Verses 1-3 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.
The Apostle Paul with the Apostle Silas went forth to visit all the churches that he and the Apostle Barnabas had established in their first missionary journey. When they got to Derbe and Lystra the Apostle Paul met Timotheus who would become an important member of his missionary team, the New Testament books of 1 and 2 Timothy being written to him years later by Paul. Timotheus or Timothy as he is called in the English language was interesting in that he was half Jewish from his mother and half Gentile from his Greek father. It would stand to reason that as he was growing up he would have been taught both cultures and perhaps more than one religion by his parents so that he would have a very good understanding of both the Jewish world and the Gentile world. The name, Timotheus, means “honoring God”. It is also interesting that Luke records here that Timothy’s mother was a Jewish convert to the Faith and yet does not record what Timothy’s father believed as far as a religion. It is possible that Timothy’s father was no longer living as the verse above uses the past tense “was”. It is also interesting that, after receiving the decision of the Jerusalem church fathers that Gentiles do not have to be circumcised that the Apostle Paul would circumcise Timothy before they went forth on his travels to check on more of the churches. It appears to have been a political decision in that since Timothy’s heritage was well known, the Jews in the region would be inclined to not persecute Timothy if he was viewed as one of them instead of viewed as a Gentile who the unsaved Jews hated.
Application: The Apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. and unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 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. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” By having Timothy circumcised, the Apostle Paul was showing him how to become all things to all men, in this case the Jews, so that he could gain Jewish converts to the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ. This was the method of the Apostle Paul’s evangelism. Perhaps this method is one that should be used today when sharing the Gospel with the unsaved.
Verses 4-5 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
In today’s technological world, a member of a church can email a member of another church in another country and send a message of encouragement, edification or comfort in just a few minutes and get a response back also in just a few minutes if the recipient is at their internet source. In the days of the apostles, weeks, months and sometimes years of travel were required to get a message from one church to another. The decree that had been sent out as recorded in the previous chapter of this book would only get to the churches if it was taken by someone and the Apostles Paul, Silas, and now Timothy were the messengers. The churches flourished and added converted believers continually under the guidance of the Apostle Paul.
Verses 6-7 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
The name, Phrygia, means “dry or barren”. The area called “Asia” in the verses above at the time of the apostles’ missionary journeys was basically the land that today is known as the nation of Turkey. Asia back then was not Asia of today. Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia and Carla were all towns in that geographical region. The name, Mysia, means “land of beach trees. The name, Bithynia, means “a violent rushing”. The apostles were not permitted to preach in these areas but Scripture does not explain why this was so.
Application: The apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost/Spirit of Jesus Christ and He was guiding their steps, telling them where to go and where not to go. So they were “walking in the Spirit” and as such they traveled to the towns in which the Holy Ghost was preparing for them to preach and minister. How does a converted Christian believer walk in the Spirit? First one has to have the LORD’s Spirit dwelling in them which requires repentance and baptism. Then one has to spend time with the LORD in His Word and in prayer and meditation. When one has emptied themselves of their preconceived ideas, of their pride, of their lusting after the flesh and the things of the world, one is ready to be used as a vessel for God and He will fill one up with His Spirit. Then every day the believer consults the LORD in all aspects of daily living. “What would you have me do for you today?” is a good question to ask when getting up in the morning. Just by talking to the LORD throughout the day answers will come into the mind to any questions a believer may have, and the believer will be walking with the Spirit.
Verses 8-12 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
The name Mysia means “land of beach trees” and it was a province of Asia Minor bordering the Aegean Sea and included the cities of Pergamos, Troas, and Assos. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:” Joel 2:28 God fulfilled this prophecy on the day of Pentecost 50 days after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul, being a young man at this time, was seeing a vision of people needing help and he knew the LORD was sending him to another missionary work. So the apostles sailed forth by way of Samothracia which was an island on the Aegean Sea, the name meaning “a sign of rags”, then to Neapolis which was a maritime city in Macedonia, the name meaning “new city”, finally arriving in Philippi, another coastal city in Macedonia, the name meaning “lover of horses”.
Application: Why did Luke record all the details of the cities and regions that the apostles traveled to and the routes that they took? He was a professional physician, therefore educated, and therefore one who would pay attention to details. He was making sure that the information he was preparing for the attorney that was to represent the Apostle Paul would provide a complete and accurate picture of the life and ministry of Paul so that no unfounded accusations could be made against him. And the LORD wanted this record of the early Church to be available for future generations to read and to understand how the Church was to be ministered to, how the Church was to be ministering to the unsaved, and how evangelism was to be carried out. This book demonstrates like no other New Testament book the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the passing away of the Old Covenant and the establishment of the New Covenant.
Verses 13-15 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
The apostles went to have a prayer meeting by a river and there encountered a group of women who they witnessed to. One of these women was converted, baptized and then opened her home to the apostles. She sold purple items as the city of Thyatira was a center for the dyeing of all things purple.
Verses 16-18 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
What the damsel was saying was true. But her following and crying out was causing the apostles to have difficulty speaking to others about the Gospel. She was a major distraction. So the Apostle Paul cast the devil out after a few days of this young woman interrupting their ministry. And as a result, she could no longer engage in divination or act as a fortuneteller.
