BIBLE IN TEN

Acts 16:9

Thursday, 20 April 2023
 
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:9
 
Note: The verse as presented by the NKJV misses the mark. A far closer rendering, that of the Literal Standard Version, will be used: “And a vision through the night appeared to Paul—a certain man of Macedonia was standing, calling on him, and saying, ‘Having passed through to Macedonia, help us.’”
 
The previous verse told of the company of missionaries arriving at Troas. Once there, it now says, “And a vision through the night.” One can only speculate, but it appears that this is the very night that they arrived in Troas. No sooner had they arrived than a vision of the night “appeared to Paul.”
 
As the leader of the company and as the apostle to the Gentiles, the vision was directed to Paul. This is not unlike what happened to Peter previously in Acts 10 when he had a vision calling him to Caesarea to preach to the house of Cornelius. In this case, it was “a certain man of Macedonia.”
 
The group was currently in the province of Asia, but the call is from a Grecian province in Europe to the west. Of the area, Albert Barnes says –
 
“Of Macedonia - This was an extensive country of Greece, having Thrace on the north, Thessaly south, Epirus west, and the Aegean Sea east. It is supposed that it was populated by Kittim, son of Javan, Genesis 10:4. The kingdom rose into celebrity chiefly under the reign of Philip and his son, Alexander the Great. It was the first region in Europe in which we have any record that the gospel was preached.”
 
Of this man of Macedonia, Luke records that he “was standing.” The first verb is imperfect and the second is perfect. The idea is that he was standing and remained standing. While standing, he was “calling on him.”
 
One can think of Paul looking out into the vision and seeing a man who is standing, and the guy is beckoning to him, maybe waving his arms or folding his hands as if pleading. In this state of beckoning, he was “saying, ‘Having passed through to Macedonia, help us.’”
 
In other words, he is essentially saying, “You are over there. You should be over here. Once you have passed over to this side, you can help us.” How the man is identified as a Macedonian is not stated. It could be that the summons to Paul was from the west and so as he looked out over the water toward Macedonia, he identified the man as Macedonian. Or it could be his clothing or speech that identified him. However it came to him, Paul understood who he was and the substance of his words.
 
Life application: With only the Hebrew Scriptures, combined with their personal knowledge of the Lord, the missionaries went forth to proclaim the gospel. As such, it is not unexpected that visions would appear to lead the men concerning what they were to do. This is true with Peter, Ananias, and Paul.
 
The contents of the Bible were not yet compiled. Therefore, at times it was needed for the Lord to personally intervene in the lives of these men, directing them according to a set and determined plan. With the Bible now complete, we have the necessary instructions to follow through with the task of spreading the gospel.
Although we should not expect visions to direct our feet, we can be certain that the Lord is directing them, nonetheless. Those things He wants us to succeed at will succeed. Those things which are not supposed to occur will not come to pass. Our job is not to sit and wait for visions, but to be obedient to the word. The Lord will take care of the details according to His infinite wisdom.
 
Lord God, we know that when we are living according to Your will, You will lead our steps and keep us on the path that You would have us take. Help us to act by directing our efforts toward accomplishing our part of the Great Commission. Give us wisdom, boldness, and the opportunity to be a part of continuing the growth of the church until the day it is complete and You call us home. Amen.
 

Acts 16:8

Wednesday, 19 April 2023
 
So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. Acts 16:8
 
The previous verse revealed the inability of the missionary team to enter Bithynia because the Spirit would not allow them to. With that, it next records, “So passing by Mysia.”
 
Rather, the verb is an aorist participle, “So having passed by Mysia.” This doesn’t mean that they avoided the area altogether, but that they did not preach there. From their previous location, they had to travel through Mysia to get where they next headed, which is that “they came down to Troas.”
 
Their travels took them from an area of the highlands to the coastal area where the well-known seaport of Troas was. Troas, or Alexandria Troas, is a city on the northeastern coast of the Aegean Sea which is the western boundary of Asia Minor. Of this area Albert Barnes notes –
 
“This was a city of Phrygia or Mysia, on the Hellespont, between Troy north, and Assos south. Sometimes the name Troas or Troad, is used to denote the whole country of the Trojans, the province where the ancient city of Troy had stood. This region was much celebrated in the early periods of Grecian history. It was here that the events recorded in the Iliad of Homer are supposed to have occurred. The city of Troy has long since been completely destroyed. Troas is several times mentioned in the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Timothy 4:13; Acts 20:5.”
 
From this area, it is possible to sail off to other areas, and that is exactly what will be needed as the missionaries are led by the Spirit.
 
Life application: As noted in the commentary of the previous two verses, the hindrances placed before the group are not fully explained by Luke. It can only be speculated concerning what it means that the Holy Spirit kept them from preaching in the province of Asia or that the Spirit did not permit them to go into Bithynia. For all we know, there may have been some sort of problem in the region of Asia, such as an uprising or a time of mourning for a leader that had died. Maybe there was an arbitrarily applied lockdown because of a pandemic.
 
Whatever the case, and the speculation could go on indefinitely, the group understood that the timing of the surrounding events precluded them from preaching in this area. As they were being led by the Spirit and their feet had arrived in this area at that particular time, they knew that the Lord had other intentions for them.
 
If you are a believer in Christ, then you are “in Christ.” By default, the things that happen around you are as they should be. It is our job to respond to the events as they come and attempt to discern what God’s will for us is. This can be difficult because it won’t be written on signposts. Rather, throughout your day, talk to the Lord. Acknowledge His presence and ask Him to guide you accordingly.
 
Whatever happens will ultimately be known to the Lord. Nothing occurs that He is not aware of. But this doesn’t mean we are not to act. The more we include Him in our thoughts, prayers, and actions, the better off we will be in our own minds concerning what occurs.
 
At times, Paul sat in a Roman prison. He could say, “Well, this isn’t where the Lord wants me.” But that is not at all what he said. And more, he didn’t give up while sitting there. He continued to rely on the Lord and tell people about Jesus. He accepted that he was exactly where the Lord intended him to be. Just because he may not have liked his surroundings, it doesn’t mean he didn’t accept them as the will of the Lord.
 
Keep close to the Lord at all times. Include Him in all you do. And be sure to acknowledge His will as being a part of where you are at any given moment.
 
Lord God, help us to live in Your presence acknowledging that You are with us and directing us at all times. Our denial of this doesn’t mean it isn’t true. It would just mean that we have failed to accept that You are with us. But You are. And so, Lord, help us to realize this and remain faithful to You no matter what. Amen.

Acts 16:7

Tuesday, 18 April 2023
 
After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. Acts 16:7
 
In the previous verse, Luke recorded that Paul and his company had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia. However, the Holy Spirit had stopped them from preaching in Asia. With that remembered, it now says, “After they had come to Mysia.”
 
The meaning is not that they came “into Mysia,” which was a province of Asia minor. Rather, the word kata is used. It signifies “over against.” They had come as far as (over against) Mysia. Mysia was a district in northwest Anatolia that adjoined the Sea of Marmara on the north and the Aegean Sea to the west.
 
From this point in their journey, it then says that “they tried to go into Bithynia.” Bithynia was a region, a kingdom, and a Roman province also located in the northwest area of Asia Minor. It bordered the Sea of Marmara, the Bosporus, and the Black Sea. Mysia was to its southwest. The men attempted to go into this region, “but the Spirit did not permit them.”
 
In the previous commentary, various suggestions of what this meant were given. This does not appear to be an active manifestation of God, such as when the Egyptians were actively hindered from coming near Israel by the pillar of cloud as those fleeing passed through the Red Sea.
 
Rather, what seems likely is that they simply were unable to successfully travel through this area for some unknown reason. They were hindered in their travels and took it as a sign from God that it was not His intention for them to go into this area yet. Rather, there were other areas He would have them evangelize first. This appears certain from the contents of verse 16:9.
 
As a side note, some manuscripts say, “the Spirit of Jesus” rather than “the Spirit.” If that is the true original, then it is a unique phrase, found only here in Scripture. If it is not original, it may have come from a margin note that later found its way into those manuscripts. Such a rare phrase is not unheard of. For example, the phrases “the Spirit of Christ,” “the Spirit of His Son,” and “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” are also seen in the New Testament.
 
The inclusion of the name of Jesus, if a later insertion, may have come about to avoid anyone thinking, “These men were hindered by an evil spirit.” To clarify the matter, a scribe may have made an insertion with the name Jesus which was later assumed to be part of the original. As always, such things should not cause the reader to assume that we have a fallible word. Rather, it should encourage us to contemplate the matter and think about why such things have come about.
 
Life application: To understand the difficulty of accurately translating a verse from the original to English, or how an insertion for clarity could later be thought of as original, we can take a very simple sentence from the Bible, Genesis 1:1, and make a comparison of a few translations. First, the original says –
 
b’reshit bara Elohim eth ha’shamayim v’eth ha’arets
 
a direct translation would be –
 
“In beginning created Elohim the heavens and the earth.”
 
Note that the two uses of eth in the Hebrew are not translatable. Rather, the word is an untranslatable mark of the accusative case, being generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition. 
 
A few translations of this verse are –
 
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (KJV)
In the beginning, God created the universe. (ISV)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NIV)
In the beginning God created heaven, and earth. (Douay-Rheims)
In [the] beginning God created the heavens and the earth, (LSV)
In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. (Amplified)
In the beginning God formed the heavens and the earth. (SLT)
 
These are but a few of the variations of this verse. Notice how the KJV says “heaven” instead of “heavens.” Later, they will translate the exact same word as “the air” (Genesis 1:26, etc.), “the heavens” (Genesis 2:1, etc.), or some other variant. Being a plural word, their translation is wrong in Genesis 1:1. Further, the word “the” before beginning is not in the Hebrew and should be italicized as is normal with that translation for inserted words.
 
The word elohim at times means “gods” as in something other than the true God. Thus, the Amplified Bible both translates the word and includes it in parenthesis for clarity. It also explains the meaning of the word bara as an act of creation ex nihilo.
 
The SLT says “formed” without any explanation. Therefore, one might assume that the matter already existed, and God simply formed the universe from that preexisting matter. But another word, yatsar, is used to describe such a process, such as in the forming of man from the dust.
 
By looking over the differences in such translations, one can learn quite a bit about what is going on in the minds of the translators. But remember, this is a very simple sentence. Imagine how varied translations can be in longer or more complicated verses! Don’t rush into judging translations until you have studied and thought through what is going on.
 
The study of Scripture is something that we can and should spend our whole lives pursuing. Be pleased to spend your time wisely and consider what God is telling us in this precious word! Study! Consider! Seek out! There is so much treasure to be found here.
 
Thank You, O God, for the wonderful word You have given us. And thank You for those who have taken the time to translate it so that we can have a sense of what the original languages are telling us. Help us to consider this word all our days, pondering its secrets and learning from its truths. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
 

Acts 16:6

Monday, 17 April 2023
 
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. Acts 16:6
 
The previous verse noted the strengthening of the churches that Paul and his team visited and how their numbers increased daily. With that, it now says, “Now when they had gone through Phrygia.”
 
