Paul goes to Derbe where he meets a young man named Timothy whose father was Greek and mother was a Jewish believer. Paul has him circumcised to be accepted by the Jewish community. This goes against what Peter has seen in his vision, yet the pressure from the other Jewish believers is strong. It shows devotion on the part of Timothy to undergo physical hardship as well. Many people are converted.
They go to Phyrgia and Galatia (Modern day Eastern Turkey) because the Holy Spirit forbade them to speak a word in Asia (Modern day Western Turkey). Again, the Holy Spirit redirects them away from Bithynia and Mysia for Troas. Paul has a dream where a Macedonian man asks them to come share the gospel there. He sees that as a sign to travel by boat to Northern Greece.
There, they preach outside of the Roman city of Philippi where they encounter a wealthy purple cloth merchant named Lydia who becomes a believer and invites them to stay at her home.
Along the road they encountered a slave girl with divination who followed them calling out,”These are servants of the most High God,” for many days. Paul, annoyed, commanded the spirit to come out of her. Her owners upset at their loss of income, turn Paul and Silas in to the leaders for disturbing the city. The crowd tore their clothes and beat them and they were put in the stocks in jail. In prison, Paul and Silas sang worship songs. The earth quaked and the jail doors opened and their chains came off. The prison guard feared that the prisoners had escaped and was ready to harm himself. Paul cried out, “We are still here.” The guard was so grateful that he brought them to his home and washed their wounds. He and his household were saved and baptized that night.
The next day the magistrates order Paul and Silas freed, but Paul says that they are citizens and demand an apology, which they receive. They go visit their friend Lydia as well as the other believers.
This chapter show how much Paul and Silas depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance. Each town is a yes or no. Even when they are in prison, they still have joy and worship instead of fear. Their dire circumstances change and they leave with dignity.
