THEY TRAVELED ON. They went along the Roman military road that crossed Macedonia and Greece to the seaport of Dyrrachium; and resuming at the port of Brundisium on the coast of Italy, continued to Rome itself. Amphipolis was some thirty miles from Philippi (about one day's travel time); Apollonia ab... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE JEWS WERE JEALOUS. As usual, those who did not believe were filled with hatred. AND ATTACKED THE HOME OF JASON. Paul and Silas had been staying with him (Acts 17:7). TO THE CITY AUTHORITIES. IT IS ironic _that Jews_ would go to the Roman authorities and complain that Paul and Silas were prom... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BROTHERS SENT PAUL AND SILAS TO BEREA. Between forty-five and sixty miles west of Thessalonica. THE PEOPLE THERE WERE MORE OPEN-MINDED. They were willing to investigate the claims of Paul and Silas. MANY OF THEM BELIEVED. See note on Acts 17:2. The same types of people were always the first to r... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY CAME THERE. A certain type of Jew followed Paul and tried to destroy the message of Christ. See note on Acts 14:19-20. SENT PAUL AWAY TO THE COAST. _Ramsay_ says Luke often passes over the difficulties and dangers which drove Paul from place to place. Alford says the language implies Paul and t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE PAUL WAS WAITING IN ATHENS. Some think he had intended to wait until the others came, before beginning his work. HE WAS GREATLY UPSET. PAROKSUNETO: burning with anger [righteous indignation]. He saw that they were worshiping what God had created, rather than the Creator himself (_compare_ Roma... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEY TOOK PAUL. _Areopagus_ was the name of both the hill and the group which met there. [Mars-hill is a Latin name applied to it.] This group compared to our Supreme Court, Remember that Athens was the literary capital of the ancient world; the most cultured city; and the place where Romans went... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL STOOD UP. Many seem to think Paul made a great mistake in what he said to this group, and see a resolve never to repeat this error in what he says in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. But this cannot be! Paul was an inspired apostle! Therefore, what he said was proper for this situation. (1) These people we... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME OF THEM MADE FUN OF HIM. Many want to believe that death "ends it all." Some wanted to hear him talk about this again. This does not show any great interest, and Athens does not seem to have been such a great success. However, notice that some did believe, Not bad results from _one_ sermon to p... [ Continue Reading ]