Phrygia was mentioned along with many other areas in Acts 2:10 at the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Those from there who had come to faith in the Lord at that time would surely have gone back and met together, telling others about their faith in the Lord. Phrygia was the largest of the provinces of Asia Minor. Bithynia was to its north, Pisidia and Lycia were to its south, Galatia and Cappadocia were more easterly, and Lydia and Mysia were in a westerly direction.
 
Paul and his company traveled throughout this district, probably helped by a listing of the locations where believers were as recorded and maintained by those in Jerusalem. This is speculation, but it is likely. With that, it next says, “and the region of Galatia.”
 
Rather, the word translated as Galatia is an adjective, “and the Galatian region.” This was, as noted, east of Phrygia. Of this area, Albert Barnes says –
 
“The region was formerly conquered by the Gauls. They settled in it, and called it, after their own name, Galatia. The Gauls invaded the country at different times, and no less than three tribes or bodies of Gauls had possession of it. Many Jews were also settled there. It was from this cause that so many parties could be formed there, and that so much controversy would arise between the Jewish and Gentile converts.”
 
The area will be noted again in Acts 18:23 and then the district will be noted in 1 Corinthians, Galatians, 2 Timothy, and 1 Peter. It is the location where the church of the Galatians that brought so much frustration and heartache to Paul is located. As Gentiles, they had turned from the faith of Christ and to the imposition of circumcision. As such, they were making themselves debtors to the whole law (Galatians 5:3).
 
For now, and with their travels through the region complete, it next says, “they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit.” Nothing is said of how this occurred. Some think it was by direct revelation, such as speaking to Paul. However, Luke will normally detail such intimate occurrences.
 
It could be that they could not find safe travel, guides to lead them, enough resources to effectively set out, or whatever. They knew they were being led by the Spirit and so obvious hindrances to their forward motion would indicate being frustrated to proceed by the Spirit. This is only conjecture, but Luke’s careful recording of such things seems to necessitate that this is what is meant. What they were unable to do was “to preach the word in Asia.”
 
This may make the thought above even more specific. It could be that they started into the area and simply had no effective evangelization at all. This would mean the area was not yet ready to accept what they would later openly acknowledge. Whatever the situation, this is not Asia as we think of in modern times. It is an area of the Roman empire already mentioned in Acts 2:9. Barnes notes that it is the area of proconsular Asia, also called Ionia. Again, he provides more detailed information on the area –
 
“Of this region Ephesus was the capital; and here were situated also the cities of Smyrna, Thyatira, Philadelphia, etc., within which the seven churches mentioned in Revelation 1-3 were established. Cicero speaks of proconsular Asia as containing the provinces of Phrygia, Mysia, Carla, and Lydia.”
 
Life application: The area of Asia will be evangelized later in Acts, being noted many times before the book closes out. It will also be mentioned in 1 & 2 Corinthians, 2 Timothy, 1 Peter, and Revelation. For whatever reason, the team was unable to evangelize the area at this time. More frustrations on where to go will arise in the next verses, but eventually, a different direction for them to travel will be made evident.
 
The Lord is all-knowing, and He knows what is best, when it is best, and every detail associated with how to proceed at such times for the best result. Therefore, if you are encountering a time of frustration in proceeding with something concerning evangelism, it may simply not be time for it to happen. Instead, look for another opportunity and wait on the Lord’s timing for what you had initially planned.
 
There are many places that were once unwilling to hear the gospel message that later accepted it wholeheartedly. There are missionaries who died while on the mission field with no converts. And yet, that occurs in areas where great success eventually was realized. Events like this show us that God is in control of what is going on and that His will is being worked out through us and our actions.
 
So don’t get frustrated if you seem to be hitting a wall in your efforts. The mission team that Paul was leading certainly faced impenetrable walls as they went. And yet, they picked up and moved on, knowing that the Lord was guiding their steps. Remember this, and don’t let setbacks stop you altogether. The Lord will lead as you continue. We can be sure of this, even if we cannot be sure of the “what and when” of the events ahead.
 
Glorious Lord, we know that You have planned out the paths to be taken so that the whole world will be evangelized. It has been a long and often difficult track for many, but Your plan is being realized. As this is so, help us in our own efforts to know which way to turn so that Your will for us will be realized in our actions. Amen.
 

Acts 16:5

Sunday, 16 April 2023
 
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts 16:5
 
The previous verse noted that Paul and his companions went through the cities and delivered the decrees of the council. With that, it now says, “So the churches were strengthened in the faith.”
 
The verb, being imperfect, gives the sense of continuance. Thus, it more appropriately reads, “So the churches were strengthening in the faith.” In other words, it wasn’t just that they were strengthened for the moment and then may have started to slide backward. Rather, because of the decrees of the council, they felt a freedom that encouraged them, and they continued strengthening as time passed by.
 
This would be especially so when considering that the matter that was resolved dealt with them personally. Being Gentiles, any Scripture that they possessed would have highlighted the role of Israel and the Jewish people. To impose upon them the Law of Moses and circumcision would be to rob them of their culture and identity while leaving them among their own culture and people.
 
But with the decision of the council, they would remain within the Christian faith but still be just who they were within their culture. The demands of the Judaizers would have robbed them of this. It would have started with circumcision, gone onto law observance, and soon enough they would be told how they still didn’t fit in because they didn’t speak or act like the other Jewish people.
 
