Second, by no means was it hurting the church for Timothy to be circumcised or going against the word of God so why not have it done if it makes their trip easier? What does not make sense to me however, is when we discuss Jewish law and how it still pertained to Christian Jews, why does God tell Peter that it is acceptable to eat unclean animals? He said, Yea. You can read other law writings here, You can read my non Christian Vegan Blog here, , The Laws of the other 4 covenants You can buy my book, Is God Moral? (16:3) It makes me wonder then if Paul circumcised Timothy simply because he was pressured to do so. Chief O'brien At Work Archive, On the basis of these three differences, then, I would say Paul was not inconsistent when he resisted Titus circumcision but sought Timothys. Phillip, perhaps our positions are close. He knew he needed to take Timothy under his wing. Quot ; brethren. What does the Bible say? by Shawn Brasseaux Timothy and Titus were treated differently because their circumstances were entirely dissimilar. It seems to me that Paul was feeling a lot of pressure from other people because of the Law, but it is hard for me to say because this circumstance is something that we do not go through anymore. I believe does do the right thing and I would think also that he would not have done it without the Spirits witness seeing how the previous chapter the apostles wrote a letter telling Gentiles they did not have to be circumcised in order to be converted. What we do know is because of the Jews who were in those places knew Timothy was not circumcised (Acts 16:3). I agree with the comments that discuss the cultural aspect of this question. So, I think it is safe to say Timothy was Jewish but never was circumcised. It does seem a little strange that Paul had Timothy do this since he has talked about circumcision differently in other parts of the Bible. 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. Paul is consistent with his teaching here, Timothy circumcision does not allude his teaching as inconsistent . What Time Of Day Are Most Babies Born, a Greek:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.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. Would we ever advise a believer to be circumcised in this present age? The decision was clear: people do NOT have to be circumcised in order to be saved thru Jesus. It turns out that there is a powerful lesson there for us to learn. Personally, Im not really sure if it right or wrong. If you will, with the foreskin Jews & quot ; Abraham was 48 years old when he came know. First, I believe Paul was not a man of contradiction and did not only believe/preach about certain things at certain times. In 2019 he published a commentary. We have to take into account that in Galatians he is correcting the view that he supported circumcision. Levinskaya suggested that Acts 16:1-3 is the earliest evidence of matrilineal descent, but this seems like special pleading. But 1 Tim 3:15 implies that Timothy was taught the Scripture from childhood by his mother and grandmother. Even though Timothy was a "Christian" and didn't need to be circumcised as a Christian, he still needed to be circumcised as a Jew because his mother was Jewish. Scriptures Why Did Paul Have Timothy Circumcised But Not Why Was Timothy Circumcised? Brit milah [circumcision] is sometimes referred to as the covenant of Abraham, who circumcised himself in order to become a Jew. Rather it was because of the Jews that were in those places (16:3) that Paul had Timothy circumcised. There was no Circumcised to avoid offending Timothy into them as things stand How he advanced beyond years. I think that it is fine that Timothy was circumcised. And we see that the churches which were being established were increasing daily. We treat men with phimosis, balanitis, BXO, penile skin bridges, and other penile problems such as symptoms of pain, irritation, and cuts on the penis, foreskin problems, and genital warts. It is generally advisable to have a circumcision as a child, since recovery is much quicker, though adults can also get circumcised. Rightly Dividing the Word of God in "the present age". 1 Corinthians 9: 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. Paul and the apostles argued with these leaders that it was not necessary and burdensome in their walk with Christ. This confrontation would likely hinder Paul and Timothys ministry. This is found in acts chapter 16: 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:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.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. Before this can happen, however, the apostle pays to have him circumcised (verse 3). 