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Fraevo63
Guest
I understand why Saint Paul circumcised Timothy, but how would the Jewish bretheren have “proof” as to whether or not he was circumcised?
How would the Jewish Christians know that Timothy was circumcised?
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Zaccheus
Guest
This is only my opinion but presumably they could ask. Or the event was public knowledge.
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Gorgias
Guest
I’m going to put this as delicately as possible…
when a grown man is circumcised, chances are his absence from public view if not his gait when he’s walking around, will be a dead giveaway as to the procedure he’s endured. I’m guessing the community would know, and would be able to give witness to, based on what they had gleaned with their own eyes.
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LawyersGunsAndMoney
Guest
People( at least, non-rich urban dwellers) didn’t generally have private bathrooms in those days. Most men probably just hitched up their robes and peed into the bushes if there were no women around. People also bathed communally. It’s not crazy to think that people had seen his penis in that context.
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Zaccheus
Guest
…Too Much Information. 
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GiftofMercy
Guest
I will add to this, archaeology has given us some great examples of toilet systems found in ancient Rome, and in the diggings at Qumran, the Essene community responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The ancient Roman system was considered a luxurious state of the art system. It consisted of 2 stone rows of seats with holes cut out of them, and a drainage system below. People sat side by side. A stream of water was diverted through a gutter on the floor of this system, so after people were finished, they could refresh themselves. Privacy was not a virtue, or issue to be considered in the ancient world, as exemplified by this system.
Graffiti and signs have been found, one in Pompeii, outside a shop. It states ‘do not go here’. Rome and its outposts were continually attempting to legislate good bathroom practices that included discerning better places to go rather then randomly picking an immediate spot as the urge took hold.
The ancient Roman system was considered a luxurious state of the art system. It consisted of 2 stone rows of seats with holes cut out of them, and a drainage system below. People sat side by side. A stream of water was diverted through a gutter on the floor of this system, so after people were finished, they could refresh themselves. Privacy was not a virtue, or issue to be considered in the ancient world, as exemplified by this system.
Graffiti and signs have been found, one in Pompeii, outside a shop. It states ‘do not go here’. Rome and its outposts were continually attempting to legislate good bathroom practices that included discerning better places to go rather then randomly picking an immediate spot as the urge took hold.
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LawyersGunsAndMoney
Guest
Hey, can’t talk about circumcision without talking about the ol’ twig and berries.…Too Much Information.
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Gorgias
Guest
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Dan_Defender
Guest
It is my understanding that the skin cut off was kept in a small container as part of the ritual, so that would be enough ‘proof’.
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Nita
Guest
Acts 16
No doubt word of mouth (Paul, Timothy, Timothy’s Jewish mother, …) and it would have been recorded in the Jewish records , just as Baptism recipients are recorded in the Catholic parish records. Again, those involved with the records no doubt also spread the word. Wouldn’t take long before everyone would have known it , especially as Paul had become a rather controversial figure among the Jews after his conversion to Christianity.
No doubt word of mouth (Paul, Timothy, Timothy’s Jewish mother, …) and it would have been recorded in the Jewish records , just as Baptism recipients are recorded in the Catholic parish records. Again, those involved with the records no doubt also spread the word. Wouldn’t take long before everyone would have known it , especially as Paul had become a rather controversial figure among the Jews after his conversion to Christianity.
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