16 Then Paul went to Derbe and then on to Lystra where a believer named Timothy lived. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was Greek. 2 The believers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of Timothy 3 and Paul wanted him to accompany them on his trip so he circumcised him in advance because of the Jews in that region—everyone knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they passed through various towns, they explained the decision of the missionaries and elders in Yerusalem about which commands they must adhere to. 5 So the assemblies were strengthened in this way and their numbers were increasing each day.