Acts 16:3
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Original Language Analysis
ἠθέλησεν
would
G2309
ἠθέλησεν
would
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
2 of 29
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 29
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
5 of 29
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περιέτεμεν
and circumcised
G4059
περιέτεμεν
and circumcised
Strong's:
G4059
Word #:
10 of 29
to cut around, i.e., (specially) to circumcise
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
διὰ
because
G1223
διὰ
because
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
12 of 29
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τόποις
quarters
G5117
τόποις
quarters
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
19 of 29
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
ἐκείνοις·
those
G1565
ἐκείνοις·
those
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
20 of 29
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ᾔδεισαν
they knew
G1492
ᾔδεισαν
they knew
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
21 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
22 of 29
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὲρα
father
G3962
πατὲρα
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
25 of 29
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
27 of 29
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
Galatians 2:3But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:1 Corinthians 9:20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;Galatians 5:6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Historical Context
Timothy's mixed heritage (Jewish mother, Greek father) created ambiguity in Jewish eyes. His circumcision wasn't for salvation but for cultural credibility in Jewish ministry - 'becoming all things to all men' (1 Corinthians 9:20-22) in action.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between gospel compromise and wise cultural adaptation?
- What does this teach about removing unnecessary obstacles to others' hearing the gospel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Paul's circumcision of Timothy 'because of the Jews which were in those quarters' demonstrates missionary adaptation without gospel compromise. Though Paul opposed requiring Gentile circumcision (Acts 15), Timothy's Jewish mother made him ethnically Jewish. Circumcising him removed unnecessary offense to Jewish evangelism while maintaining that circumcision doesn't save.