Timothy's Lineage

Acts 16:1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Timothy was circumcised for two reasons: one his mother was of the Jewish faith and by Jewish law he was to be circumcised on the eighth day following his birth and two he could not go into the Synaguages. The children were raised in the beliefs of the mother. His circumcision was for his inclusion in the Jewish community. This was an outward admission of his Jewish faith.

Timothy followed the advice of Paul to prevent himself from being a stumbling block for other Jewish men that they were fellowshiping with. What can we do to bring others closer to Christ? The smallest action can change others' thoughts about our views. It is better to look different than the world to bring the world closer to Christ than to look like the world and become a part of the darkness. How will you let your light shine today?