As a kid I can remember my precious grandfather teasing me when I would try to mimic something he was doing. He would say in a sing-song voice, "Monkey see, monkey do." It would always make me laugh and then copy his antics even more.
Paul is experiencing a dilemma because He knows that it is no longer necessary for believers to observe many of the practices the Jews performed as part of Moses' teaching. Jesus' arrival on the scene freed men from sacrifice of animals and other exercises of that time, like circumcision. Paul doesn't want to alienate the people by rejecting the Law of Moses; he does not want his actions to be a stumbling block for others to believe.
Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. (Acts 21:24)
Paul was obedient to God's nudging. He was filled with the Holy Spirit thereby enabling him to know what to do. He did not compromise his beliefs but loved the people enough to act in a way they would understand. Paul's behavior enabled the new followers to embrace his teachings. My grandfather's actions encouraged me to follow in this footsteps, so too did Paul's - only on a much grander scale.
Read the Acts 21:15-26 text here.
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