As a precautionary measure, Paul wisely advised Timothy to be circumcised--not that God required it, but in order to remove from the minds of the Jews that which might be an objection to Timothy's ministration. In his work Paul was to journey from city to city, in many lands, and often he would have opportunity to preach Christ in Jewish synagogues, as well as in other places of assembly. If it should be known that one of his companions in labor was uncircumcised, his work might be greatly hindered by the prejudice and bigotry of the Jews. Everywhere the apostle met determined opposition and severe persecution. He desired to bring to his Jewish brethren, as well as to the Gentiles, a knowledge of the gospel, and therefore he sought, so far as was consistent with the faith, to remove every pretext for opposition. Yet while he conceded this much to Jewish prejudice, he believed and taught circumcision or uncircumcision to be nothing and the gospel of Christ everything.

Som en forsigtighedsregel tilrådede Paulus klogelig Timoteus at lade sig omskære ikke fordi Gud krævede det, men for at befri jødernes tanker for noget, som kunne komme til at vække indvendinger mod Timoteus virksomhed for Gud. Under sin gerning måtte Paulus rejse fra by til by i mange forskellige lande, og tit ville han få lejlighed til at prædike Kristus i jødiske synagoger lige så vel som i andre forsamlingshuse. Hvis folk hørte, at en af hans medarbejdere i gerningen var uomskåren, kunne det på grund af jødernes fordom og fanatisme komme til at volde store hindringer. Apostlen mødte alle vegne afgjort modstand og hård forfølgelse. Han ønskede at bringe sine jødiske medbrødre så vel som hedningerne budskabet om evangeliet, og derfor forsøgte han, så vidt det lod sig forene med troen, at fjerne ethvert påskud for modstand. Men skønt han indvilligede i dette på grund af jødernes fordom, både troede og lærte han, at hverken omskærelse eller ikke omskærelse betød noget, men at Kristi evangelium var det afgørende.