Gray Area?
In the previous chapter, Paul and Barnabas had traveled to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles about the circumcision of the non Jewish believers. They agreed that the non Jewish believers should not have to be circumcised. But in the very next chapter, Timothy, who is only half Jewish on his mother’s side,is being circumcised by Paul. Wait a second… Paul defended that non-Jewish believers don’t have to be circumcised and Timothy is only half Jewish. Isn’t this a little bit of a gray area and a little a window for Timothy to get out of being circumcised? Timothy is a young man now. Why wasn’t he circumcised when he was a baby? Why must he be circumcised now? I believe the answer is found in Acts 16:3 Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him, but all the people living in that area knew that Timothy’s father was Greek. So Paul circumcised Timothy to please his mother’s people.
Timothy is now a leader and to be above reproach and as to not stumble anyone he submits to circumcision. Talk about no pain no gain! How convicting!
Lord, forgive me for the gray areas of my life where I choose to do what’s best for me rather than looking at how it will affect others.
Created over 2 years ago
