I was struck today by this verse. It describes the beginning of Paul’s relationship with Timothy. “Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ” (Acts 16:3, NIV84) In Acts 15, Paul had argued that circumcision was not necessary for Christian living. Yet, here, he circumcises Timothy.
I think the reason why has more to do with culture. We know that Paul did not want hindrances to preaching the Gospel. Paul’s philosophy was this. “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. ” (1 Corinthians 9:19–23, NIV84)
Paul knew he was going into a Jewish region. Paul knew that it would be difficult for the Jewish people to listen when they were distracted by circumcision. Paul wanted Timothy to join him. In order to remove the hindrance to ministry, Paul circumcised Timothy. This is the same Timothy who later was a leader of churches and called by Paul as “son”. Their relationship began with circumcision.
Circumcision in the teen and adult years is a painful process. There were no anesthetics. There were no pain killers. There was only the pain of the knife to endure the process of cutting away.
Timothy was invited to join Paul on an journey. Timothy did not know how he would be used. He did not know the outcome of the journey. He only knew that Paul was inviting him. However the criteria to accept the invitation of Paul was to submit to a painful process.
As Timothy submitted, he entered into a ministry relationship of a spiritual son to a spiritual father. I see keys in this process of becoming a spiritual son, of learning to enter into a ministry relationship with a spiritual father.
The first key is that Timothy needed to trust that what Paul wanted to do was right. This was not a salvation issue. This was not a doctrine issue. This was not a sin issue. This was done in order to minister more effectively in the region they were going. The question for those who would be spiritual sons or who want to be under a spiritual father is this. Will you let the spiritual father prepare you for ministry in any way that he or she sees as needed? Timothy agreed to the pain and the process for the simple reason that Paul wanted it.
The second key is that Timothy needed to come to a place of surrender with Paul. To undergo the circumcision process meant that Timothy would allow Paul to see things that were personal and private. Timothy allowed Paul to cut away that which was deeply personal. Timothy did not hide behind any walls with Paul, but fully opened himself to Paul’s knife and the cutting process. The question for those who would be under a spiritual father is this. Will you let the spiritual father see you as you really are and will you allow him or her to cut away as he or she feels is needed?
The third key is that Timothy needed to endure pain at the hands of Paul. Timothy was losing a part of his past, a part of his identity and a part of who he was. The process of loss was painful. However, the process of loss created room for Paul to create a new destiny and a new identity in Timothy. Timothy soon would become a great leader of the early church. The question for those who would be under a spiritual father is this. Will you endure the pain of the preparation process?
I can only imagine Paul after the circumcision was complete. I see Timothy laying in pain. I see some blood and I see some tears. I also see Paul who loves Timothy and sees a great purpose and destiny for him. Paul perhaps said, as he gave some comfort to Timothy, “Timothy, my dear son” (2 Tim 1:2). Paul waited to continue until Timothy had healed. And with Timothy at his side, Paul preached. “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. ” (Acts 16:5, NIV84)
