Author: Charlie Garrett

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

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.

Big brass doors. Washington State Capitol.

Saturday, 3 June 2023

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Acts 17:13

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, it said that many in Berea believed. Now the narrative continues, starting with, “But when the Jews from Thessalonica.” Berea is said to be 45 miles southwest of Thessalonica. Today, that would be a quick drive, but at the time of Acts, it would take a couple of days to travel the distance.

We are not told how the word got back to those at Thessalonica, but it is probable Paul and Silas stayed at Berea for some time once converts had been made. The word about the conversion of people would naturally be passed along and nothing sinister should be inferred. However, for the most part, the Jews in Thessalonica had rejected the gospel and caused the city to get stirred up. With this remembered, it next says they “learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea.”

The NKJV skips over a necessary conjunction. It more rightly says, “learned that the word of God was preached by Paul also in Berea.” This would have gotten their dander up. They probably thought that with Paul and Silas having been run out of town, that would be the end of their preaching. However, not only were there believers in Thessalonica because of them, but they were also now making converts in Berea.

The Jews’ sphere of influence was dwindling because of the evangelism of these men. And so, with apparently nothing better to do than to cause trouble elsewhere, it next says that “they came there also and stirred up the crowds.” Rather, the verb is a present participle. The clause reads, “they came there also, stirring up the crowds.”

The word translated as stirring up, saleuó, is found in the Greek translation of the Old Testament where it refers to the stirring up of the oceans. This is what these people were like. They went among the multitudes and were stirring them up and causing trouble because of their jealousy concerning the success of the gospel.

The irony of the matter is that they were working against the Messiah whom they said they were waiting for. But a Messiah who came to die for the sins of the people meant that they were sinful people. In their arrogance, they rejected this premise. Their idea of a Messiah is one that would welcome them in their state of supposed superiority and elevate them above the world of Gentiles among whom they dwelt.

Life application: Today, it is easier to cause trouble for others than ever before. If someone proclaims a message that offends others, he can be hounded by those who don’t like what they hear.

For example, if you are a preacher in a church who has made such enemies, they can hack your church website and fill it with vile material. They can give poor ratings or reviews on various sites that provide evaluations of companies, products, churches, restaurants, etc. They can say harmful things on YouTube videos. The inventiveness of people to harm others is almost limitless. One must be prepared to take such things in stride and continue to proclaim the truth of the gospel with proper theology and sound doctrine.

There is often little you can do about such people, so you must be consistent and demonstrate that they are the miscreants by your continued proper proclamation of the word of God. It was not easy for Paul and Silas, it was not easy for those who spoke against the abuses of the church throughout the past millennia, and it is not easy today. These things must be expected. But press on as best you can. The Lord is building his church despite such agitators.

Lord God, be with Your people through the many trials that arise. When sound pastors and preachers are attacked because of their sound doctrine and proclamation of the gospel, reassure them in their hearts and lives. Bless the work of their hands because it is the work You have set forth for them to do. Be glorified in Your people, O God. Amen.

Capital building, Washington State.

Friday, 2 June 2023 

Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. Acts 17:12

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The NKJV changes the structure of the second clause so that it does not reflect the Greek. The verse more precisely reads, “Many, indeed, therefore, of them believed, and of the prominent Greek women, and men, not a few” (CG). This will be used in the evaluation.

The previous verse noted the eagerness of the Bereans to examine the Scriptures daily to find out whether the words of Paul and Silas were true or not. As a result, it now says, “Many, indeed, therefore, of them believed.”

Though a little clunky in the English translation, the words carefully provide the result of what was just stated –

They “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
“Many, indeed, therefore, of them believed.”

Instead of just hearing Paul on the Sabbath and then going home like the Thessalonian synagogue, these people went each day to search out what they had heard. Because of their diligent effort, the result was exactly what one would expect. The Scriptures pointed to Jesus. Jesus had come. In comparing what Scripture prophesied with what Paul proclaimed, they came to the obvious conclusion that the words of Paul were correct and that the gospel was true. From there, it next says, “and of the prominent Greek women.”

The word translated as prominent is the same as that used in Acts 13:50. It is affixed to the women, not to the men next to be mentioned, just as it was in Acts 13 –

“But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.”

The word itself is derived from two words signifying “well” and “form.” Thus, it means well-fashioned or well-formed. HELPS Word Studies notes that it “is used in Koine Greek of a person who properly uses influence, especially by serving in a high (respected) position.”

Many translations incorrectly affix the word to both the women and the men. But the intent is that these women were influential, perhaps connected with ranking families in the society. Along with them, it next says, “and men, not a few.”

These were probably mostly proselytes, but there could be some that were talked to by Paul and Silas during the week and who then came to the synagogue to continue to hear what they had to say. Whoever these people were, it says that they believed.

