Sunday, 4 June 2023
Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. Acts 17:14
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In the previous verse, the Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea and stirred up the crowds there. With that remembered, it next says, “Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away.”
It is obviously Paul that the Jews had the problem with. Thus, in order to calm things down, the believers there knew it would be expedient to remove him from the area. His life, or at least his freedom, would be in jeopardy if he remained. And so, sending him out of the area was the proper avenue to take. This they did without any delay. However, they didn’t just walk him out of the city on a trek down the best Roman road. Rather, in conducting him, it was “to go to the sea.”
There is a slight variation in the reading of texts here. Some read heós (ἕως) while others read hós (ὡς). With this variation, the text will either read “as it were to the sea” or “as far as the sea.” In the first, it would be a feinting maneuver where they pretended to go to the sea but then conducted him on the road to Athens. If the latter, it would mean they took him all the way to the sea where they would sail to Athens.
However, even the first could read, “even to the sea.” This appears more likely as there is nothing said of any stops between Berea and Athens. But the distance between the two is so great that not mentioning such stops seems unlikely. Either way, however, these men conducted Paul either from Berea to the sea and then to Athens by ship, or they pretended to go to Athens by ship and then accompanied him all the way to Athens.
The important point of this is that they would be far enough away from the miscreant Jews to not have them hounding him from town to town. The distance between the two is somewhere around four hundred miles. With this having taken place, it next says, “but both Silas and Timothy remained there.”
This makes it obvious that Paul was the object of the Jews’ disfavor. These two men could stay and continue to teach those in Berea without the trouble that Paul brought. They would also be close to Thessalonica and could quickly travel there to check on the church.
As for Timothy, he has not been mentioned since Acts 16:1. However, it is obvious that he came with Paul as he traveled. This is certain at least as far as Philippi. However, it is likely that he went with Paul and Silas all the way, but he was not mentioned because Paul and Silas were the main focus of the narrative until this point. With Paul gone to Athens, Timothy is now mentioned in a prominent role along with Silas.
Life application: Although it is speculation, the words of this verse give us an indication that Paul required others to be with him. He speaks of an affliction that he had in 2 Corinthians 12. One speculation is that his eyes were poor. Whether this or something else, it is seen throughout Acts and even in his epistles that he is normally accompanied by others. In this verse, he is conducted by others out of the city and even to Athens.
Supposing it is true that he had an affliction that necessitated others to tend to him. Is that a cause of shame? To Paul, it obviously was not. His reliance on others allowed them to tend to him. Thus, both benefitted through the interactions that these people willingly participated in.
Quite often, we want to carry the heavy loads of life all by ourselves, but the Bible would teach us otherwise. Solomon speaks of this –
“Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Let us be willing to allow others the honor and privilege of helping us out when the need arises. At the same time, let us not be a burden on others by having them carry our loads unnecessarily. Taking advantage of others is never a good thing. So, let us have balance in our lives as we interact with others, blessing them according to our abilities and our limitations.
Lord God, thank You for those people who come into our lives and bless us with their presence, help, and encouragement. May we be prompted to reach out today and give them a word of thanks and blessing for their kindness toward us. Amen.