161 And he came to Derbe and Lystra, and lo, a certain disciple was there, by name Timotheus son of a certain woman, a believing Jewess, but of a father, a Greek, 2 who was well testified to by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium; 3 this one did Paul wish to go forth with him, and having taken 'him', he circumcised him, because of the Jews who are in those places, for they all knew his father—that he was a Greek. 4 And as they were going on through the cities, they were delivering to them the decrees to keep, that have been judged by the apostles and the elders who 'are' in Jerusalem, 5 then, indeed, were the assemblies established in the faith, and were abounding in number every day;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 16:1-5
Commentary on Acts 16:1-5
(Read Acts 16:1-5)
Well may the church look for much service from youthful ministers who set out in the same spirit as Timothy. But when men will submit in nothing, and oblige in nothing, the first elements of the Christian temper seem to be wanting; and there is great reason to believe that the doctrines and precepts of the gospel will not be successfully taught. The design of the decree being to set aside the ceremonial law, and its carnal ordinances, believers were confirmed in the Christian faith, because it set up a spiritual way of serving God, as suited to the nature both of God and man. Thus the church increased in numbers daily.