ETB Acts 15:39-16:10

Session 5 p.46 Kingdom Work

Discuss: Which do you find harder—disagreements with a stranger or with a close friend, and why? (p. 45)

Transition: Many times, we can be distracted by circumstances and situations, even in our Christian walk. This session points to some situations that could have been distracting for Paul and his missionary team and how he remained focused on his work for the gospel.

Understand the Context

Today’s passage continues just a few verses from where we left off last week.

Acts 15:35 “35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.”

We do not know how long they stayed, but verse 36 starts with “after some days.” Paul, prompted by the Holy Spirit proposes to Barnabas a return visit to the city and believers where they had traveled through. Preparations for the trip begin including the choice of companions. This is where the first “distraction” from the mission comes in.

As sometimes happens among friends, even fellow Christians, a disagreement arose between Paul and Barnabas. John Mark figured directly into this story. Barnabas wanted Mark to accompany them on their next journey. Paul was adamantly opposed to the idea because Mark had abandoned them on the earlier journey. [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]

This is another one of those examples of how Scripture portrays things truthfully but not necessarily as a positive example to be followed. The way Luke records this dispute is very brief. Similar to the Jerusalem Council onset of “after much debate.” Both situations proved to benefit God’s purposes greatly, even though is may have been an emotionally strenuous or even pain time for the participants. Later in Scripture we read of the amiability of these two men of God returning, but for now they needed to separate.

Explore the Text

Acts 15:39–41 ESV

39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

a sharp disagreement

Is it a bad thing to disagree with someone? Can it be a positive thing?

While the disagreement was noted as sharp, this does not necessarily imply an angry or sinful dispute. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

This conflict is in contrast with the one we looked at last week. There Judaizers had an error in doctrine which led to conflicting interpretations. That was a disagreement over Scripture and grace. This one is about personal preference and perceptions. However, both involved Barnabas and Paul, and both were resolved in a way that furthered the gospel and strengthened the church and individual believers.

If you back up a few verses, you can see there was something that the two agreed needed to be done; visiting all the cities they went to on the first trip. Their dispute did not prevent this from being done, it was too important. How, and with whom, however varied.

The Book of Acts: A Commentary Paul as a Sodality Leader

It is important to recognize that Luke does not describe this mission split as the good guys versus the bad guys. Both are good, and at the end of the day, each will optimally be effective in ministering in areas that best fit the gifts and personalities God has given them.

Ask: Why is unity important for the ministry of the gospel? (p. 47)

Barnabas sailed away to Cyprus

I think this is the last action recorded of Barnabas, he went home and took his cousin with him. We do not read of him ever returning from Cyprus. Paul mentions him again in his letter to the Galatians, but it is a retelling of their trip to Jerusalem together before today’s passage when they parted company for the last time.

Paul and Silas

With Barnabas leaving with Mark, Paul needed a qualified partner for his next journey. Silas was his choice. Earlier in Acts 15, Silas had been one of the two delegates sent from Jerusalem to Antioch. He had remained in Antioch after sharing the letter about Gentile salvation and proved worthy of consideration.

As a representative from Jerusalem, Silas could share and explain the Council’s letter to churches in Asia Minor. Luke later noted that Silas was also a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37-40). This would prove helpful. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

… having been commended by the brothers

When Paul and Barnabas left Antioch for their mission trip, Luke recorded that church doing this for both men. Here it is clearly only for Paul and Silas. I’m not sure what to make of Luke emphasizing this commendation only for these two and not Barnabas and Mark. It may have simply been that he was not around when the other two left and stayed with Paul to record his actions. The rest of the “Acts” stays centered around Paul so this may have just been a segue into that theme.

Syria and Cilicia

This this the land route back to the cities that they had been too, with Derbe being the one furthest east. This route also took Paul back through the region he grew up in as Tarsus was in the Cilicia region. It appears that both men took their new companions back to their hometowns, but we only read about Paul continuing on with the work through the rest of the region.

I wonder if Paul had any more success in his preaching in Tarsus than Jesus did in Nazareth and Galilee?

strengthening the churches

Back in verse 36, Paul wanted to “see how they are” and now we read that he found something lacking and attempted to fix it.

