161 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra . And a disciple was there , named Timothy , the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer , but his father was a Greek , 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium . 3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts , for they all knew that his father was a Greek . 4 Now while they were passing through the cities , they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem , for them to observe . 5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith , and were increasing in number daily e .
6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region , having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia ; 7 and after they came to Mysia , they were trying to go into Bithynia , and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; 8 and passing by Mysia , they came down to Troas . 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night : a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying , "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 When he had seen the vision , immediately we sought to go into Macedonia , concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 So putting out to sea from Troas , we ran a straight course to Samothrace , and on the day following to Neapolis ; 12 and from there to Philippi , which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia , a Roman colony ; and we were staying in this city for some days . 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside e , where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer ; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled . 14 A woman named Lydia , from the city of Thyatira , a seller of purple fabrics , a worshiper of God , was listening ; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul . 15 And when she and her household had been baptized , she urged us, saying , "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord , come into my house and stay ." And she prevailed upon us.
16 It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer , a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 16:1-16
Commentary on Acts 16:1-5
(Read Acts 16:1-5)
Well may the church look for much service from youthful ministers who set out in the same spirit as Timothy. But when men will submit in nothing, and oblige in nothing, the first elements of the Christian temper seem to be wanting; and there is great reason to believe that the doctrines and precepts of the gospel will not be successfully taught. The design of the decree being to set aside the ceremonial law, and its carnal ordinances, believers were confirmed in the Christian faith, because it set up a spiritual way of serving God, as suited to the nature both of God and man. Thus the church increased in numbers daily.
Commentary on Acts 16:6-15
(Read Acts 16:6-15)
The removals of ministers, and the dispensing the means of grace by them, are in particular under Divine conduct and direction. We must follow Providence: and whatever we seek to do, if that suffer us not, we ought to submit and believe to be for the best. People greatly need help for their souls, it is their duty to look out for it, and to invite those among them who can help them. And God's calls must be complied with readily. A solemn assembly the worshippers of God must have, if possible, upon the sabbath day. If we have not synagogues, we must be thankful for more private places, and resort to them; not forsaking the assembling together, as our opportunities are. Among the hearers of Paul was a woman, named Lydia. She had an honest calling, which the historian notices to her praise. Yet though she had a calling to mind, she found time to improve advantages for her soul. It will not excuse us from religious duties, to say, We have a trade to mind; for have not we also a God to serve, and souls to look after? Religion does not call us from our business in the world, but directs us in it. Pride, prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God, till his grace makes way for them into the understanding and affections; and the Lord alone can open the heart to receive and believe his word. We must believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to God as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator.
Commentary on Acts 16:16-24
(Read Acts 16:16-24)
Satan, though the father of lies, will declare the most important truths, when he can thereby serve his purposes. But much mischief is done to the real servants of Christ, by unholy and false preachers of the gospel, who are confounded with them by careless observers. Those who do good by drawing men from sin, may expect to be reviled as troublers of the city. While they teach men to fear God, to believe in Christ, to forsake sin, and to live godly lives, they will be accused of teaching bad customs.