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Acts 16:1-15
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 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 a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
When the people came to Antioch telling the new converts there that they had to be circumcised, Barnabas and Paul stood fast. The issue had not been settled, but until it was settled – and required – they would not enforce that requirement. But now that decision has been made and the news delivered to the Gentile believers. There was to be no requirement for circumcision. So why does Paul circumcise Timothy?
Luke tells us that it was because everyone knew his father was Greek, Paul chose to circumcise him. But I’m not sure that actually answers the question. He does not tell us that his mother was Jewish, but that is very likely the case as Paul alludes to in 2 Timothy 1:5. In that case, Timothy would be considered a Jew according to Jewish law. There could be fault to find in Timothy if he as a Jew was not circumcised. Paul is avoiding potential stumbling blocks to the gospel message.
When we lived in Utah, I made it a point to order coffee at the Chamber of Commerce meetings. It was my witness to the freedom I had – as opposed to the requirements of the Mormons to hold to the Words of Wisdom which forbade drinking caffeinated beverages. But I didn’t mock their religion. I didn’t want to destroy every potential opportunity to witness to those folks.
We all make decisions about what we wear, eat, drink, and do for entertainment. Issues and health concerns inform many of those decisions. It might have been more healthy to abstain from caffeine, and perhaps I should have done so. I made my point – I was free to drink coffee. But there are times when my freedom should be sacrificed in order to avoid offending others.
This was one of those cases. Paul didn’t want to offend the Jewish believers by partnering with an uncircumcised Jew (Timothy). This was not the time to make a point about the freedom of the Gospel. On another occasion, however, Paul refused to circumcise Titus (a Greek). And on another occasion Paul opposed Peter to his face because he was so committed to the freedom we have in our faith in Christ. Both of these incidents are recorded by Paul in Galatians 2:3-14.
What if we made more of an effort to make our choices each day based on how it might impact or impede our Christian witness. I’m thinking of the way we drive, the public political stances we take, the entertainment we seek, our choices on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. There are times to hold fast and times to bend, and the decision to do either should be made based on how it adorns our confession of Jesus as Lord and Savior.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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