College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Acts 17:10-14
AT BEREA. Acts 17:10 b - Acts 17:14 a.
unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogues of the Jews.
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.
Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.
And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea:
Acts 17:10 b As usual, we notice how lightly Luke passes over the difficulties and dangers which drove Paul from place to place. The night journey of fifty or sixty miles is passed over without a word. Even though there were several rivers to cross and many other dangers on this mountain road not a sentence is given in allusion to it. The town of Berea is off the Egnatian Way in a southerly direction. It is suggested by some that Paul resorted to this out-of-the-way town in order to escape the pursuit of the Jews.
We must not conclude as we read these accounts of preaching and persecutions that Paul had no feelings on these matters, for we read in I Thessalonians that the apostle considered the Thessalonians as receiving the word in much affliction and in this same letter he alludes to his being shamefully treated at Philippi.
Acts 17:11 But if the life of the Christian missionary has its own breaths of gloom, it also has its lights, and after all the storms which they had encountered they were cheered in their heaviness by a most encouraging reception.
Here in Berea they found a group of Jews who actually acted like civilized beings. Maybe it was because they were away from the city and its conceits, or because they had better leaders, or for many other supposed reasons. At any cause, instead of prejudice and bitterness Paul and Silas received interest and consideration. The interpretation placed upon the Old Testament prophecies by Paul were daily taken home to be compared with the scripture text. They read anew and with a new meaning these treasured words. There could only be one result to this type of procedure. Many of them therefore believed.
Acts 17:12 The stay in Berea must have run into two or three months, as it was late fall or early winter when they arrived. This is learned by a knowledge of when travel was possible in these parts. Sir William Ramsey suggests that Paul preached in the town of Berea in some kind of public place for the hearing of the Greeks and in this way the women of honorable estate, and of the men, not a few came to believe. Others would place the Greeks as interested listeners in the synagogue services. Be that as it may, there were a substantial number of Greek converts, and among them some men and women of influence.
Acts 17:13-14 a From Berea once and again Paul had a great desire to revisit Thessalonica and see how the Kingdom fared in that place. But for some unknown reason he was hindered from doing so. Somehow, although Paul did not reach Thessalonica, word of his preaching did. The Jews in Thessalonica were like Saul of old yet breathing threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, and as Saul had pursued them to foreign cities, they pursued Paul to Berea.
The method of opposition was very similar to that at Thessalonica and it was equally as successful. Almost identical words used by Luke in discussing the departure from the two towns. Timothy and Silas were to stay in Berea and carry on the work of Christ. It seems that the hatred of the Jews was centered in Paul and his preaching and not with these other two. We might also say that word was being expected daily from the brethren in Thessalonica and Paul was very anxious to hear of their state. Timothy remained in Berea to receive this word.
Why was it that others accompanied the apostle wherever he went? Some say it was because of the weakness of his body, and to go alone would constitute a real danger. This surely cannot be unquestionably verified. It could have been that they were blessed by his company. I know I would have been. At any rate, he was taken to the seaport near Berea and there a ship was secured to Athens. The brethren from Berea sailed with him all the way to Athens. (Sopater could have been among them.)
630.
How does the statement all things are lawful; but not all things are expedient apply here?
631.
Who was left behind?
632.
How far was the night journey to Beroea?
633.
How did the apostle say they received the word in Thessalonica?
634.
What encouragement did they receive in Beroea?
635.
How long were they in Beroea? How do you know?
636.
According to Ramsey how were the Greek converts made?
637.
What great desire did Paul have while here?
638.
Of what do you think the pursuit of these Jews reminded Paul?
639.
How could Timothy and Silas stay in the town and be free of persecution?
640.
What was being expected daily as they were in Beroea?
641.
Why did Paul have someone with him wherever he went?
642.
Who was Sopater?