Welcome and Introduction

The Aftermath of Paul and Silas' Release

Acts 17:4-16
Milk
February 19th, 2017

Okay, we left off with Paul and Silas being released from jail, then going to Thessalonica and teaching in the synagogue three Sabbath days out of the Old Testament – Jesus – the promised Messiah. Let’s read our text for today, which immediately gives us the results of Paul’s actions beginning at verse 4:

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.

Reactions to Paul's Teachings

“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.” In other words, the Words Paul spoke, his argumentation, did not return void but planted themselves in the hearts of some as “some believed (just like some continue to believe today) and not only believed but “consorted thereafter with Paul and Silas. Who were they? A great multitude out of the devout Greeks and more than a few out of the chief women.

The word “consorted” in the Greek means that they literally had their lot with Paul and Silas, meaning they united themselves to them and became their disciples. The word is commonly applied to those who are partakers of an inheritance. We might wonder how there would be “devout Greeks” in the synagogue of the Jews where Paul was teaching. The answer comes first in the term. Devout Greeks does not mean that they were devoted to Greek ways but they were devout to God – so devout they were attending the Jewish Synagogue for worship services – they just weren’t full converts to Judaism.

Opposition and Uproar

And when Luke refers to “honorable women” he was in all probability referring to women like Lydia, a seller of purple, who had a stature in the community by virtue of their name, or the fact that they represented a small empire obtained through inheritance. I wonder if Mary Magdalene was not one of them as she bore the name of Magdalena, a place, signifying that she was a woman of power and respect from that area. And of course, whenever there is a burst of light and victory, there comes the corresponding dark and warfare. (Verse 5)

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. The King James resorts to a poor use of terms here when it describes the men as “lewd” fellows of the baser sort. They could have been lewd but the Greek better means “wicked or evil men of the baser sort.”

From what I can tell from all the other translations and commentaries, the men they recruited to aid in their uprising were “men from the forum or the marketplace, where idle unemployed men would gather in search of labor. Jesus incorporates the reality of such places and the men who frequent them in the telling of a parable in Matthew 20 where He says (at verse 3), “And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,” Here, the angry Jews went and recruited men who weren’t doing anything else to join their uprising, and as the Old Saying goes, “The devil will find work for idle hands to do.” We might doubt that these sorts had any real care for the cause – they just wanted to belong to something, to do something, to participate in something – even if it was a false charge and cause.

“But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain…”

Importance of Accurate Scriptural Translation

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.

In Romans 16:21 Paul calls a man named Jason “kin.” This may be the same Jason and the reason that Paul and Silas were apparently staying with him. Now at verse six, we get an example of the importance of translation of scripture.

Let’s read it (verse 6)

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.”

Really? Paul and Silas there in Thessalonica have turned the World upside down?

I suppose in a way we could agree with them because what they were doing would lead to a world-wide upheaval of thought and redemption. But this was not what these complainers meant. They were just saying that they were causing an uproar in the way things had long been established in the Roman Empire.

Translation Challenges

But the King James took the word for “area” or “empire” OI-KU-MENAY and translated it world. The common Greek term for the real world is “kosmos.” That is not in the manuscripts. But for some reason the King James took the Greek word that is used – again, OIKUMENAY, and translated it world.

In this passage, we can reasonably see that this means something other than the world, but when this practice is used in other passages it has led to an enormous amount of trouble in biblical interpretation.

For instance:

In Matthew 24 where Jesus is explaining the end of the ageThe close of the old covenant era, fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not the end of the world. to Peter, James, John and Andrew, he says they following in verse 14:

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

As a result, people have said for centuries, “the Gospel has to go to all the world before the end comes.” But this is not so. The Gospel was just to go to all the area – Judea – before the end would come.

Again, in Luke 2:1 we read:

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.”

Critics of the Bible mock believers knowing that the people of Tahiti were not taxed at this time. Our response is to say that world is a poor word choice and it should read “all the Roman empire or area.”

