Series: Pauline Letters
Acts 17:10a ESV
Acts 17:10b-15 ESV
I John 4:1-3 ESV
1 Thessalonians 5:16-21 ESV
After spending time in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas headed on down the road to Berea.
As mentioned…they left at night.
We recall there were problems in Thessalonica involving a mob. There were Jews there who were jealous and they stirred up trouble for Paul and Silas who were staying with Jason. When the mob showed up to seize Paul and Silas and they were not there, the authorities seized Jason. In order for him to be released, he had to put up money for his release. Scripture doesn’t say Jason had to pay for his release. Instead it says he had to put up money as security in order for him to be released. Most likely Jason’s security deposit was given to assure there wouldn’t be any more trouble coming from his house.
That’s why Paul and Silas were sent away at night.
Still, traveling at night presented its own set of problems. It seems to me it would be dangerous. There were no street lights. They didn’t have flashlights. The only way they could have any light at all was to stop to build a fire. That brings up the issue of how they could find dry wood at night in the dark. And…how did they start a fire?
As a result of those problems their only option probably was to stay on their horses and ride. But, without a compass how did they know which direction they were going? How did they know how to find Berea? All we know is that they left Thessalonica quickly.
Acts 17:10a, “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.”
We are told in Acts 17:10b-15 they did arrive safely, “when they arrived they went into the
Jewish Synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.”
We see a distinct pattern form on Paul’s journeys from city to city. When he arrived in a new city he went straight to the Jewish Synagogue and he struck up a conversation with Jews who were there.
At first it seemed like the people in Berea were more receptive to Paul’s message. Scripture tells us the people there were “more noble”. In the Koine Greek the word for noble is ‘eugenesteroi’. In the New Living Translation the word used is more “open-minded”. The King James Translation uses the word “fair-minded”. The New Revised Standard defines it as being more “receptive”. The idea we get is that the Jews in Berea were receptive to Paul and Silas and they had open mind to what Paul and Silas had to say. They didn’t have preconceived opinions about Paul’s message.
We are also told they eagerly received the WORD Paul taught. We have to remember once again that before his conversion Paul was a highly educated Hebrew Pharisee. He understood scripture. By utilizing his education and training Paul was able to make a case for Christ. Paul had spent time with the most educated Hebrew scholars in Jerusalem and he had learned from the best.
It’s no wonder that God chose Paul to travel and speak to other Hebrews in other places!
In Berea the missionaries who were receptive and open-minded received the message Paul spoke to them. They listened intently and searched the scriptures for themselves to determine what God said. As a result, they believed.
This section of scripture also tells us there were Greek women present who were women of influence.
Everything seemed to be coming together in Berea for Paul and Silas.
But…here’s the thing. Berea was only 45 miles from Thessalonica. Berea was a smaller community and more than likely travelers who went to Thessalonica for business purposes would tell the news of Paul’s message being preached in Berea.
Sure enough it didn’t take long for the troublemakers in Thessalonica to show up in Berea to stir up trouble there for Paul.
When trouble was brewing the fair and open-minded leaders in Berea feared for Paul’s safety and the sent him off toward the sea. Because Paul wanted the new converts to have the benefit of more teaching, Paul left Silas and Timothy in Berea. Paul trusted God to continue to bless the new believers in Berea.
One of the most remarkable things about the noble people of Berea is that they listened to Paul but they also took time to search the scriptures for themselves. They were intentional about listening to God and searching for the truth of God.
Later, John wrote words that speak to us today advising that all believers will search the scriptures for themselves. Just like the noble men and women of Berea did with Paul.
In I John 4:1-3 he wrote, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.”
Later in Paul’s first letter to the new believers in Thessalonica Paul wrote: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-21).
The believers in Berea were off to a good start. It would have been very difficult for Paul to leave Berea because they had a good reception there and many believed.
It would also have been difficult for Paul to leave his two traveling companions Silas and Timothy behind, but he knew they would be a great help to the new converts! Ultimately, Paul knew he was doing what was best for the new church in Berea.
Spiritual Practice: Hard Decisions
We often have to make difficult choices that we know will not be easy. Praying and leaving the decision in God’s hands is ultimately always best. The next time you are faced with a choice, leave it with God. Trust God to bring good to you.
In God, Deborah
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