This is no stretch of the analysis at all. This even happened among the Jewish people as was evidenced in Acts 6 –
 
“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.” Acts 6:1
 
If this type of prejudice arose among the Jews just because they didn’t speak Hebrew or Aramaic, how much more would this become an issue with the Gentiles? The legalistic demands on them would never end. But with the encouragement of the letter and the words of these missionaries, they would continue to strengthen day by day in their faith. And more, others would see and be encouraged to join. As it says, they “increased in number daily.”
 
With each passing day, and with the freedom from the fear of death found in Christ and freedom from the bondage of the law, the churches would realize that every answer to the longing of the human soul was to be found in a rightly established faith in Christ. This would appeal (and has for two thousand years has appealed) to those who “through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:15).
 
Life application: Even today, reading the Old Testament might leave a non-Jewish person wondering what part or role they could have in the redemptive plans of God. If all there was of Scripture was the Old Testament, no answer to the problem of sin would have come, but more, only a total identity with national Israel – conforming to their standards and cultural practices – would bring about any state of communion with God as He is presented there.
 
But more, there would only be identity with a group of people who had CONSTANTLY failed to measure up to the strict demands of their God. Yes, His grace and mercy upon them are evident, but so is His wrath and indignation. The bondage of the Jewish people, which they failed to realize hung over them, would be evident to anyone who properly studied their Scriptures.
 
As such, anyone joining them would have to be a person who was filled with the pride of saying, “I can do what they have failed to do. I can please God through adherence to His law.” When this occurs, as it does to this day with such people, their religion is one based on self. Despite the supposed piety of saying, “I follow the God of Israel and keep His Torah,” there is nothing pious in the statement. The actions are based on self.
 
Only when one submits to Christ and says, “Jesus Christ has made me right with God,” is there any true freedom at all. He has done it, He continues to do it, and He will carry us through to the very end. It is all about what Jesus has done. Put self aside! Trust in the work of Jesus. And then, forever and ever, praise the glorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord – to the glory of God.
 
Lord God, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord who alone has the power to save us and to keep on saving us, despite ourselves. Yes, O God, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Hallelujah and Amen.

Acts 16:4

Saturday, 15 April 2023
 
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. Acts 16:4
 
In the previous verse, Timothy was taken and circumcised by Paul. With that now accomplished, the narrative continues, saying, “And as they went through the cities.”
 
Rather, the verb is imperfect, “they were going through the cities.” There is a sense of ongoing action as the team travels from city to city. They have already been through the areas of Syria and Cilicia as was seen in Acts 15:41. They had come to Derbe and Lystra in Acts 16:1. So they are continuing on from there. Verse 16:6 will note Phrygia and the region of Galatia, so it is the general area that they are now going through.
 
Anywhere there was already an established church, they made sure to stop because, as it next says, “they delivered to them the decrees to keep.” Again, the verb is imperfect, saying, “they were delivering to them the decrees to keep.”
 
In each city where there was a church, they were careful to stop and provide the judgment that had previously been rendered. The narrative may imply that a sufficient number of certified copies of the edict had been prepared and that each church was given its own.
 
Even if not, the decrees were transmitted to them in a suitable manner. The word translated as “decrees” is dogma. It is now seen for only the second time, the first being in Luke 2:1. Of it, Albert Barnes states –
 
“It properly means a law or edict of a king or legislature. In this instance it was the decision of the council in a case submitted to it, and implied an obligation on the Christians to submit to that decision, since they had submitted the matter to them. The same principles, also, would be applicable everywhere, and the decision, therefore, at Jerusalem became conclusive.”
 
As for providing copies or maybe making a copy from a single original, with Silas accompanying the team, he stood as a representative of the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:22).  And so, he could vouch for its contents “which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.”
 
The council was the final human authority on such matters at this time. As such, their decision stood as a witness against any Judaizers that would come in and try to bully the Gentiles into being circumcised and observing the Law of Moses. This was necessary as is evidenced by the trouble that had come about in Antioch. It is the same trouble that Paul agonizes over in his letter to those in Galatia.
 
At such an early time in the church, the heresy of law observance was at the forefront of issues that were infecting the minds of believers. Personally carrying the contents of the council was, therefore, a matter of critical importance for ensuring the purity of the gospel.
 
Life application: There is no council of apostles and elders in Jerusalem today. When the apostles were all dead, that was the end of the authority of this body in deciding matters concerning the church. This is a clear and poignant point that tells us of the importance of Scripture for the guidance of the church.
 
Despite the claims of the Vatican’s “Holy See,” no set council or body has been bestowed the authority over such matters when the body of believers in Jerusalem faded away. And none is needed. The writings of the apostles were saved and compiled into the New Testament. It now stands as the sole authority for deciding matters concerning the faith.
 
No pope, council, conference, synod, or congregation has the right to make any ruling that does not comply with what is stated in Scripture. If a matter is raised that is not addressed in Scripture, then there is freedom to decide how to handle it. But that decision should not be considered as authoritative and binding, as if it is on the same level as Scripture.
 
Care must be taken to keep Scripture alone as the divinely inspired authority for matters of the faith. Anything else is to be considered as a guideline for those who meet in a church, but it is a guideline that can be changed as the situation demands. Scripture, on the other hand, cannot be.
 
This is an important lesson we must learn. Because there is no “council in Jerusalem,” and because God has not left the church to run willy-nilly in every direction, we can – and must – conclude that He has given us a suitable standard by which we can determine necessary matters of the faith. That standard is the Holy Bible.
 
Glorious God Almighty, may we carefully consider how important it is to maintain the Bible in its proper place in our lives. It is the final authority for all matters relating to our relationship with You. Help us to never trifle with its sacred contents, but to carefully consider it and obediently apply it to our lives. Amen.