Charges Against Jason and Others

Anyway, not finding Paul and Silas, this was the charge against Jason and others around him:

“These (speaking of Paul and Silas) that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.”

(verse 7)

7 Whom Jason hath received:” (whom Jason has housed) “and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

The charge against them was that of sedition and rebellion against the Roman emperor – a similar charge against Jesus motivated by the same evil trait – envy (according to the previous verse).

Of course, the Jews were well aware that Jesus was no longer on earth but, after having been put to deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., was resurrected then ascended into heaven. But they did what troublemakers and arguers do – they took the teaching that Jesus was the Christian King (albeit sitting on a heavenly throne in the place of David) and ignoring this little detail spoke as if they were following a different earthly sovereign than the one associated with Rome. (verse 8)

8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. They excited the people to commotion and alarm.

9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

It's a strange line – sounds almost contradictory –

“And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.”

But apparently, since Jason is not the one charged for the crime (but Paul and Silas who were lodging with him) Jason vouched for their character before the rulers of the city, made a deposit (as in some sort of security deposit) and then they were let go.

This wraps the segment up and now at verse 10 we are told what happens with Paul and Silas next. Let’s read verses 10-15:

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night

The Journey to Berea

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

Analyzing the Reception in Berea

Alright back to verse 10

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. The Gospel was shared and planted. Those who knew and understood the ways and means of the area that had believed told Paul and Silas to get out of dodge – sent them immediately away, as it were – and it was by night.

Where did they go? “Unto Berea,” which was a city of Macedonia, near Mount Cithanes. And where did they go in Berea? You guessed it – directly to the synagogue. At this point Luke makes a comparison between what Paul and Silas found in Thessalonica and what they discovered in Berea, saying: 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.

Understanding the Berean Mindset

Now we come to some interesting facts. The word translated, “more noble” (than those in Thessalonica) is Yoo-gen-ace. From it we get the word eugenics. It literally means, “well-born,” “high in rank,” “noblemen.” Bottom line – “they descended from more illustrious ancestors.” And as a result, they had the propensity to approach the message with less barbarism and more refinement.

It’s funny but coming to Calvary Chapel out of Mormonism this passage was frequently used to say that those in Berea were more noble BECAUSE they received the word with more readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily to see whether the things Paul and Silas said were so. I’m not so sure this is what the passage means. Really what it is saying is that because they came from better breeding they had a readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily to see if what Paul and Silas said was so.

Now, as with all things in scripture, this introduction to the Berean believers provides us with the opposite stance that it is the weak things of the world that receive the Good News. Here we are told the opposite – and I appreciate it because it stops us from thinking in limited locked-up ways about how God works. Here scripture admits that there are times when superior breeding and genetics can benefit those seeking for truth.

Years ago when I was a stockbroker I worked with at-risk kids in high schools and junior highs and would visit their schools and talk with them about overcoming obstacles to achieve their goals. Sometimes I was asked to do a breakout session where I would teach these at-risk kids the fundamentals of investing. On one occasion I was asked by a grade school teacher if I would come to her class of advanced fourth- graders and teach them about investing.

Because it was an acquaintance of Mary’s I agreed but was very reticent to do it because these kids were only in fourth grade! For years I struggled helping at-risk high schoolers with some of the concepts how on earth was I going to teach fourth graders. Essentially I went into Berea folks because these kids – due to better YOOGENACE – grasped the concepts and asked better questions about investing than ANY high school group I had EVER addressed – and that includes senior economic classes at my daughter's school.

In other words what Paul and Silas experienced in Berea is a reality of life. There are people who come into their world having been dealt a superior hand than others, and this can work to their benefit, as well as their disadvantage.

The Example of the Bereans

Depending on the path they want to take, the condition of being lowly can lead either to humility and openness to the Word or to rebellion and closed ears. Similarly, those with superior intelligence might find the Good News foolish, but it occasionally aids them in understanding and verifying the truth claims from others.