I grew up with different types of animals and fences. Over time the fencing or the posts would begin to be less straight than when we put it up. After heavy rains like this past week, you could see some posts leaning a bit more. Often the ground around the post just needed a little tamping down to “firm up” the post to be straight again. That’s the imagery of the words used for Paul’s “strengthening.” He firmed up the good soil they were on so they could be strong against the next “storm” to come through.

As Steve often reminds us the Chapter divisions are a later addition to the Scripture for helping us find our place. Today’s passage is an excellent example of how there really is no break in the story being told, only a pause in one place before moving on to the next.

Acts 16:1–5 ESV

1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

Derbe and Lystra

You may remember this city names from our lesson a couple of weeks ago. Lystra was where Paul was stoned and left for dead, then when back into the city and left for Derbe. Paul now returns to the disciples that had circled about him after being put out of the city to die. Once again, he comes back to town for the benefit of others.

A disciple was there, named Timothy,

Paul not only strengthens the churches but finds one man in particular to pour his knowledge and faith into. Luke notes that he was already a believer when Paul found him. He has also been a part of the church there long enough to have developed a good reputation in both Lystra and Iconium, about 30 miles north.

Luke also makes note of Timothy’s family heritage which is important to help explain and reconcile verses 3 and 4. You can see the importance of the ethnicity of his parents over their gender in the order in which they are listed. If they had both been Greek or both Jew, the father would have been mentioned first.

(16:3) According to the teaching of rabbis, the child of a Jewish mother and Greek father would be considered Jewish. From a Mosaic perspective, such a marriage would not be legal, so the child’s lineage would be determined through the mother. So, in this case, Timothy would be seen as a Jew because Eunice was a Jew. That would be an important point for any Jews whom Paul might attempt to reach with the gospel. Jews, even those living in predominantly Gentile cultures, would expect Timothy to honor his Jewish heritage. Paul understood that Timothy’s lack of circumcision could hinder the gospel in many cities. So, he made sure Timothy was circumcised.

Paul’s actions in these passages revealed wisdom and flexibility. While he certainly advocated accepting Gentiles without legalistic burdens like circumcision, he also understood the dynamics of reaching Jews who were committed to the Mosaic law. Paul knew that each town would have certain traditions that would need to be respected to gain an audience. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

It was not a requirement for Timothy’s salvation, on for his effectiveness in ministry with Paul “to the Jew first and also the Greek.” It removed an obstacle that those devoted to traditions may not have been able to overcome to listen to anything else Paul and the group were saying.

Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him

It is possible that the apostle saw Timothy’s unique mixture of family background and cultural knowledge as a significant benefit. Just as Silas combined his connection with the Jerusalem church and Paul’s mission, Timothy also opened the way for the further spread of the gospel. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

As one relationship ended, another began to coalesce. But there was a hindrance to Paul’s typical pattern of speaking in the synagogues first. Timothy was still considered a “full” Gentile because he was not circumcised. Because his mother was Jewish, he could have all the benefits of being a “full” Jew once circumcised and not considered a “proselyte.”

he took him and circumcised

As a Pharisee, Paul could before this himself or have the local “priest” perform it. The reasoning though was not only for ritual or obedience to the Mosaic law, but to show total devotion to the One True God. Christians today have baptism; this was Timothy’s public display of commitment. This would eliminate some barriers that could have hindered their missionary work in the cities they would visit, as well as making significant statement to the Jewish people “in those places” that already knew of Timothy.

Paul,

Acts–Philemon 16:1–5. Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

also appears willing to be as one “under the law” to those who are “under the law” in 1 Cor. 9:19–20. If it is true that Paul was more concerned that only Gentiles not be under the Law than Jews, then this would make his observance of Jewish rituals and observances in 18:18 and 21:26, and perhaps in 20:6, more understandable. Paul did not say that it was wrong for the Jews to follow the practices of Judaism: namely, circumcision and other Jewish observances. He contended that these traditions, though not wrong, were unable to bring a person into a right relationship with God (Gal. 2:15–21).

as they went … they delivered to them for observance the decisions

They preached the gospel to those who had not heard and told the current disciples about the Jerusalem Council’s letter. Timothy would have heard these things before coming with Paul and accepting his request to be circumcised for “effectiveness” but not as a requirement for salvation, much like how baptism does not save us but reflects the commitment to Christ that has been made.

the churches were strengthened

Paul, Silas, and Timothy’s choices were approved by the Holy Spirit as He made their work effective in those cities. This is what Paul suggested to Barnabas and was not deterred when the first plan did not work out. God’s plan was for the two to work separately so that more people could be reached, and more believers encouraged. The gospel was also effective in reaching new believers as these churches “increased in numbers daily.”