The main point of the words is that there was a large number of both Jews and Greeks who believed, including influential women among them. This can all be attributed to the leadership of the synagogue. Unlike Thessalonica, there was a true desire to search out Scripture that had to have come from one man or a few men who truly desired to know the truth concerning the words of Scripture. Without being named, it is a testimony to the integrity of the person or people who led the synagogue.

Life application: The leadership in a church will direct its heart for the word. If a pastor is passionate about the Bible, those who attend will be as well. Those who are not passionate about it will simply not attend. Instead, they will go looking for a church that suits their preferences. However, those who stay and continue will do so because they appreciate his zeal for Scripture. Thus, they will naturally be geared toward doing their own daily studies, talking about the word, sharing the word, etc.

If you love the Bible and are looking around for a church to attend in your area, you should not be satisfied until you find one that will fill your desire. If you start attending a church that is weak in this area, you may eventually find your zeal for the word waning. Don’t let this happen to you. Keep close to the word, attend where it is properly taught, and keep the fire alive by doing your own reading each and every day. It is your roadmap along life’s highway, so use it to keep you going in the right direction!

What a wonderful and precious word You have given to us, O God. Thank You for it. Help us to always stick close to it and to grow in our knowledge of its contents as each new day arrives. Yes, Lord God, thank You for Your magnificent and superior word. Amen.

Washington Capitol Panorama

Thursday, 1 June 2023

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:11

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous verse detailed Paul and Silas having traveled to Berea and their going into the synagogue of the Jews upon their arrival. With that remembered, it next says, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica.”

The NKJV, following after the KJV, omits a necessary conjunction. It should read, “And these,” “Now these,” or something similar. “And these were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica.” As for the word “fair-minded,” it is eugenes, translated as noble, but signifying “well born.” Using “fair-minded” is more of a paraphrase than a translation, even if the thought is properly conveyed.

These people in Berea were brought up properly and told not to just trust what they first heard but were to instead check for themselves. In other words, they were not gullible, but they were also not dismissive. In Thessalonica, some of the Jews were persuaded, but there were a great many Greeks who came to believe.

As Paul had clearly reasoned from the Scriptures, and as the majority of the Jews there did not believe, it indicates their dismissive attitude toward what was clearly presented in their writings. On the contrary, concerning those in Berea, it next says, “in that they received the word with all readiness.”

The words “in that” are not in the original and should be italicized. It simply says, “they received the word with all readiness.” They obviously listened to Paul and absorbed what he said, not being dismissive of what he presented. That is the first part of the necessary equation for being noble. The second part is that after hearing, they then “searched the Scriptures.”

The word searched should read examined. It is the Greek word anakrinó. It signifies to examine, investigate, or question. This is unlike Jesus’ words of John 5:39 –

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

There, the word is ereunaó. It signifies to search or seek. In Berea, Paul told them what the Scriptures said. There was no need to search. Rather, if Paul said, “The prophet Isaiah said xxx,” they would go to Isaiah and examine if Paul was correct or not.

They were not dismissive of hearing, but they were also not gullible in accepting. After hearing, they went to the source of their faith, and they checked out if what Paul had said matched what God had told them in the law, prophets, and writings. This shows care about getting to the truth of the matter. It also demonstrates a willingness to not be haughty or arrogant in matters they had not previously considered, dismissing things as if they already knew it all. And more, they did it “daily.”

After hearing Paul’s words on the Sabbath, they didn’t just say, “We’ll hear more next Sabbath,” which is exactly what is implied concerning those at Thessalonica –

“Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” Acts 17:2

Rather, those in Berea decided to come back each day, probably either before or after a long day of work, and they continued to search and contemplate what Paul had said. This shows a caliber of person who truly wants to know the truth of the word. They did this “to find out whether these things were so.” Of this, Albert Barnes gives four sound reasons for their actions –

(1) That it is proof of true nobleness and liberality of mind to be willing to examine the proofs of the truth of religion. What the friends of Christianity have had most cause to lament and regret is, that so many are unwilling to examine its claims; that they spurn it as unworthy of serious thought, and condemn it without hearing.

(2) the Scriptures should be examined daily. If we wish to arrive at the truth, they should be the object of constant study. That man has very little reason to expect that he will grow in knowledge and grace who does not peruse, with candor and with prayer, a portion of the Bible every day.

(3) the constant searching of the Scriptures is the best way to keep the mind from error. He who does not do it daily may expect to ‘be carried about with every wind of doctrine,’ and to have no settled opinions.

(4) the preaching of ministers should be examined by the Scriptures. Their doctrines are of no value unless they accord with the Bible. Every preacher should expect his doctrines to be examined in this way, and to be rejected if they are not in accordance with the Word of God.

Albert Barnes is correct in his analyses and each of us would do well to pay heed to the lesson of those in Berea.

