Scripture: The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and 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.
Acts 17:10-15 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, having arrived at Thessalonica, Paul and his team attended the local synagogue on three consecutive Sabbath days. Invited to speak, Paul corroborated the Scriptures with the Gospel, sparking some to believe and join their fellowship, along with devout Greeks and influential women. As usual, jealous Jewish leaders conspired against them. Scheming with rabble-rousers, they instigated an uproar against Paul and Silas. But when they could not locate them, they took Jason (Paul and Silas’ host) and other fellowship members, dragged them before the city authorities, and accused them of aiding Paul and Silas, who were turning the world upside down. They further alleged that this sect committed treason against Caesar by declaring that Jesus was their king. Distressed by the magnitude of the charges, the authorities exacted bail from Jason and the others and released them.
Today’s reading chronicles the next leg of Paul and Silas’ second missionary journey: Berea. Those cohorts who escaped the beatings and imprisonment received Paul and Silas but sent them on their way with Timothy at nightfall to Berea under the cloak of darkness. Upon arrival, they encountered a much more hospitable welcome from the Bereans, who Luke notes were eager to examine the Scriptures daily to ascertain the validity of Paul’s claims. Consequently, many came to faith in Christ, including Greek women of high standing and Greek men. But when the Jewish leaders from Thessalonica heard the news, they hurried to Berea to stir up resistance. So the brothers sent Paul by sea to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy behind. Upon arrival, Paul directed those who escorted him to tell Silas and Timothy to meet Paul in Athens, which they did as soon as they received his message.
Of note: Located fifty miles southwest of Thessalonica, Berea (modern Verria) extends across the foothills of the Olympian range. Though it had a large population during biblical times, Berea carried little historical or political significance. However, it was a favorite night-time hideaway for Cicero after conducting government business with the contentious citizens of Thessalonica.
Takeaway: Luke compliments the Bereans for being “more noble” (Greek eugenesteroi) than the Thessalonians. Given the Thessalonians were jealous thugs, it would not take much to exceed their infamous reputation. However, Luke’s distinction focuses on the testing of truth. The Thessalonians judged by political and cultural standards. In contrast, the Bereans turned to the sole source of truth, examining the Scriptures daily to ascertain whether Paul’s teachings aligned with the Torah. Resultantly, many God-fearing Jews and Greeks came to faith. We later learn that one of the converts became a coworker with Paul: Sopater, son of Pyrrhus (Acts 20:4; Romans 16:21). And once again, prominent Greek women embraced the Gospel (v.12).
Still, where the Word of God flourishes, the enemy will seek to divide and conquer. So the rabble-rousers who incited the mob in Thessalonica traveled the two-day journey to undermine the Gospel among the Bereans. But even though the Jews from Thessalonica managed to agitate some of the people, the Bereans converts again demonstrated their noble character and sent Paul to Athens, beyond the reach of these thugs, to ensure the continuation of his mission. Upon arrival, Paul sees the potential for spreading the Gospel in this metropolitan capital and sends a message for Silas and Timothy to come as soon as possible.
Our takeaway? Building on the last two Daily Focus devotions, we continue to see that the Gospel is an invitation to people from all walks of life where there is no distinction between socio-economic status, ethnicity, or gender. We also see a recurring theme of the unstoppable nature of the Gospel. While we read of close calls, key players rise above life-threatening scenarios, and the Gospel flourishes. And the foundation is the Word of God, which we call special revelation: the means of discerning unequivocal and eternal truth through Scripture. General revelation reveals truth through observation and study of the natural elements of our world. This latter means of discovering the truth is always subordinate to special revelation.
Thus, to be of more noble character, we must filter the revelations of the sciences through the lens of God’s Word. But to grow spiritually, we must read, mark, and digest Scripture daily, as did the Bereans. To do so means to apply Scripture’s truth to our lives to transform our thoughts, which leads to behavior changes that shape us more and more into the image of God, thereby glorifying him and growing his kingdom. As we do, like the Bereans, we join forces with those who present the Gospel amid conflict, providing them respite and relief, whether through our prayers, hospitality, financial support, or words of encouragement. And together, we witness the unstoppable nature of godly sacrificial love that presses forward the boundaries of God’s kingdom on earth—indeed, a noble cause!
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who personified your Word and uncompromisingly proclaimed it, even to the point of stirring the Jerusalem crowds to demand his crucifixion. And we thank you for Christian leaders like Paul who followed your Son’s example and laid down their lives to ensure we might possess this special revelation. Still, we confess that we can take your Word for granted, reading it occasionally rather than consuming it daily. So would you please motivate us through your Holy Spirit to develop the noble character of reading, marking, and digesting Scripture so we might grow your kingdom and glorify your name? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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