Acts 16:6–7 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia

(At this time.)

The missionaries likely covered several hundred miles on foot. Luke’s description also suggests this missionary journey involved detailed planning. But even the best plans require flexibility, especially when one is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In this passage, Luke noted three specific times when the Spirit guided the missionaries, either by forbidding their movements or by showing them where to go. The first occurred in verse 6 when they were not allowed to enter Asia (see below). Later, they were also barred from going to Bithynia (v. 7), the northern-most region of Asia Minor. Finally, a vision in Mysia confirmed a movement toward Macedonia (vv. 9-10).

In the first two instances, the exact method of the Spirit’s communication is not revealed. However, Paul and the team were sure they were hearing from God. As a result, they stopped following their own itinerary and started focusing on the plans of the Spirit. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Paul knew the gospel message was to be spread, and he knew God had called him to do it. Now he was discovering places that God was not ready to work in through him. Paul’s call did not change, only how and where it was to be accomplished.

Have you ever been told “No” by God, to later be shown a different way to follow Him?

Ask: When have you felt God tell you “no” when you thought you were doing something good? How did that feel?

they had come up to Mysia

I like maps, and I enjoy looking at the ones that show the paths of biblical characters described in Scripture but I also know that these arrows and lines are the “most reasonable path” and we will not know the exact path taken until we interview this men in Heaven. They do help us see, however, in general how they continue to move through and between the regions as the Lord prompted and permitted them to go. Paul must have spoken with the men often about his desires to go these other places listed as Luke records their movements. Eventually, they get to a point that Paul received very explicit instructions to sail over to the next major peninsula we now call Greece.

Spirit of Jesus

Luke saw the leading of the Holy Spirit and the leading of the Spirit of Jesus as one and the same. When referring to the Spirit’s direction, Luke was affirming that Jesus was in heaven directing the church. Jesus’s work was also the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). The geographical leadership was a smaller component of His larger direction for the missionaries and their ministries. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Acts 16:8–10 ESV

8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

A vision appeared to Paul

Until they had gotten to Troas, the missionary team had experienced closed doors. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit initiated a shift. Instead of being told to stop, Paul received a vision that established a new direction and a new priority for the team. Visions were fairly common in Acts, especially for Peter and Paul. The Greek wording emphasizes the divine origin of what was seen. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Man of Macedonia

Teacher’s guide let me down on this part

It is not clear how Paul recognized the man as being from Macedonia. Some have speculated that the man was Luke, though Scripture does not associate him with Macedonia. Others think Paul saw the greatest of all Macedonians, Alexander the Great. But, again, this idea is rooted more in conjecture than reality. Luke may have been vague about the man because his identity did not matter. His appeal and the missionaries’ response was the writer’s focus. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

I think it is quite clear in what the man stated by saying “us” that he was a part of the people in Macedonia that they were asked to come to. Does not matter what he looked like or how he dressed, his speech included himself with the people of the land. The simplest explanation is the best.

Luke uses the same inclusive speech in the next verse.

We sought to go

This represents the first time in Acts when Luke inserted himself into the narrative. While he gave no indication of how he came to be part of the missionary journey, the transition to first-person makes it clear that he was with the group when they left Troas and headed for Macedonia. Luke used we language through verse 16 and again in Acts 20:5-15 in describing the third missionary journey. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Summarize: Sometimes, our plans align perfectly with what God is doing. Other times, He needs to close a door on us. Either way, we need to trust Him. Like Paul, we need to listen for His voice and focus on His purposes for our lives and ministries.

Apply the Text

Pray: God when we disagree with other fellow believers help us act in a worthy manner of Your calling upon us and separate amiably if Your kingdom will be honored best that way. Use us to grow Your kingdom, guide us to know where we can be used by You best. Show how where, and where not to go to fulfill Your plans through us.