Section 16:1–5
Paul invited Timothy to join them in their work
In this section, Paul and Silas traveled as far as Lystra. Paul encountered Timothy, learned that he was a strong believer, and chose him to work with them. Then they traveled through the region visiting believers in various towns. They told the believers about the four new things the leaders in Jerusalem had decided Gentile believers should obey.
Other examples of headings for this section are:
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas (New International Version)
-or-
Lycaonia: Paul recruits Timothy (New Jerusalem Bible)
Paragraph 16:1–5
16:1a
Paul: Since this is the beginning of a new chapter, you may want to use the name Paul instead of a pronoun, even though the Greek has a pronoun. Silas went with him, but Paul was the leader. For example:
Paul ⌊took Silas and⌋
came: This Greek word is literally “arrived.” Other ways to translate it are:
went (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
traveled (Good News Translation)
Paul (and Silas) left Cilicia to come here. In some languages it is more natural to indicate where they left. For example:
⌊left Cilicia/there and⌋ arrived
Derbe…Lystra: Both of these names refer to cities.
where he found a disciple named Timothy: This clause begins with the Greek phrase that means “and look.” It emphasizes the fact that Timothy was there. It implies that Timothy was important in the early history of the church. For example:
and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus (King James Version)
But many English versions do not translate the phrase “and look.”
disciple: This word in Greek means “learner.” The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example.
Here this word refers generally to someone who believes in Jesus. In some languages using the word disciple would imply that Timothy was one of the twelve disciples. If that is true in your language, use a more general word for anyone who believes in Jesus. See how you translated this word in 6:1 or 15:10.
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