all things to all people.

Interestingly, just a few chapters back Paul had been in Jerusalem with the apostles and elders seeking their guidance on whether or not new Gentile believers should be circumcised. Peter answers Paul's question with a wonderful sermon explaining that circumcision is under the law and they have been freed from the law because of the grace of God. Peter reminds the apostles and elders that it is not about following the law perfectly; we can’t follow the law perfectly - that is why we need a Savior. Our Savior saved us through His grace and it is by faith that we are made clean. In light of Peter's address it was decreed that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised to be saved.

Paul's request to Timothy was not a matter of following the law in order to attain salvation, but was about Timothy not being a stumbling block to the Jews he and Paul would be ministering to (Romans 14). Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:12 that he would put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. He goes on to say in verses 20-23: To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Although circumcision was a huge request to ask of Timothy, Paul wanted Timothy to also be all things to all people in order to further the gospel . . . and Timothy faithfully agreed.

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