King James Version

What Does Acts 16:3 Mean?

Acts 16:3 in the King James Version says “Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters:... — study this verse from Acts chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Him 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 · KJV


Context

1

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2

Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

3

Him 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.

4

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

5

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul's circumcision of Timothy 'because of the Jews which were in those quarters' demonstrates missionary adaptation without gospel compromise. Though Paul opposed requiring Gentile circumcision (Acts 15), Timothy's Jewish mother made him ethnically Jewish. Circumcising him removed unnecessary offense to Jewish evangelism while maintaining that circumcision doesn't save.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Timothy's mixed heritage (Jewish mother, Greek father) created ambiguity in Jewish eyes. His circumcision wasn't for salvation but for cultural credibility in Jewish ministry - 'becoming all things to all men' (1 Corinthians 9:20-22) in action.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you distinguish between gospel compromise and wise cultural adaptation?
  2. What does this teach about removing unnecessary obstacles to others' hearing the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
τοῦτον1 of 29

Him

G5126

this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)

ἠθέλησεν2 of 29

would

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

τὸν3 of 29

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παῦλος4 of 29

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

σὺν5 of 29

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

αὐτοῦ6 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐξελθεῖν7 of 29

have to go forth

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

καὶ8 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λαβὼν9 of 29

took

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

περιέτεμεν10 of 29

and circumcised

G4059

to cut around, i.e., (specially) to circumcise

αὐτοῦ11 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

διὰ12 of 29

because

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὸν13 of 29

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίους14 of 29

of the Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

τὸν15 of 29

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄντας16 of 29

were

G5607

being

ἐν17 of 29

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τὸν18 of 29

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τόποις19 of 29

quarters

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

ἐκείνοις·20 of 29

those

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

ᾔδεισαν21 of 29

they knew

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

γὰρ22 of 29

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἅπαντες23 of 29

all

G537

absolutely all or (singular) every one

τὸν24 of 29

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατὲρα25 of 29

father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

αὐτοῦ26 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι27 of 29

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἕλλην28 of 29

a Greek

G1672

a hellen (grecian) or inhabitant of hellas; by extension a greek-speaking person, especially a non-jew

ὑπῆρχεν29 of 29

was

G5225

to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 16:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 16:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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