Application: Satan and his fallen angels will use any means they can to misdirect the unsaved and believers from the truth of the Gospel. And they will use truth to deceive others. This was how they were using the young woman working as a fortuneteller and practicing divination. There are many church organizations and pastors that engage in the same practice in that they preach some truth but promote false doctrine at the same time. So all converted Christian believers need to always check what their pastor, teacher, Bible study leader, or friends are telling them regarding the things of God with His Word to be sure they are being given truth and not a lie.
Verses 19-22 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
Notice that the damsel’s master claimed to be Romans, and yet they broke Roman law by inciting a mob and by denying the Apostle Paul, also a Roman, a trial before being punished and imprisoned.
Application: The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10 While the context of this verse was aimed at believers, the truth of this verse applies equally to unbelievers. The Apostle Paul experienced this first hand as recorded in the above verses as evil was perpetrated upon him and upon the Apostle Silas because their merciful act of releasing a young woman from the bondage of an evil spirit led to her handlers losing money as she could no longer divine for them. These men did not care about the damsel but only cared about their profit and loss statement and their bottom line. Today’s world is no different as evil abounds because of the love of money. Child trafficking and the sex slave industry is just one example of the evil being perpetrated upon others so that evil men can make large profits. Only the return to this Earth of the LORD Jesus Christ will stop this pattern of evil which has been going on since sin entered the hearts and minds of mankind.
Verses 23-24 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Prisons in those days were dark, damp, dirty and smelly places and the apostles were placed in the deeper recesses of the prison where conditions would be worse. They had been beaten and bruised and would have been bleeding, sweaty, and in much pain. Then they were placed in stocks which would have been more uncomfortable than being in chains as they could not move or change their position. Their suffering really cannot be understood or related to by most Christian believers today living in western cultures where there is minimal persecution of the Church.
Verses 25-26 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
Instead of focusing on their pain and discomfort, the apostles Paul and Silas turned to the LORD for comfort and held a time of praise and worship that resonated throughout the prison to all the other prisoners. So even in prison the apostles were witnessing and preaching the Gospel message to the unsaved. The LORD was so pleased with the apostles and so angry with the evil men who had injured them that He expressed His opinion of the situation and the day’s events by shaking up the region with a large earthquake that would have aroused all the residents of the city and which moved the prison itself so much so that the doors swung open and all the prisoner restraints came off. Needless to say, it is doubtful that any of the prisoners held at this time in the prison continued to be unbelievers in the LORD Jesus Christ.
Verses 27-28 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
It was law in those days that if a prisoner escaped, the warden and/or the guards were, as punishment, to receive the same sentence as the prisoner had received. In this case, should all the prisoners have escaped the staff of the prison would have been executed in an unpleasant manner, and so the keeper decided to commit suicide rather than fall into the hands of executioners. But the Apostle Paul yelled out and stopped him from dying. God had another plan for this keeper and so he was not able to kill himself.
Verses 29-32 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
The keeper, whose name is not known, was fully aware that a miracle had happened because the prisoners had not escaped when the doors were wide open and the opportunity was right there for them to run away. So he took the apostles and ministered to their wounds and decided that he wanted the faith that they had. So the question was and always has been, “What must I do to be saved?”.
Application: How refreshing it would be today if people began to ask what they needed to do to be saved. It seems that people have become so accustomed to sin, so comfortable with their own intelligence and pride, and so engrossed with entertainment that they are unable to consider spiritual matters pertaining to eternal life after death. All that matters is money, success, power, and privilege. These things are not just reserved for the wealthy, but are aspects of all levels of most societies. The inner city gangs are no different to the political elites in their quest to gain these things.
Verses 33-34 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
A church was born that night in a prison as a result of the persecution of the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Silas.
Verses 35-37 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
The Apostle Paul was of Roman birth, and although a Pharisee with knowledge of the Scripture, he was also knowledgeable regarding Roman law. He knew his rights had been violated by the magistrates and he was not going to leave without confronting them for their violation of the law.
Application: This same Apostle Paul penned the words in Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” This verse is usually interpreted by mainstream organized evangelical establishment churches as meaning that converted, born again, Spirit filled Christian believers have to be obedient to man-made governing entities. If this was the case, the Apostle Paul would have quietly and meekly exited the prison. He did not. He stood up to the magistrates because they were wrong and they acted wickedly towards him and towards Silas and towards the preaching of the Word of God, and therefore towards God Almighty. The verse in Romans 13 is referring to the governing of the Church and not to any other unrighteous governing system. God ordains pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, apostles and elders. Christian believers are not in the systems of the world but are in the spiritual Kingdom of God. Unjust man-made laws are not to be obeyed. Plain and simple. The LORD said in Hosea 8:4, “They have set up kings, but not by me:. . .” So clearly evil, wicked men and women in man-made governing entities are not ordained of God, but are put in place by Satan and his servants.
Verses 38-40 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. 39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. 40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. (Acts 16)
Scripture does not record whether the magistrates apologized to the apostles, but they personally brought them out of the prison and apparently politely asked them to leave their city. So they returned to the believers at Lydia’s house and then departed for Thessalonica. Notice that while injured and suffering, the apostles selflessly comforted (encouraged) these new believers in the LORD Jesus Christ.