Acts 16:3

Friday, 14 April 2023
 
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. Acts 16:3
 
The words now continue to refer to Timothy who was introduced in Acts 16:1. Of him, it next says, “Paul wanted to have him go on with him.”
 
Nothing says how this came about. It could have been Paul wanting to take more people as assistants. It might be Paul recognizing Timothy’s character and ability to share the gospel. It even might be Timothy who initiated the idea, asking if he could accompany them on their journeys. The reason is less important than the fact that Paul agreed with Timothy’s character and that his presence would benefit their journey. Because of this, Luke next records, “And he took him and circumcised him.”
 
This seems to fly in the face of Paul’s letter to those in Galatia. In that letter, Paul completely dismisses the necessity for circumcision. He says –
 
“Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.” Galatians 2:3
 
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” Galatians 5:1-6
 
This event appears to contrast with the decision of the council recorded in Acts 15. The entire point of calling the council was because the Judaizers wanted the Gentiles to be circumcised according to Moses and to observe the law. That was rejected by the council. As these things are true, there must be a reason for the circumcision of Timothy. And sure enough, that reason is given in the next words, “because of the Jews who were in that region.”
 
The Jews were opposed to Paul every step of the way. Timothy being uncircumcised would only exacerbate the problems Paul faced. Timothy, and in turn Paul and those with him, would be faced with more strife and hostility than would otherwise arise because of the enmity of the Jews. The precept follows with Timothy as it was stated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 9 –
 
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
 
Paul’s thoughts concerning the circumcision of Timothy while leaving Titus and all other Gentiles uncircumcised came down to the issue of Timothy’s maternal heritage, being a Jewess. This would mean nothing in and of itself “for they all knew that his father was Greek.”
 
Timothy was not circumcised because of this. His father was a Gentile and Timothy was raised without being circumcised. And yet, he was raised knowing the Scriptures, customs, and ways of the Jews. Paul’s modus operandi was to always go to the synagogue of the Jews first. This would not have been possible for Timothy, and indeed the entire cohort, if Timothy was uncircumcised.
 
The whole thought comes down to, “What is the most productive way of evangelizing the people we meet?” As Charles Ellicott rightly says, “The act was spontaneous, and men may rightly concede as a favour, or as a matter of expediency, what they would be justified in resisting when demanded as a matter of necessity.”
 
Timothy’s Jewish mother offered him an exceptional chance to be a participant in the evangelization of the Jews. But without circumcision, that could never occur. On the other hand, Paul completely resisted the circumcision of Titus because there would be no benefit for him, for Paul, for the sake of the Jews, and most importantly, for the preaching of the gospel. In fact, it would negate the gospel. Such is not the case with Timothy. There was nothing of harm and everything to be gained from this performing expedient measure upon him.
 
Life application: The key point of what is seen in this verse is the furtherance of the gospel. Even today, there are males born to Jewish mothers that have not been circumcised. They have a right to perform aliyah, moving to Israel, because of their maternal heritage, but if they were not circumcised, this would be a problem.
 
The same would be true with that person being a believer in Christ and wanting to evangelize the Jews. This is his burning desire, but if he were not circumcised, it would immediately put up an almost impenetrable wall between him and the Jews he talked to. And so, without ever considering law observance, being circumcised would be the natural course of action to take in order to meet the Jews he was evangelizing on their own level.
 
The fact is that Timothy was saved already. He had not observed the law. He was admitted into the fellowship of believers. He surely participated in the Lord’s Supper. He was probably baptized upon belief (though this is not stated, it can be inferred). Therefore, his uncircumcised state has nothing (zero, zip, nada) to do with his salvation or continued salvation. That alone tells us all we need to know.
 
Now that he is going out into the mission field with Paul, an expedient measure is taken to help with their evangelistic efforts. It is this, and for no other reason, that Timothy is now being circumcised. Don’t be led astray by people who use this verse (and they are out there) to “prove” you must be circumcised in order to be saved. Timothy was already saved. Nothing can be added to the fully efficacious work of Jesus Christ in making that happen – not in him and not in you.
 
Heavenly Father, may we think clearly and rationally about our state in Christ. May we never attempt to “add” to our justification through our own works. Help us to stand on the purity of the gospel that we are saved by grace through faith in the finished, final, full, and forever work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts 16:2

Thursday, 13 April 2023
 
He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Acts 16:2
 
In the previous verse, Paul had arrived at the area of Derbe and Lystra. Upon his arrival, the words introduced Timothy. Of him, it next says, “He was well spoken of.”
 
This is referring to Timothy, the main subject of the previous verse, not of his father who was mentioned in reference to him, just as his mother also was. The word translated as “well spoken of,” martureó, simply means “witnessed to” or “testified of.” The idea of the witness of him being positive is understood from the context.
 
This positive testimony concerning him was “by the brethren.” This is something Paul will later note is required of those who serve as elders and deacons when he writes his first epistle to Timothy. For example, of deacons it says, “But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless” (1 Timothy 3:10).
 
During the time of Paul’s absence from this area, Timothy had earned a positive reputation within the church. But his reputation went beyond just his own local gathering. Luke records that Timothy was positively spoken of by those “who were at Lystra and Iconium.”
 
Nothing is said about how this came about, but there are possibilities to consider. Timothy might have had work that took him between Lystra and Iconium. If so, he might have faithfully attended whichever church he was nearest to when they gathered.
 
It may also be that when questions arose within the church in one area, they may have sent to the other area to say, “What about this issue from Ruth chapter 3? What do you think this is telling us?”
 
