CHAPTER 17

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

This testimony of Paul's and Silas's work in Thessalonica reminds one of the problem they faced in Acts 13, when they preached in Antioch in Pisidia. (See the commentary on Acts 13:45-52 at: http://www.linktojesus.org/devotions/44_Acts/CHAPTER_13.html)

Paul stayed true to his purpose:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Rom. 1:16)

As they entered a city, they would first go to the Jewish synagogue and preach the gospel.
They would reason with them "out of the Scriptures" with which the people would be familiar.
And, they showed them how Christ was supposed to suffer according to the Scriptures. (See Isaiah 53:1-12))
And, they showed them how Jesus is THE Christ! (See Isaiah 43:11)

In this town (Thessalonica), SOME of the Jews believed.
Many of the "devout Greeks" believed, and many influential "women" believed.

However, many of the Jews stood on tradition rather than Scripture!
According to their "tradition," Messiah was to come on a great white horse, descending from the air,
conquering the nations, and turning the world over to them to rule!
They OMITTED certain portions of the Scriptures that didn't go along with their traditions! Because of this, Jesus had said to some of them, "Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." (Mark 7:9)

We have some people like that in our world today!
Some believe the tradition that a social life is preeminent, and reject God's Word concerning abortion.
Some believe in the tradition of homosexuality, and reject God's Word concerning the evil of it.
And, those people will cause an "uproar" if the Word of God is spoken correctly!!
That's what happened in Thessalonica.

Verse 5 says, the unbelievers caused an "UPROAR!"
They got together a group of "lewd fellows of the baser sort" and "assaulted the house of Jason" (a believer).
Their intent was to grab Paul and Silas and "bring them out to the people" (possibly for stoning)!
But they didn't find Paul and Silas, so they dragged Jason and some of his household out! (verse 6)
They were brought before the "rulers" and accused them of "turn(ing) the world upside down!"

It is a truth that more people love sin than love God!
It is a truth that those incensed by their sin, will speak AGAINST God!
They will also rail against the immortal Truth and cause an "uproar" with any who speak the truth!

However, Christians are to be"speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15) because,
".. the love of Christ constraineth us;"!(2Cor. 5:14)
That's what Paul and company did.
That's what we should do!

9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

The "rulers" took "security" of Jason and of some of the group that were with him.
They but a "bond" on them to keep Paul and company from speaking publicly!

So, the "brethren" sent Paul and Silas away that evening.
Paul and Silas went to "Berea," a city in Macedonia.
The city is now in Turkey.

Again, they followed the same pattern, going to the synagogue first.

The Jews in Berea were "more noble" than those in Thessalonica.
The word "noble" is translated from the Greek eugenes (yoo ge' nace).
That word is sometimes used to reflect people of higher rank, or more noble birth.
However, here it is used to refer to the character of the people.
They were more apt to HEAR, REFLECT, and SEARCH out truth than to simply reject it because of "traditions."

Therefore, they "received the word with all readiness of mind," and
"searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
As a result, "many of them believed!"

When the truth of Christ is shown in the Scripture, and
people diligently seek to see that truth,
they WILL believe!

When you study the Word of God be "noble" enough to HEAR, REFLECT and SEARCH out the truth!
Remember, sometimes God's truth contradicts the "traditions" of men!

13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

See how the disciples move according to the acceptance of the people.
When they are received, they remain and teach.
When they are rejected, they leave and find another place to preach & teach!

Those Jews back in Thessalonica were "incensed" with their sin, and caused an "uproar!"
When they heard that Paul & Silas were in Berea, they came there and caused ANOTHER "uproar!"

However, the "brethren" (fellow Christians) sent Paul toward the sea, and then Paul went to Athens.
Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea.

Those "brethren" who helped Paul escape and go to Athens returned with a call for Silas and Timothy to join Paul there.
So, Silas and Timothy "departed" immediately.

What would cause Paul to send for Silas and Timothy with "all speed?"

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

Paul's spirit was stirred by God's Holy Spirit!
He saw a city totally given to the worship of fruitless gods!
His heart was broken as he saw the people worshipping idols made with their own hands!

Let me just say this:
Idol worship originates with self worship!
When man wants nothing above him that he cannot control, then he invents a god to whom he can dictate!

Paul knew there was no salvation in these inventions of man's depraved minds!

Paul had just been conducted from two towns consecutively for fear of his life.
Yet, here in Athens, he sees (by the Spirit of God) the situation so deplorable that he MUST act immediately!

17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

The word "disputed" is translated from the Greek dialegomai (dee-al-eg'-om-ahee). That word means to reason with, or to preach unto.

Paul, again, began with the Jews in the synagogue; then
moved onto those prominent people in the marketplace.

Take note of these who encountered Paul.
The Epicureans were followers of the philosopher (of sorts) Epicurus who taught in Athens until his death in 270BC.
Epicurus' philosophy dealt with only two questions:
What is the AIM of life? (Man's happiness)
And, how does man ACHIEVE it? (How to avoid the pains of life and achieve self-contentment.)

