Acts 16:2

Act 16:2 . ἐμαρτυρεῖτο , cf. Act 6:3 , Act 10:22 , Act 22:12 . The good report which may well have been formed to some extent by the aptitude and fitness which Timothy had shown in the Church during St. Paul’s absence may also have helped the Apostle in the selection of his future companion. The union of Lystra and Iconium is quite natural for common intercourse, Ramsay, St. Paul , p. 178. There is no reason to suppose with Rendall that Iconium would be the home of Eunice, as the synagogue and principal Jewish colony were there, see Edersheim, u. s.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Both for his godliness and honesty.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 2. Which was well reported of] These words are spoken of Timothy, and not of his father. At this time Timothy must have been very young; for, several years after, when appointed to superintend the Church at Crete, he appears to have been then so young that there was a danger of its operating to the prejudice of his ministry: 1Ti 4:12, Let no man despise thy youth. He had a very early religious education from his godly mother Eunice, and his not less pious grandmother Lois; and, from his religious instructions, was well prepared for the work to which God now called him.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. well reported of] The same expression is used of Cornelius (Act_10:22) and by Paul of Ananias (Act_22:12).

by the brethren] i.e. the members of the Christian churches. Five or six years had elapsed since the previous visit of St Paul, so that the congregations had become somewhat formed, and the characters of their more earnest members well known.

at Lystra and Iconium] Thus we can see that there was an interchange of kindly offices between the newly-founded churches.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Which was well reported of,.... Not the father of Timothy, but Timothy himself; to whose piety, virtue, and good conversation witness was borne,

by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium; the members of the churches which were in these places, and which were not far from one another; and as it is necessary that ministers of the Gospel should have a good report of them that are without, so likewise of them that are within; and the testimony of the latter is preferable to that of the former.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Ver. 2. Which was well reported of by the brethren] This is part of the reward of virtue, and follows it, as the shadow doth the body. {See Trapp on "Ecc 7:1"} {See Trapp on "3Jn 1:12"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Which - That is, Timothy. The connection requires us to understand this of him. Of the character of his father nothing is known.

Was well reported of - Was esteemed highly as a young man of piety and promise. Compare the notes on Act 6:3. Compare 1Ti 5:10. Timothy had been religiously educated. He was carefully trained in the knowledge of the holy Scriptures, and was therefore the better qualified for his work, 2Ti 3:15.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Though Timothy was well known unto Paul, yet he would not ordain him without the testimony of others concerning him, of his holy life, and knowledge in the Scripture, 2Ti 3:15, which he did excel in.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The same for which, A.V. This is an improvement, as making it plain that it was Timothy, not his father, who was well reported of. For the phrase, ov ejmartuoeito see Act_6:3 Act_10:22; Luk_4:22. At Lystra and Iconium; coupled together, as in 2Ti_3:11. It appears, too, from Act_14:19, that there was close communication between Icouium and Lystra. The brethren at Iconium would, therefore, naturally know all about young Timothy. (comp. 1Ti_3:7)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

See notes on verse 1

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. ὅς ἐμαρτυρεῖτο, who was well reported of. The same word is used about Cornelius (Act 10:22), and by Paul about Ananias (Act 22:12).

ὑπὸ τῶν ἐν Λύστροις καὶ Ἰκονίῳ ἀδελφῶν, by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. The ‘brethren’ are the members of the Christian Churches. Five or six years had elapsed since St Paul’s previous visit. In that time congregations had been gathered together and the characters of their most earnest members were well known. We see too that there was an interchange of kindly offices between the neighbouring Churches.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2.] Some of these testimonies were probably intimations of the Spirit respecting his fitness for the work; for Paul speaks, 1Ti 1:18, of τὰς προαγούσας ἐπὶ σὲ προφητείας (see ch. 13:1, 3). He was set apart for the work by the laying on of the hands of Paul and of the presbytery, 1Ti 4:14; 2Ti 1:6, after he had made a good confession before many witnesses, 1Ti 6:12.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.