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FAQ 248
Why was Timothy Circumcised?
NCW 33, April 1996 (Part II)
Q. In Acts 16 Paul had Timothy, a half-Jew, half-Greek, circumcised. Since he was a Christian, and since elsewhere Paul says that circumcision of the flesh is useless -- almost as bad as uncircumcising the heart -- why did he insist Timothy be circumcised?
The only reason we are given is "because of the Jews living in those areas" (Ac.16:3, JNT). In other words, since Timothy was such an important missionary and since not being circumcised was such a stumbling block to his being accepted as a fellow Jew in his evangelising work, Paul presumably felt it in the interests of the Gospel to have his co-worker circumcised. As to whether Paul was right or wrong that is a matter we have to leave up to the Lord for we do not feel competent or justified in passing judgment. It was a local decision made to meet a local need.
This page was created on 9 May 1998
Last updated on 9 May 1998
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