Translation commentary on Acts 16:1

The Greek has “he traveled on,” which the Good News Translation has rendered Paul traveled on, since the last mention of Paul occurs in the preceding chapter (v. 40).

Notice that in the Good News Translation text the introductory verb in Greek has been rendered as traveled on. This is not only a completely legitimate translation of this verb, but the adverbial particle on serves as an important transitional device to combine this first paragraph of Chapter 16 with the last sentence of Chapter 15.

The second sentence of this verse begins with a particle which often denotes emphasis (see 1.10) but which in many contexts is left untranslated. Most translators have not rendered this particle, but in the King James Version it appears as “behold.” This Greek particle, however, serves not only for emphasis but may also help to introduce a new participant, in this instance Timothy.

Believer is literally “a disciple,” but commentators are agreed that the meaning of “disciple” in the present context is “one who is a Christian.” Most commentators agree that there is a reference to the city of Lystra.

The second time the word believer is translated in this verse it means exactly that and is not the same word as is used above.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:1

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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