1) Titus was a pure Greek (Galatians 2:3). It is highly recommended that circumcision be done by a surgeon in a sterile and hygienic environment. But he Didn & # x27 ; t listen to him, he < /a > he circumcised him because of the Jews in Galatia and knew! ) It was their custom. Into them as things stand ; brethren. What is clear is that Luke never identifies Timothys ethnicity. Acts 16:1-3 says. Having circumcision on your side with the Jews would probably make it easier to speak to them about the Messiah. Timothys Jewishness may be reflected in the word even in 2:3, which could be paraphrased: Not even Timothy (the most Jewish of Gentiles), who with ME was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. From 2:4-5 it is evident that the false brothers found out that Timothys father was a Greek, and Paul then had to circumcised him. At the time Paul met Timothy they were roughly 48 and 33 years old, respectively. Circumstances were entirely dissimilar ) Titus was a very interesting historical situation that the Testament. However Paul addresses the FALSE brethren who were spying on their freedom in Christ wanting to bring them into bondage. Timothy therefore was not a man who was part of the Old covenant as not being circumcised, it would have been impossible for him to have been so. WebThe significant difference between the circumcised and uncircumcised is among the appearance and the hygiene practices. He became weak for those that were weak. The surgical procedure is performed without the use of anesthetics (Circumcision Surgery). Jews and Gentiles would be more apt to unite under that words of two circumcised leaders than they would with one circumcised and one not. Carrying on from our last two studies, we now look at the " things that differ " in regard to the 12 tribes. However it would have been possible for Paul, with freedom in Christ, to have acted as one under the law. In being Greek, the father would have not wanted his son circumcised. I do not know if they had the right intent or not, but if Timothy believed before all of this happened, Im not sure if it really mattered if he got circumcised or not. Medical conditions, such as recurrent balanoposthitis (recurring inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis) and phimosis can be the reason for circumcision in adolescent boys. For him to be circumcised would not have had the implication of moving from Gentile status to Jew status. So just as Christian freedom caused Paul to resist Titus circumcision, this same freedom allowed him to remove the stumbling block of Timothys lack of circumcision. Maybe if The use of local anesthetic reduces the pain of circumcision. (both Jew and Greek) If Paul had not faced pressure from the crowds, I wonder if Paul would have left Timothy to decide whether to be circumcised or not. According to the midrash [scriptural interpretation], the timing of Abraham's act had special significance. Timothy was a young man, a Jew through his mother's lineage (his father was Greek). Circumcision is one of the main problems of the New Testament, especially in the matter of Gentile salvation. 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: Timothy was clearly not circumcised, otherwise it would not have been possible for Paul to have circumcised him. http://gospeltranslation.org/wiki/Why_Was_Timothy_Circumcised%3F. Would we ever advise a believer to be circumci God's Prerogatives Earlier this year, at Daystar Church , Pastor Allen taught from 2 Cor 4 starting with the verse below . And Iconium spoke well of him > he circumcised him because of the flesh, yet it included deeper! It represented the born-again experience, circumcision of the heart. The Apostle Paul seems to take contradictory views of circumcision in the pages of scripture. Acts 22:27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? Well, he was known by the Jews in Galatia and they knew he was the son of a gentile. I do believe it could have been a better way to go about things between those two. WebI dont think the apostle was being hypocritical at all. Therefore, the real question is why did Paul do this? Perhaps his father refused to circumcise his son. (2 Tim. Wordpress Pricing Tables, Sliders & Comparison Tables Nulled, The marriage of a Jewish woman to a non-Jew was considered a nonlegal marriage; and in all instances of nonlegal marriages, the lineage of the child was reckoned through the mother. Paul is talking about the Levitical Priesthood, and the animal sacrifice, as well as the commandments.. ), Does Paul do the right thing in requiring Timothy to keep the Law, even though he arguespassionatelyin Galatians that those whoa re in Christ are not under Law?. I know in ministry not everyone has the exact same views but in order to make things happen people have to put their non-absolutes (non-foundational beliefs) aside in order to work as whole. If Timothy had to be circumcised so that the Jews that were there could focus more on what they were preaching rather than the fact that he was not circumcised, then I would consider it the right thing to expand the mission and further Gods kingdom. Take care that this right of your does not somehow because a stumbling block (1 Cor. 1Co 9:20 And 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;. Timothy seems to have been in this position of being able to move between the two worlds. This page was last modified on 12 October 2008, at 18:27. Why Did Paul Circumcise Timothy . However we do know that Timothy knew the scriptures. 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