonian man was standing there urging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After Paul saw the vision, we attempted immediately to go over to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
11 We put out to sea from Troas and sailed a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. We stayed in this city for some days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the side of the river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down and began to speak to the women who had assembled there. 14 A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she persuaded us.