The Bereans' Approach

How did those who were of Berea use their superior genetics? “They received the word with all readiness of mind AND they searched the scriptures daily, whether the things they were told were so.” Now, I have used superior genetics here, but we must admit that this may not mean superior in intelligence or mental capacity. It could mean a superior willingness toward the things of the Spirit just as easily. I say this so we don’t make the mistake of thinking smart people are more noble than people of lesser intelligence. Not so.

But something in these Bereans caused them to be of “all readiness of mind” while “possessing the willingness and desire and inclination to search the scriptures daily” to test the things they were told. Listen to this description of them again – “the RECEIVED the Word with ALL readiness of mind.” They were eager to hear, earnest to learn, open to information, and took in the Word with a mind ready to digest it. I mean, hard to find a better audience, folks. They haven’t let their pre-dispositions get in the way. They haven’t cowered in the corner with their prejudices to protect themselves – they received the word with open, eager minds!

Openness and Testing Against Scripture

And what were they being told? In all probability, the same things Paul was sharing in all the synagogues – that the promised Messiah was prophesied to suffer, that He would die, and He would resurrect – and that this Messiah was named Jesus of Nazareth. But take note. They not only were willing to hear. They took what they were told and then “searched the scriptures daily to see if what they were told measures up.”

It cannot get better than this. I mean, a person who will first hear and then test what they are being told against scripture? That is a perfect description for a seeker of God, in my estimation. I mean I am of the opinion that if all people were like the Bereans the gospel would proliferate with very little effort. But all are not so equipped. We close our ears (lalalalalalalalala) because we don’t want to hear and then we combine that with an apathy for study and boom – we have a society of spiritually deaf, dumb, and deluded people.

This is why Jesus commends that we pray that people’s ears and eyes will open, that they will see and hear, which will cause their hearts to open where He can come in and heal them, thereby leading to their true conversion.

Key to Conversion

This is the key to conversion – that peoples spiritual senses will be open to receive Him and His truths – which are backed by and through a search through the scripture. While here, I think we need to also remind ourselves to adopt the ways of the Bereans. That is, even as believers who have received the truth by the Spirit, that with readiness of mind we also TEST ALL things – all things – and we do not need to fear anything.

It is one of my life’s frustrations that people refuse to hear with a readiness of mind and that they also fail to test all they hear by and through a contextual study of the Word. Instead, like those persecutors in Thessalonica, they point fingers and make accusations and seek to shut the mouths of those who are sharing instead of openly hearing each message and then doing the work to see if what they hear bears up under the scrutiny of scripture. Now look at the first word of verse 12:

12 Therefore . . . as a result of this . . . (ready?) . . . many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. Now listen – there is a key here we need to consider as believers today. The method is to with readiness of mind HEAR and then to search the scriptures daily to see if what we hear is so. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall all things.

Noble Way to Live

Be established, right?

If we took either of these elements away, we would have problems – problems that surround us today. Let me explain.

If all we had was “a readiness of mind,” (and did not follow-up by searching the scriptures daily to see if what we had taken in was true) we would fall into the lot of those who move through every trend and wind of doctrine, jumping from one religion or group to another, and never coming to a knowledge of the truth. This is a very dangerous approach to have in life – a readiness of mind – without ANYTHING to check or test the data we have received!

Conversely, to have a closed mind but to only search the scriptures daily to see if what we hear is so, amounts to dogmatic living and living a life where all we do is defend our prejudices! We see this all the time in people who say, “why I read the Bible everyday and I can tell you right now that EVERYTHING in the Baptist, Catholic, Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness faith is biblical.” Right?

