Acts 16:1
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Original Language Analysis
Κατήντησεν
came he
G2658
Κατήντησεν
came he
Strong's:
G2658
Word #:
1 of 22
to meet against, i.e., arrive at (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὀνόματι
named
G3686
ὀνόματι
named
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
13 of 22
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
υἱὸς
the son
G5207
υἱὸς
the son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
15 of 22
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
πιστῆς
and believed
G4103
πιστῆς
and believed
Strong's:
G4103
Word #:
19 of 22
objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful
Cross References
2 Timothy 1:5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.Acts 17:14And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.Acts 18:5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.Acts 14:6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:1 Corinthians 4:17For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.1 Timothy 1:2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.1 Thessalonians 3:2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:2 Timothy 1:2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.Acts 19:22So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.Colossians 1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
Historical Context
Written circa AD 60-62, Luke records Paul's second missionary journey (AD 49-52). Lystra, in the Roman province of Galatia (modern Turkey), was a Roman colony populated by indigenous Lycaonians, Greek settlers, and a Jewish minority. Mixed marriages between Jews and Gentiles were common in diaspora communities, though halakhically problematic. Timothy's uncircumcised status suggests his Greek father's influence dominated household religious practice.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Timothy's mixed heritage both complicate and enhance his effectiveness in gospel ministry?
- What does Paul's return to Derbe and Lystra teach about the importance of follow-up discipleship versus only evangelistic outreach?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra—Paul returns to churches planted on his first journey (Acts 14:6-20), demonstrating apostolic care for new converts. A certain disciple... named Timotheus (Τιμόθεος, Timotheos, "honoring God")—Timothy first appears here, though likely converted during Paul's earlier visit (1 Tim 1:2, "my true son in the faith").
The son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed—His mother Eunice and grandmother Lois possessed genuine faith (2 Tim 1:5). Yet his father was a Greek, creating Timothy's unique identity crisis: legally Jewish through matrilineal descent, yet uncircumcised and culturally Greek. This mixed heritage perfectly positioned him for Paul's mission to both Jews and Gentiles, embodying the gospel's transcendence of ethnic barriers while maintaining sensitivity to Jewish concerns (hence his circumcision in v. 3).