XVII: 1. Luke now drops the pronoun of the first person, in which he has spoken of the apostolic company since they left Troas, and resumes the third person, which shows that he remained in Philippi after the departure of Paul and Silas. He also speaks of the these two brethren as if they constitute... [ Continue Reading ]
XVII: 1. Luke now drops the pronoun of the first person, in which he has spoken of the apostolic company since they left Troas, and resumes the third person, which shows that he remained in Philippi after the departure of Paul and Silas. He also speaks of the these two brethren as if they constitute... [ Continue Reading ]
2, 3. (2) "_And according to Paul's custom, he went in to them, and for three Sabbath days disputed with from the Scriptures,_ (3) _opening them, and setting forth that it was necessary that the Christ should suffer, and arise from the dead, and that this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ._... [ Continue Reading ]
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4. The effect of arguments and demonstrations so conclusive, accompanied by a private life so irreproachable, was quite decisive. (4) "_Some of them believed, and adhered to Paul and Silas; of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few._" In this description the parties ar... [ Continue Reading ]
5-9. Such a movement among the devout Gentiles, whose presence at the synagogue worship was a source of pride to the Jews, was exceedingly mortifying to those Jews who obstinately remained in unbelief. Their number and popular influence in Thessalonica enabled them to give serious trouble to Paul an... [ Continue Reading ]
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10. Such was the state of feeling in the city that Paul and Silas saw no prospect of accomplishing good by further efforts, while the attempt would have been hazardous to the lives of brethren. (10) "_Then the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night, to Berea; who, when they arrived,... [ Continue Reading ]
11. We have now, at last, the pleasure of seeing one Jewish community listen to the truth and examine it like rational beings. (11) "_Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all readiness of mind, searching the Scriptures daily to see if these things w... [ Continue Reading ]
12. If the claims of Jesus are false, an honest and thorough investigation of them is the best way to prove them so. If they are true, such an investigation will be certain to convince us and to bless us. With the Bereans, the logical result of a daily investigation is stated thus: (12) "_Therefore,... [ Continue Reading ]
13, 14. There seemed to be no serious obstacle to the gospel in Berea, and the disciples may have begun to flatter themselves with the hope that the whole city would turn to the Lord, when an unexpected enemy sprung upon them from the rear. (13) "_But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that the word... [ Continue Reading ]
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15-17. (15) "_Now they who conducted Paul led him to Athens; and having received a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as quickly as possible, they departed._ (16) _And while he was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was roused within him, when he saw the city given to... [ Continue Reading ]
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18. By efforts so persistent he succeeded in attracting some attention from the idle throng, but it was of a character, at first, not very flattering. (18) "_The certain of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him, and some said, What will this babbler say? And others, He seems to be a p... [ Continue Reading ]
19-21. Notwithstanding the contempt with which Paul was regarded by some of his hearers, he succeeded in arresting the serious attention of a few. (19) "_And they took him and led him to the Areopagus, saying, Can we know what this new doctrine is, of which you speak?_ (20) _For you are bringing som... [ Continue Reading ]
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22-31. After persevering, but necessarily disconnected conversational efforts on the streets, Paul has now an audience assembled for the special purpose of hearing him, and may present his theme in a more formal manner. He has now an audience of Jews and proselytes, but an assembly of demon-worshipe... [ Continue Reading ]
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32, 33. (32) "_And when they heard of a resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear you again concerning this matter._ (33) _So Paul departed from among them._" There are two strange features in the conduct of this audience. _First,_ That they listened so patiently while Pau... [ Continue Reading ]
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34. Although his discourse terminated amid the mockery of a portion of his audience, the apostle's effort was not altogether fruitless. (34) "_But certain men followed him and believed; among whom were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them._" We find, however, no... [ Continue Reading ]