1/5/05

 

Chap. 15, verses 36-41- “some days after” this is likely in spring of 50 AD (although a year less or more is possible).  Paul takes the initiative to embark on a second missionary journey [15:41-18:22].

It may be that Paul’s heart was wrapped up in these Gentile converts spread throughout Asia Minor—note I Thess.2:17 and 3:10 for his mindset. 

   Then Luke records the conflict between Paul and Barnabas over taking John Mark with them.  In vs.38, the word “departed  = apostanta (we get ‘apostasy’ from it)—the NIV has ‘deserted’.  The high expectations of Paul and the tendency for compromise by

Barnabas (Gal.2:13) likely affected their behavior.  Barnabas and

Mark go to Cyprus with Paul taking Silas.  As Silas was a Jewish convert from Jerusalem, spoke Greek (15:22,32) and apparently had Roman citizenship (16:37-38), he was a real asset to Paul.  Plus, he had the gift of prophet (15:32).  Verse 41 does not specify which cities were visited, but the effort was to “confirm”=epistaridzon-to strengthen.   Obviously, strengthen against doctrinal and behavioral

decay.

 

Chap.16, verse 1-3- Paul had visited Derbe & Lystra earlier (14:6-19) and now encounters a disciple…named Timothy.  This young man has a spiritual heritage from his mother and grandmother- see

II Tim.1:5.  Further he “was well reported of by the brethren” which would mean that Timothy had consistency and development

in his walk with Christ.

   “took and circumcised him because of the Jews..”  This action by Paul was one of expediency to aid in the outreach to unbelieving Jews.  Timothy’s mother was Jewish, but his father a Greek.  In order for Paul to have this young man as an effective voice for the gospel when ministering in Jewish synagogues, this step of circumcision was necessary and consistent with Paul’s teaching- see I Cor. 7:17-23 and 9:20, 23.   The circumstance with Titus in Gal.2:3 was different and the challenge related to protecting the gospel from alteration.

“As Paul saw it, being a good Christian did not mean being a bad Jew”- Richard

Longenecker in commentary on Acts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chap.16, verse 4-5- “they delivered them the decrees for to keep that were ordained….which were at Jerusalem”-  the verb is imperfect active tense denoting ‘kept on delivering..”

“decrees” =dogmata- the firm precepts drawn up in Ch.15 that would regulate Jewish and Gentile relations.  Here we see the circulating nature of apostolic epistles.    “established in the faith”- the word is

estereounto (we get ‘stereo’)- to make firm or solid.

  “increased in number daily”- evangelism was a daily practice!

Similar to this summary statement is 6:7, 9:31, 12:24.

 

Chap. 16, verse 6-8- we are told a direction that is given by the Holy Spirit related to their journey—the difficulty lies in just how exact are these names: “Phrygia…region of Galatia  ….Asia… Mysia …Bithynia”.  Are they more geographical or political in identity?

It would appear that Galatia is the broadest term, describing what we now call Asia Minor, with Phrygia being the northern region of that.

Asia is applied to the western most portion, along the Aegean Sea.

Mysia is the most northwestern edge of Asia and Bithynia is a region on the edge of the Black Sea.  Troas is a seaport on the NW edge of

Asia Minor.  It has the appearance that Paul and Silas attempted to go

directly west toward the cities of Ephesus, Sardis, Smyrna, etc. but were stopped and then attempted to go north before receiving a vision that their direction of effort was to be west into Macedonia.

   What we might surmise is the immediate need of the gospel in

northern Greece where hearts have been prepared for the gospel-

see 16:14, 17:4, 11, and then into Athens- 17:16 and on to Corinth-

18:1-11.