In such a scenario, Timothy may have considered the matter, spoken to the church, and was then sent off by them to the other church to give his reading on the matter. This is not speculation without support. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3 –
 
“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.” 2 Timothy 3: 14, 15
 
Timothy’s great understanding of the Scriptures may have made him a sought-out commodity in these churches as they continued to grow in the faith. Whatever the reason for the positive witness concerning him, it is obvious that Paul immediately was drawn to him in a bond that would grow from this time forward.
 
Life application: Timothy was well-versed in Scripture even from childhood. Because of this, he was well-grounded in his life and conduct. Scripture can have a wonderfully positive effect on us if we are just willing to read it and apply its lessons to our lives. This is true even with verses that are filled with judgment and doom, such as –
 
 “As the thief is ashamed when he is found out,So is the house of Israel ashamed;They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets,27 Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’And to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face.But in the time of their troubleThey will say, ‘Arise and save us.’28 But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves?Let them arise,If they can save you in the time of your trouble;For according to the number of your citiesAre your gods, O Judah.29 Why will you plead with Me?You all have transgressed against Me, says the Lord.30 In vain I have chastened your children;They received no correction.Your sword has devoured your prophetsLike a destroying lion.” Jeremiah 2:26-30
 
In reading passages like this, along with its surrounding words of judgment, too many people conclude that the God of the Old Testament is an angry, judgmental God. But this is not the case. In understanding the entire context of the history of Israel, including their covenant relationship with the Lord, they will see that it is Israel, not the Lord, who is at fault. The wrath and punishment are meted out because they have violated the relationship between the two.
 
But understanding such things necessitates knowing all that Scripture says. From the broader view, the goodness of God, His covenant faithfulness, His holy nature, etc., are seen. This is how God is. The negative aspects of the relationship between the Lord and Israel are self-inflicted wounds on their part, just as getting a spanking or being grounded is a self-inflicted wound to an unruly, disobedient child.
 
Timothy could see this because his life was centered on Scripture since his youth. It is not too late for you to learn such things now. No matter how old you are, you can learn Scripture quickly if you just apply yourself. Audio Bibles can fill your time when you are too tired to read. You have YouTube and a multitude of other ways to access answers that may arise in your studies.
 
If you are trying to save money on a broken washing machine, you will go to YouTube and find a link that will show you how to repair the part you need to fix. If you can do this for a washing machine, you certainly can find an answer to something much more important that you don’t understand from the book of Jeremiah.
 
Don’t waste your life on vapor! Spend your time in the word. Read it, think about it, contemplate its lessons, and search for answers that arise. Which will it be today – a football game or time in the word? The choice is yours. Where do your priorities lie?
 
Lord God, help us to rightly align our priorities to those things that will be pleasing to You, that will edify us in Your word, and that will have eternal reward. May we not fritter our lives away on that which is just smoke and vapor. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Acts 16:1

Wednesday, 12 April 2023
 
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. Acts 16:1
 
Acts 15 ended with a note that Paul went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Though he was accompanied by Silas, the verse spoke only of Paul. Chapter 16 begins with the singular as well, saying, “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra.”
 
Notably, the record of the journey of Barnabas and John is omitted by Luke. With the decision of the council established concerning Gentiles, the focus has turned to Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. As for this location, it is the area where Paul and Barnabas had fled in Acts 14:6 after having been chased out of Iconium. This is the area Paul referred to in Acts 15:36 –
 
“Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.’”
 
Instead of Barnabas, it is Silas who is with him. While in this area that Paul had previously evangelized, it next says, “And behold, a certain disciple was there.” The wording does not indicate whether Timothy was in Lystra or Derbe. However, Lystra is the nearest antecedent, and it is named again in relation to Timothy in the next verse and in 2 Timothy 3 –
 
“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.” 2 Timothy 3:11, 12
 
Being a disciple means that he was probably converted by Paul on his previous missionary trip or that someone who was converted had later spoken to him about Jesus. Paul will call him a “son in the faith” or a “faithful son” in his epistles which may be an indication that Paul was a father to him through conversion.
 
In Philemon, Paul will say, “my son Onesimus, who I have begotten while in my chains,” when referring to Onesimus’ conversion. Therefore, it is possible that Timothy was one of the converts of Paul and Barnabas. Whatever the case, he is now referred to for the first time in Scripture with the words, “named Timothy.”
 
The name comes from the Greek words timé, price or honor, and theos, God. Thus, the name means something like (passively) Honored of God or (actively) Honoring of God. Other similar variations are given such as Dear of God, etc. Of him, it next says, “the son of a certain Jewish woman.”
 
This will be an important distinction that Paul will deal with in just two more verses. For now, it says of his mother that she was one “who believed.”
 
The meaning is certainly that she was a believer in Christ. Nothing indicates how this came about, but being around of Derbe and Lystra, it is likely that the message carried by Paul and Barnabas had made it to her ears either directly or indirectly. This faith is referred to by Paul in his first letter to Timothy –
 
“I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 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.” 1 Timothy 1:3-5
 
Noting that his mother is a Jew is important because it next says, “but his father was Greek.” Nothing is said of the father’s connection to either Judaism or Christianity. If such a connection existed, Luke would have noted it as he meticulously tends to highlight such things. Despite this, the faith of his grandmother and his mother was strong and that was instilled in Timothy either for his conversion or as an example to him to remain strong after his conversion.
 
