Acts 16:2

Acts 16:2

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

a. NLT: Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium,

b. NIV: The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.

c. YLT: Who was well testified to by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: He [Timothy] had a good reputation among the brethren at Lystra and Iconium.

e. Worrell Translation: Who was well reported of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium.

f. Wuest Translation: He [Timothy] constantly being well recommended by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium.

1. “Which was well reported of by the brethren…”

a. Which 3739 hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. was well reported [Strong: 3140 martureo mar-too-reh'-o from 3144; to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively):--charge, give (evidence), bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.] [Zodhiates: In the passive, meaning to be lauded, to be of good report.] [Vine: In the Passive voice, to be well testified of, to have a good report.]

c. of by [Strong: 5259 hupo hoop-o' a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.]

d. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

    

e. brethren [Strong: 80 adephos ad-el-fos' from 1 (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like 1):--brother.]

1). Just looking at the KJV I used to get the impression that the “well reported” meant it was the fact he was from a mixed marriage, but looking at other translations it shows Timothy had a very good reputation among the people.

2. “…that were at Lystra and Iconium.”

a. that were at [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

b. Lystra [Strong: 3082 Lustra loos'-trah of uncertain origin; Lystra, a place in Asia Minor:--Lystra.]

c. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. Iconium [Strong: 2430 Ikonion ee-kon'-ee-on perhaps from 1504; image-like; Iconium, a place in Asia Minor:--Iconium.]

    

1). Timothy’s good reputation was known not only to the brethren in Lystra but also in Iconium. Iconium was a city about 20 miles north of Lystra where Paul and Barnabas spent a lot of time during the first visit.

a). Acts 14:1-6 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

14:5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

14:6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: