Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra,^(A) where a disciple named Timothy^(B) lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer^(C) but whose father was a Greek. ² The believers^(D) at Lystra and Iconium^(E) spoke well of him. ³ 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.^{(F) 4} As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders^(G) in Jerusalem^(H) for the people to obey.^{(I) 5} So the churches were strengthened^(J) in the faith and grew daily in numbers.^(K)

Thanksgiving

³ I thank God,^(A) whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience,^(B) as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.^{(C) 4} Recalling your tears,^(D) I long to see you,^(E) so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith,^(F) which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice^(G) and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.^{(H) 7} For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,^(I) but gives us power,^(J) love and self-discipline.

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(A) 15} and how from infancy^(B) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(C) which are able to make you wise^(D) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.