Life application: There are faithful women noted in Scripture that were set as examples to their households. One of them is Abigail, the wife of Nabal. While he was an uncaring drunk, she saved him and his household from being killed by David through her faithful deeds, eventually becoming the wife of David after the death of Nabal. Likewise, Proverbs 31 describes the conscientious conduct of the woman of faith, describing someone Solomon was intimately aware of.
 
Faithful women such as Mary and Tabitha are noted in Luke’s writings. Though the history of Scripture predominantly is centered on men, women are carefully noted throughout its pages as well. Paul highlights the importance of women in an obvious way in his writings –
 
“For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.” 1 Corinthians 11:8-12
 
God is revealing the history of the redemption of humanity through the pages of the Bible. As the man is the head of the house, the focus is naturally on the line of man throughout its pages. But within the greater story, we are reminded that women play an integral role in this process. Women should not be upset that certain restrictions are placed upon them in the church. They are created differently, and limitations are set because of these differences. And yet, there is an honor upon women that cannot be denied. Any noted figure in the church, even the humanity of Jesus, came through the woman.
 
When the biblical model is adhered to, things will work properly, and proper respect will be granted. Let us remember this and adhere to the order which God has ordained according to His wisdom.
 
Lord God, thank You for the differences that exist between men and women. Together, we form a unit that is ordained by You that is lacking when it is not properly adhered to. Help us to follow the guidelines set down by You so that we will not err in our lives as we live in Your presence. Amen.
 

Acts 15:41

Tuesday, 11 April 2023
 
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:41
 
The previous verse noted Paul’s choosing of Silas to join him on his second missionary trip. Upon their departure, they were “commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.” Now, that continues with, “And he went through Syria and Cilicia.”
 
The singular shows that the journey is currently conducted by Paul while Silas is merely there as an assistant. This is probably like Acts 13:5 where John was noted as their helper. This will continue in Chapter 16, noting Paul as the main subject. At times, it will say “Paul and his companions.” However, Silas will begin to take on a more prominent role, being noted alongside Paul, while in Philippi.
 
As for the region they are going through, Syria and Cilicia, those are, along with Antioch, the areas noted in the letter from the council earlier in this chapter –
 
“The apostles and elders, your brothers,To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:Greetings.” Acts 15:23
 
As these areas are not where Paul and Barnabas had gone on their first missionary journey, and yet they are areas that had churches as evidenced by the letter and the travels of Paul now, it is probable that these churches were either established during the dispersion of the Jews at some unrecorded point or, more likely, by Paul.
 
If by Paul, it may be during the time when he had left Jerusalem after visiting the apostles as is recorded in Acts 9:26. In Acts 9:30, Paul returned to Tarsus which is in Cilicia. It was quite a bit later when Barnabas went to bring him to Antioch as is recorded in Acts 11:25. Therefore, during that period, Paul may have gone to the synagogues in the surrounding areas and spoke about Jesus, establishing churches that included Gentiles.
 
This can be assumed because of the council’s letter which specifically addresses the Gentiles in those churches. It is evident that Judaizers had gone to those churches and countered the true gospel they had at first received.
 
Therefore, with Silas as a representative of those in Jerusalem, it was a wise time to personally go to those churches and spread the truth of the matter that had been resolved. Salvation is by grace through faith and law observance has no part in one’s standing before Christ. It is this message they carried, “strengthening the churches.”
 
In other words, the churches had certainly been put into a quandary when the Judaizers had shown up and started teaching their false gospel of works of the law in order to be saved. Now, to shore them up and strengthen them, Paul had determined to bring them the true gospel once again, establishing that word with the authority and backing of those in Jerusalem.
 
Life application: Acts 15 has now come to an end. The main message of this chapter is not unlike the overall substance of the book of Galatians. But it is a message that permeates both Paul’s writings and the rest of Scripture as well. It is that man under law is at enmity with God but in the coming of Jesus Christ, there is grace.
 
From the first verse of the chapter to the last, this is the preeminent theme –
 
“Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’” Acts 15:1
 
“Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:10, 11 (Peter’s final recorded words in Acts)
 
Acts 15:23-29 provide the decision of the council, excluding any hint of law observance.
 
He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:41
 
Interspersed throughout these select verses is the constant theme that salvation is by grace through faith and that works of the law are excluded from the process of salvation. Stand fast on this precept and stay away from any teacher, church, or denomination that imposes some type of works as a needful requirement to be pleasing to God. Rather, God is pleased with faith in the works of His Son –
 
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:28, 29
 
O God, how grateful we are for Your grace. Thank You for Jesus Christ who has made it possible for us to receive it by faith. Help us to never add to the purity of the gospel. May our deeds be deeds of faith because of who we are in Christ. Amen.
 

Acts 15:40

Monday, 10 April 2023
 
but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. Acts 15:40
 
The great dispute that led to the parting of Paul and Barnabas came about in the previous verse. Because of it, Barnabas and Mark sailed to Cyprus. Continuing that thought, it next says, “but Paul chose Silas and departed.”
 
Here, Silas is reintroduced into the narrative. The dispute over whether verse 15:34 is authentic or not was discussed at that time. It could be that he stayed in Antioch all along, or it could be that he returned with Judas to Jerusalem and came back to Antioch later. Regardless of that matter, he was approved by Paul for his conduct and reliability and so Paul chose him to accompany him on his second missionary journey. In their departure, it next says, “being commended by the brethren.”
 
This is a blessing bestowed upon them as they headed out. The congregation met, prayed over them, and commended them to the task set before them. Because of what is said here, many scholars take the incredible stand that this means they took Paul’s side in the dispute that had arisen between him and Barnabas. That is an argument from silence, and it ignores the fact that the narrative is focused on the ministry of Paul.
 
