Why did Paul circumcised Timothy ?

[Mr. M]

On 1/21/2023 at 9:20 AM, other one said:

I would think so that he could better preach to the Jews and be more effective where they were going.

Acts 16:3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him

because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.

[Mr. M]

On 1/21/2023 at 8:41 PM, AnOrangeCat said:

The exact context I mentioned in my post. Some people back at the time were teaching that circumcision was required for salvation.

Genesis 17:13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised,

and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 

There is a covenant of flesh, and a covenant of Spirit. One pertains to the land of promise;

the other the promise of the Holy Spirit, and salvation by faith.

The Old Covenant has not been abolished. In Hebrews, what had become old and fading

was the Levitical law of sacrifice to maintain the sanctity of the Land of Promise.

The heavenly priesthood now exists for righteousness and eternal salvation.

The failure to make this distinction is the source of perpetual error, of which you 

are perpetuating by not discerning this distinction.

"That which is born of flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Truly I assure you, you must be born again."

[R. Hartono]

26 minutes ago, Rosie1jack2pauline3 said:

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What can we learn from what the Bible says about Paul and Timothy?

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ANSWER

Timothy was a young man who began traveling with Paul and Silas when they visited Lystra during the second missionary journey (Acts 16:1). Timothy’s mother was Jewish, but his father was Greek, so he had not been circumcised even though he had been raised him to know and honor God (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy’s commitment to the Lord was so strong that he allowed himself to be circumcised in order not to offend the religious Jews they would encounter (Acts 16:3). The relationship between Paul and Timothy grew to the extent that Paul referred to his young protégé as “my son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 2 Timothy 1:2).

The relationship between Paul and Timothy is a great example of Christian mentoring. Both Timothy and Paul had to have the right attitudes for such a mentoring relationship to succeed. Timothy had to be humble and teachable. It must have taken a great deal of faith and commitment on his part to submit to circumcision. He was free in Christ. Circumcision was not necessary to have a right relationship with God (Galatians 5:6; 6:15). Yet Timothy allowed himself to be circumcised so that he could be a more effective witness for Christ. He exemplified Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

Paul’s role in the mentoring process was to exercise patience as young Timothy grew in wisdom and faith. He spent much time teaching him and even addressed two books of the New Testament to Timothy, who was by then pastoring the church at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). Paul included Timothy in the joys as well as the difficulties of missionary life (Hebrews 13:23) while encouraging him not to allow others to disregard him because of his comparative youth (1 Timothy 4:12). Paul exhorted Timothy often to guard the truth that he had been entrusted with and take care not to lose his passion for ministry (1 Timothy 1:18; 4:14; 6:20).

Timothy proved to be so trustworthy that Paul sent him as a representative to the churches he was concerned about (1 Thessalonians 3:2; Philippians 2:19). Timothy became Paul’s stand-in and also brought Paul news of the churches when Paul was in prison (1 Thessalonians 3:6). Paul included Timothy as an equal partner in his addresses to the churches. His salutations in several epistles began with wording such as “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:1; cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1:1).

We learn from Paul and Timothy the importance of older men discipling younger men. Timothy became a pillar in the early church due to Paul’s investment in his life when he was still young. Paul did not shelter his young disciple from the realities of ministry, knowing that learning to suffer well was part of Timothy’s preparation (2 Timothy 2:3; 4:5). For his part, Timothy received instruction and did not shy away from the unpleasant parts of true discipleship. Because of their strong relationship, both men benefited, and the gospel spread. In the story of Paul and Timothy, we learn that discipleship is standing shoulder to shoulder in the work of the kingdom, iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17), encouraging, rebuking when necessary, and sharing a common burden for a lost world (2 Timothyhypocrites hypocriteshypocrites s

Thats why God allowed destruction of the hypocrites and the temple at 70 AD because they only circumcised their skin instead of their heart. And Paul did not rebuke them but instead seeking to please their face by trimming Timothy.

@Mr. M

[Mr. M]

13 minutes ago, R. Hartono said:

Thats why God allowed destruction of the hypocrites and the temple at 70 AD because they only circumcised their skin instead of their heart. And Paul did not rebuke them but instead seeking to please their face by trimming Timothy.

@Mr. M

You continue to find fault with Paul, about something that has been poorly understood and divisive

since the founding of the church. What is your intent, to undermine his ministry? Is that our place?

Have you suffered for the sake of the Gospel as Paul? I would submit that it would have been better

for Paul to have repented and died on the Damascus road and follow Steven and James, brother of John

on the path of martyrdom then to have endured his sufferings for the sake of the Gospel, and you and me.

Has it occurred to you that Paul's actions may have been motivated to spare his young disciple of the same

harsh treatment before he was ready to endure? There is absolutely nothing to suggest that his actions

pertained to Timothy's salvation, but to shield him from the Jews who were publicly assaulting Paul.

It was a small matter to him, and yet a big deal to you. Maybe get over it and move on.

[Mr. M]

On 1/21/2023 at 2:49 PM, R. Hartono said:

What context ? 

Circumcision did not and never make mankind holy.

It would seem that you have answered our own question. 

Paul's motive with regards to Timothy is clearly stated. NOT

to make him holy or righteous, but to shield him from persecution

when he was only a young man. Foreskin was a small matter in his

eyes. When you get the plank out of your own, you will see this clearly.

[Mr. M]

34 minutes ago, R. Hartono said:

Thats why God allowed destruction of the hypocrites and the temple at 70 AD because they only circumcised their skin instead of their heart. And Paul did not rebuke them but instead seeking to please their face by trimming Timothy.

@Mr. M

He did rebuke them. In every major city he traveled to, he ministered to his fellow Jews

first in every synagogue, such as in Corinth.

Acts 18:

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit,

and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 

6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, 

“Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

[R. Hartono]

9 hours ago, Mr. M said:

 

Paul's motive with regards to Timothy is clearly stated. NOT to make him holy or righteous, but to shield him from persecution

when he was only a young man. Foreskin was a small matter in his

Apostles declared that circumcision was not required for salvation, why try to hide this truth for fear of persecution.

[R. Hartono]

9 hours ago, Mr. M said:

You continue to find fault with Paul, about something that has been poorly understood and divisive

since the founding of the church. What is your intent, to undermine his ministry? Is that our place?

Have you suffered for the sake of the Gospel as Paul? I would submit that it would have been better

for Paul to have repented and died on the Damascus road and follow Steven and James, brother of John

on the path of martyrdom then to have endured his sufferings for the sake of the Gospel, and you and me.

Has it occurred to you that Paul's actions may have been motivated to spare his young disciple of the same

harsh treatment before he was ready to endure? There is absolutely nothing to suggest that his actions

pertained to Timothy's salvation, but to shield him from the Jews who were publicly assaulting Paul.

It was a small matter to him, and yet a big deal to you. Maybe get over it and move on.

I never undermined Paul.

[Mr. M]

Just now, R. Hartono said:

Apostles declared that circumcision was not required for salvation, why try to hide this truth for fear of persecution.

They never opposed Jewish circumcision. Paul's teaching was directed to Gentiles.

Jews continued to practice circumcision, not for salvation, but because they were Jews.

[Mr. M]

1 minute ago, R. Hartono said:

I never undermined Paul.

Then what is your intent in making such a big deal about circumcising Timothy, 

when all Jews would have considered him a Jew. Paul's decision and motive is 

his own, no one can speak for him. Your entire thread is speculation. Ask the Holy

Spirit, He will answer if it is relevant, and if He doesn't, you can decide  your next step.

Just don't consult me. No comment. No moleste. No mas.