He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
Parallel translations
- WEB The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him.
- KJV Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
- BSB The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
- NASB and he was well spoken of by the brothers and sisters who were in Lystra and Iconium.
- NLT Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of Timothy. His proven character commended him for ministry.
Overview
A good reputation among the churches confirmed Timothy's fitness to join Paul's team. The New Testament repeatedly stresses such tested character as a qualification for Christian service (1 Timothy 3:7). This commendation marks the beginning of Timothy's significant role in the spread of the gospel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 1 Tim 5:10being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.
- 2 Tim 3:15From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
- Heb 11:2For by this, the elders obtained testimony.
- Acts 6:3Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
- Acts 16:40They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, and departed.
- Acts 14:21When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
- 1 Tim 3:7Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- Acts 13:51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
- 2 Tim 3:11persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all.
- 1 Tim 5:25In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 16:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.