For all we know, the church could have had a party with balloons, falafel, and herbal tea for Barnabas and John Mark. After that, they could have heaped blessings upon them and sent them off with a ten-piece band playing the 126th Psalm. The point is that the contents of Acts is highlighting the ministry of Paul now, just as it had highlighted Peter from Acts 1-12.
 
There is a transition from Jew to Gentile taking place. Paul is the one to effect that transition as it occurs, being the apostle to the Gentiles. Barnabas was mentioned because he was relevant to the account in relation to Peter and then to Paul. Now that he is not connected to Paul any longer, there is no need to focus on what has happened to him. As for Paul and Silas, they were commended by those at Antioch “to the grace of God.”
 
It is of note that some Greek texts say, “to the grace of the Lord.” As Jesus is God, and as God bestows His grace through the Lord, the change in texts does not change the significance of what is said. The blessing upon them is given and they will depart to carry on the work set before them.
 
Life application: It is fine to speculate on matters such as the blessing of the church upon Paul and Silas, but it is not appropriate to take sides where the Bible does not do so. As noted, that is an argument from silence, a fallacy. A fallacy is a belief that is mistaken because it is based on an unsound argument. There is a failure to properly reason out what is taking place. When a conclusion is made, the argument is rendered invalid because of this error in thinking.
 
There is an almost innumerable list of fallacies used by people. Take time to brush up on them and then try to avoid such errors in your words. This is important because once a fallacy is introduced, the rest of the argument has no further standing on that particular point. And it may be that particular point that the entire argument stands or falls on.
 
Lord God, help us to be reasonable in our thinking, discerning in how we present our thoughts and logical in evaluating arguments that arise. May this especially be so when we consider Your word. Help us not to insert fallacies into our perceptions about what You are telling us. Instead, give us wisdom to think things through in a right and clear manner. Amen.

Acts 15:39

Sunday, 9 April 2023
 
Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; Acts 15:39
 
The previous verse revealed Paul’s insistence that John Mark should not be taken along with him and Barnabas on the next missionary journey. With that, it now notes, “Then the contention became so sharp.”
 
The word translated as contention is paroxusmos. This is the first of two times it will be seen in Scripture. It signifies a paroxysm; a provocation that literally jabs someone to the point where he is forced to respond. Words such as provoke, incite, and so on will give the active sense of the matter. The other use of the word is in Hebrews 10:24 where it is used in a positive sense where believers are implored to motivate one another toward love and good works.
 
As for Paul and Barnabas, one would say something that cut so deeply the other couldn’t let it go and responded with his own cutting words. It is the type of argument that leads to words that may never be forgiven and wounds that may never heal. Because of this, it says “that they parted from one another.”
 
Of this, Matthew Poole dubiously equates this to the parting of Abraham and Lot as is recorded in Genesis 13, claiming they kept the unity of the Spirit. The words now do not bear this out. Their fellowship was torn apart, and the Spirit would have to deal with them individually as they proceeded in their own directions. Because of this, it next says, “And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.”
 
Barnabas was from Cyprus (Acts 4:36) and it is where he and Paul set forth on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:4). Thus, it is the natural direction that he should go to have the most impact on his next missionary travels. Taking along John Mark shows Barnabas’ ability to overlook whatever Paul perceived as a permanent factor of disqualification.
This is the last time that Barnabas is mentioned in Acts. The record Luke lays down from this point on, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, is directed to the ministry of Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. Any further record of future impact that Barnabas may have had on the church is left to secular history. In Scripture, he will be directly mentioned two more times. The first is in 1 Corinthians 9 –
 
“My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?” 1 Corinthians 9:3-7
 
He will also be mentioned again in Galatians where Paul notes that he was led astray, just as Peter was, by the Judaizer who came to Antioch. That is an event that probably occurred during the events of Acts 15, although some see it as having occurred during Acts 18, something less likely. Of the events now taking place, John Gill says –
 
“...thus as soon almost as peace was made in the church, a difference arises among the ministers of the word, who are men of like passions with others; and though it is not easy to say which was to blame most in this contention; perhaps there were faults on both sides, for the best men are not without their failings; yet this affair was overruled by the providence of God, for the spread of his Gospel, and the enlargement of his interest; for when these two great and good men parted from one another, they went to different places, preaching the word of God.”
 
Life application: Regardless as to whether Paul and Barnabas ever reconciled again or not, the Spirit inspired Luke to record the events in Acts for us to consider what occurred. There was a sharp dispute between two men who had expended themselves for the gospel and who would continue to do so.
 
This is a fallen world. We all have limitations and buttons are bound to get pushed. When they are, our response may set us at odds with one another, even to the point of never fellowshipping together again. And yet, Paul does not later hint at the events that occurred or claim that Barnabas is not to be trusted. Rather, his comments in 1 Corinthians 9 (noted above) indicate that Barnabas was a trustworthy, selfless worker for the Lord.
 
Somehow, those in Corinth will hear about Barnabas even if there is no record of him traveling there in Acts. This means that Paul probably spoke well of him to the Corinthians, describing the person he had traveled with on his first missionary journey. In other words, just because they could not agree on working together any longer, Paul continued to speak highly about Barnabas. Let us consider doing this as well should we divide from another over some difference in opinion.
 
Heavenly Father, we are limited beings. We don’t have all the information, we only have so much power and stamina, we may get riled up or offended by events that occur, etc. Because of this, differences are bound to arise between us. When such times come, give us wisdom and discernment in how to handle such things. May we not spitefully hurt others simply because we can. Help us in this, O God. Amen.