Life application: If there is a God, and there is every logical reason to believe there is, then the most important thing a man can ever do is learn about Him. If God has revealed Himself through some sort of communication, then it is man’s responsibility to consider what He is saying.

God has revealed Himself through creation, communicating things about Himself through a process we call general revelation. God has generally revealed Himself to us so that we can consider Him and His nature. David touches on this in the 19^th Psalm. Paul writes about it in Romans. The book of Job and elsewhere convey this to us as well.

The wise person will consider what God has done and be grateful to Him for the provision He provides, the beauty He offers, the order and harmony of things that allow us to use the creation for our benefit, etc.

But God has done more than offer a general way for us to consider Him. He has also specifically revealed Himself to us through His word. We call this special revelation. God has purposefully and specifically revealed Himself through speaking to and through prophets, communicating to us what we need to know to have a close and personal relationship with Him.

The wise person will go beyond simply acknowledging this and will determine to read this word, study it, defend it, proclaim it, and so on. The wise person will make this word the central focus of his life because Jesus is the central focus of this word. Jesus is God’s special revelation par excellence. He is the point, purpose, and meaning of all aspects of God’s word. Therefore, to properly know God, one must know Jesus Christ. And to know Jesus Christ, one must know the words of the Bible that tell us of Jesus Christ. Read your Bible. Know your Bible. Find Jesus in God’s precious and sacred word!

Glorious Lord God, help us to use our time wisely, searching out who You are and what You are like through the ways You have revealed Yourself to us. May we not squander our time in futility, but consider You at all times, especially when we intimately fellowship with You through Your word. Yes, may it be so, to Your glory. Amen.

Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Acts 17:10

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, security was taken from Jason and those with him, and they were released. Now, it continues, saying, “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away.”

This may have been something mentioned by those who held their bail. Part of the conditions may have been to get Paul and Silas out of Jason’s house, or it could be that they were to hand them over to the city leaders; but to avoid that, they sent them away. It could also just be that they knew Paul and Silas were targets of the Jews and wanted to keep them from being harmed.

The latter reason, because it is so similar to Paul’s other interactions with disbelieving Jews, seems most likely. However, regardless of the reason, Paul and Silas were immediately sent away, “by night.”

The Greek reads, dia nyktos, through night. Under the cover of night, they were sent out of the area. This is not unlike what occurred in Acts 9 –

“Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. ²⁴ But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. ²⁵ Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.” Acts 9:23-25

In sending Paul and Silas away, it next says that it was “to Berea.” The name Berea comes from the word peran, meaning “over,” “on the other side,” or “beyond.” Thus, it is the region beyond the coastline. Of this location, Wikipedia says –

“Berea was in southwestern Macedonia. The city’s foundation stood where Veria, or Kar-Verria, in Greece is today. It is a unique position [and] has had a variety of terrain surrounding the city since then.

Berea sat at the base of Mount Bermius, which is part of the Vermio Mountains and provides an ample supply of water for the city and the region. The main sources of water were the Haliacmon and Axios Rivers, which supported apple, peach and pear orchards. The area is prosperous with a hydroelectric dam on the Haliacmon powering the area’s industrial sector.”

With that noted, it next says, “When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.”

This is Paul’s standard way of entering into a new city, at least as far as Luke’s focus is concerned. Nothing else is recorded concerning their arrival and time in Berea until he goes to the synagogue. It shows that Paul’s main focus was to first bring the word to his own people and any proselytes who were there. From that point, he could then continue to branch out in his evangelistic efforts.

It also shows that, despite repeated attacks from his own people, he was willing to continue to evangelize them. It reflects the attitude of his words to those in Rome. Paul desperately wanted his own countrymen to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. He was willing to expend himself and even place his life in danger to do so.

Life application: It would be an argument from silence to say that Paul did not speak to any Gentiles before going into the synagogue in Berea. Luke’s focus for the narrative is to show that Paul was always willing to go into the synagogue and share his faith with them as his top priority.

However, if Paul and Silas arrived in Berea on a Tuesday, they would have several days until the Sabbath to talk to others. It is unlikely they would have said, “No, we have to wait to give the good news to the synagogue first.” Rather, they would have spoken to whomever as the occasion arose. The focus of the narrative is to highlight Paul’s modus operandi, not to give a complete record of everything he and Silas did.

As you read the Bible, be sure to contemplate why things are recorded as they are. A single turn of the page can be a jump ahead in time of weeks, months, or even years. Innumerable things are skipped over because they are not relevant to the narrative. Consider the main focus of what God is conveying to you and think about His reasons for doing so. This is a great help in understanding why things are laid out as they are.

Heavenly Father, may our time in Scripture be a time of fellowshipping with You, understanding Your mind as it is revealed to us, and as a light and guide for our own lives as we draw nearer and nearer to You. Help us to consider Your word as being a guide for humanity to understand You and our relationship with You. Thank You for the coming of Jesus, O God, who then makes all this clear and understandable. Amen.