Epicurus did not deny the gods, he simply wanted to explain them with philisophical statements.

The Stoics were followers of Zeno who also taught in Athens and died in 264BC.
These followers founded the "painted porch" of Athens.
They believed the law of nature was reason which was the principle of intelligence in man.
They proposed that all of nature was the divine.
They refuted the forms of popular religions and defended their piety toward nature as god.

Both these sects took pride in their philosophy and logic.
They desired to hear "new thing(s)".

((Logical reasoning and philosophical meandering will never believe in someone or something which cannot be felt, heard, seen, smelled or touched!
Therefore, men are the creators of their own gods, and do not appropriately fathom being created by ONE GOD!
For instance, there was a college professor (who did not believe in God).
He stood in glass one day and asked, "Have you ever SEEN God?"
"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus... in fact, do you have any sensory perception of your God whatsoever?"
One student stood to the test.
He said, "Tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"
Professor, "If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."
Student, "Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"
The professor makes a sucking sound with his teeth and gives his student a silent, stony stare.
Student, "Professor. Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a priest?"
To conclude, the student turned to the class.
He asked, "Has anyone ever SEEN the professor's brain?"
"NO!" answered the whole class.
He continued the question, "Has anyone here ever smelled, tasted, touched or felt the professor's brain?"
Another resounding "NO!" from the class.
Finally the student says, "Well, according to the rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science, I DECLARE that the professor has no brain."))

It is only when we allow sensory perception and logic to be stimulated by the Spirit of the Living God that we can fathom the myteries of reality!!

Even though they felt Paul was a "babbler" (seed-picker, sponger, loafer), they called him to the "Areopagus," or more commonly known as Mars Hill (See verse 22).
This was where many influential "teachers" sat expounding their philosphies and listening to others do the same.

The REASON they called Paul there was because he was teaching "Jesus, and the resurrection!"
None of them believed in ONE god.
And most of them never even heard of a resurrection and final judgment.
To them, it seemed preposterous that man's dead body could be raised and given immortality.

But what they were about to hear would seem even MORE preposterous!

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Paul said he believed they were "too superstitious" -- too religious.
They were so focused on the forms of religion that they had no real format of religion!

Paul said he had found an altar with the inscription: "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD."
They had placed that altar just in case they MISSED one!

The REAL God was "unknown" by them!
Paul began to discuss the REAL God.

He said God MADE the world and all things! (Verse 24)
Further, He said, God does not dwell in temples made by men! (Verse 24)
God is not even worshipped by the things made by men's hands! (Verse 24)
God NEEDS NOTHING! (Verse 25)

He has given all mankind life, breath and everthing in the world. (Verse 25)
He has also made all nations from one blood, and has established the "boundaries" of the nations! (Verse 26)
In other words, God controls at His own discretion, the rise and fall of nations!

God's purpose in the creation of mankind is that they should "haply feel after Him, and FIND Him!" (verse 27)
It is only in the sustaining power of God that we "live and move, and have our being!" (Verse 28)

Paul alluded to the philosopher's own poets who said, "...we are also HIS offspring!" (Verse 28)
Paul had been raised in Cilicia, and had a good knowledge of the Greek poets.
Here he quoted a famous Greek poet named Aratus who wrote "The Phoenomena," a great poem with which all these philosophers would be familiar.

God is not to be likened by the use of "gold, silver, or stone." (Verse 29)
And God is not to be "graven by art and man's device."
Paul not only was familiar with their culture, he was very well-versed in the Scriptures! (See Exodus 20:3-5)

The word "winked" is translated from the Greek hupereido (hoop-er-i'-do) (Verse 30).
And, it means God overlooked this action; and, though it seemed unpunished, never went without God's condemnation!
And, now, this "ignorance" is passed with the full revelation of God in the Messiah Jesus!
It is by HIM (Jesus) that God will judge the world! (Verse 31)
And, the day of judgment is ALREADY SET!!
NO MAN may escape it!

Christ is not only the impending Judge of all mankind, He is the ONLY Savior!
Only He can justify a sinful man in the sight of God! (See Romans 3:20-24)

Very briefly, Paul has imparted the knowledge of Christ to those who were knowledgeable of everthing BUT Christ!
And, he stops there, leaving them to do what they say they do: THINK!

32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Some of those gathered on Mars Hill "mocked" Paul.
But some said they would listen to him again.
And, SOME, "believed!"

The truth of the Gospel of Christ is given so that men "might believe." (See John 1:7 and John 20:31)

This does not mean they are demanded to believe.
Neither does it mean that all WILL believe.
However, the truth of God's Gospel of Christ is given that they may be enabled to believe if they THINK!

The Bible, of which I write, has NEVER been proven wrong - even in ONE verse!
And, if a truly THINKING man will study the Bible, he will be enabled by God's Holy Spirit to
"....know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

The truth is God came in the Person of Jesus to FREE men from the condemnation of self-worship!
He paid Holy blood for unholy man.
And He calls unholy men to a Holy God!

Are you LISTENING?
Are you THINKING?

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
BACK TO INDEX OF DEVOTIONS