16:3a–c
he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek: This explains why Paul circumcised Timothy. Timothy’s father was a Greek and Greeks did not circumcise their sons. But Timothy’s mother was a Jew, and the Jews therefore considered Timothy a Jew as well. But Jews considered uncircumcised Jews to be very bad Jews because circumcision was a mark of their covenant with God. Paul did not want the Jews to think of Timothy in that way. If Timothy was circumcised, the Jews would accept him. This would be particularly helpful for speaking to Jews who did not believe in Jesus.
In some languages a literal translation would not clearly explain why Paul circumcised Timothy. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate literally and explain it further in a footnote. Two example footnotes are:
Timothy’s father was a Greek and Greeks thought circumcision was disgusting. But Timothy’s mother was a Jew, and the Jews therefore considered Timothy a Jew as well. But Jews considered uncircumcised Jews to be very bad Jews because circumcision was a mark of their covenant with God. Paul did not want the Jews to think of Timothy in that way. As an adult Timothy could choose to be circumcised. If he was circumcised, the Jews would accept him.
-or-
Timothy’s Greek father probably prevented anyone from circumcising Timothy when he was born. But the Jews considered Timothy a Jew because of his Jewish mother. Paul had Timothy circumcised to make him acceptable to Jews.
• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
but all the Jews living in that area knew that Timothy’s father was Greek. So Paul circumcised Timothy ⌊because his/Timothy’s mother was a Jew⌋ ⌊and the Jews considered Timothy a Jew⌋
16:3a
circumcised him: Paul probably had someone circumcise Timothy for him. For example:
had him circumcised (New Revised Standard Version)
circumcised: See how you translated this word in 15:5.
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