Acts 17:10

Observe here, 1. The pious and prudential care which the brethern took of the holy apostles, and the means which they used for their preservation: They presently sent them away unto Berea. The devil seeks nothing so industriously as the lives of the ministers of the gospel; (they making the greatest opposition to him and his kingdom;) but God finds out ways and means for their preservation, to reserve them for further work and future service: The apostles came by night unto Berea.

Observe, 2. St. Paul makes again the Jews' synagogue his preaching place here at Berea, as he had done before at Thessalonica, ver.. and did afterwards at Athens, ver. 17.

O how close did the apostle keep to his commission, to preach Jesus Christ first to the Jews, and to wait upon them with the repeated tender of the gospel, till they put it far from them, and judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, before he turned to the Gentiles.

Observe, 3. The honourable character which the Holy Ghost here gives of these Bereans: They were more noble than those of Thessalonica; that is, of. more ingenuous, mild, and pliable temper of mind; they were not so possessed with prejudice and obstinacy against the gospel; they did not meet it with rage, but thought it worthy their search and serious enquiry; for which they are styled more noble.

Thence learn, That to be of. teachable temper, and tractable towards the gospel of Jesus Christ, is the best sort of gentility and nobleness. The Bereans were better bred, and better descended than the Thessalonians, yet not by civil human dignity, but by spiritual and divine dignation; God gave them this preparation of their heart, and made them differ from their neighbours: These were more noble than those of Thessalonica.

Observe, 4. What it is these Bereans are so highly commended for; namely, for searching the scriptures.

Where note, 1. That the scriptures then were in the vulgar tongue.

2. That as they were in their own tongue, so the laity had them in their own hands.

3. That the common people did read them, and heard them read, searched, and examined them; and yet were so far from censure and blame, that they met with commendation for it from God himself.

From the whole note, That. diligent reading of, and daily searching into, the holy scriptures, is. duty incumbent upon all those in whose hands the scriptures are or may be found. These Christians at Berea searching the scriptures, were. noble pattern for all succeeding Christians to imitate and follow.

Observe, lastly, How the inveterate malice of the unbelieving Jews at Thessalonica pursues the apostles as far as Berea, ver. 13. When the Jews at Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

As Christ sends his ministers, so the devil sends his messengers from place to place; and as the ministers of Christ are never weary of his service for the good of souls, so persecutors are restless, they will compass sea and land to harass and drive the faithful ambassadors of Christ from city to city, and if it were in their power, to banish them out of the world.

Lord! help all thy faithful ministers to execute this piece of holy revenge upon Satan, that we may be even with him for all his malice and spite against us.. let us endeavour to do all the possible service, and the utmost good we can, wherever we come.