So right here in Acts 17 we are provided (through the narrative describing the Bereans) a NOBLE WAY TO LIVE. Be of a ready mind – toward all things – and then take all that you have been given and test it by the Word of God – no matter who says it, no matter how long you have believed it, no matter what you want to believe is true – test it . . . BY THE WORD OF GOD. If you do, you will not only find safety from the storm of false teachings, you will grow in your faith and knowledge of the Lord.

The Storm of False Teachings

So again – great success – this time among the Bereans. (Here we go again – verse 13)

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.

So hearing that Paul and Silas had escaped Thessalonica and were preaching in Berea the Jews pursued them there. The word used here for stirred up means they agitated the people like a storm tossed sea. It is part of the natural man (and women) to be trouble makers, rabble rousers and it is not by mistake that of the seven things that are an abomination to God (according to Proverbs 6) “feet that run swift to mischief” is among them.

Actually, here are the seven:

1. A proud look,

2. a lying tongue,

3. hands that shed innocent blood

4. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,

5. feet that be swift in running to mischief,

6. A false witness that speaketh lies,

7. and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Looking at the actions of these Thessalonica Jews they were guilty of at least five of the seven if not six of them. We might be so bold as to suggest that if God abhors these seven things that He probably adores their opposites:

Opposites of Things God Abhors

14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

From this verse it seems that Paul was the main focus of the persecutors animus since Silas and Timothy remained behind apparently unscathed. And so once again the brethren sent Paul away to go to the sea, meaning a coastal region not far from Berea.

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.

This was the first visit of Paul to this historically relevant city and it could have been the first time an actual Christian came there to preach. The city was called Athens in honor of Minerva, who was the one worshipped there, and to whom the city was dedicated. Minerva (or Athena to the Greeks) who was their goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, crafts and magic. Initially the city was built on a rock that sat in the middle of a plain but over time the place was

The City of Athens and Paul's Visit

At this time, no city in all of the Ancient World was as distinguished for its artistic and philosophical culture. As a result, the most celebrated warriors, poets, statesmen, and philosophers of Greece were either born or they flourished there. The city still exists, though it has been the subject of attack for centuries on end and has flipped flopped over who controlled it since the days of Paul. In 1812, the population was 12,000. Today it is over three million.

Once Paul arrived, he appears to have been under the impression that there was great opportunity for missional success there as he sent immediately for Silas and Timothy to join him “with all speed.” But his success there seems to have been very limited.

Paul's Spirit Stirred

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

We don’t know how long Paul waited for Silas and Timothy to join him, but it was probably at least a month if we take the modes of communication into account at the time. During that time, Paul had some time to take a survey of the city and its ways – which was probably very eye-opening for him. So much so that we read that “his spirit was stirred in him.” The Greek means that his spirit was greatly agitated, troubled.

By what? We read that “the city was wholly given to idolatry,” but the Greek better means, “because the city was full of idols t-itself.” The term is not used anywhere else in the New Testament.

Secular Descriptions of Athens

In some secular descriptions of Athens at the time we read:

Pausanias (in Attic. i. 24), "The Athenians greatly surpassed others in their zeal for religion."

Lucian (T. i. Prometh. p. 180) wrote: “On every side there are altars, victims, temples, and festivals."

Livy (45, 27) said that Athens "was full of the images of gods and men, adorned with every variety of material, and with all the skill of art."

Petronius (Sat. xvii.) humorously said that "it was easier to find a god than a man there."

It is an interesting revelation into the mind and heart of Paul because here he was in a city that in terms of art and culture it could not be surpassed. It had superior architecture, superior sciences, superior art than perhaps any other city on earth at that time and Paul was not the least bit impressed. Instead, it all had the opposite effect – it made him uneasy, agitated, and frustrated.

In my former man, my Old man, there were few who related better or more intimately with what we might call the finer things of life. I adored carnality in every form and in its every extreme. Fine art, fine living, San Francisco, New York, nightlife. Perfect.

But once He moved in, I resonate to Paul and his agitated spirit in the face of such cultural advances. So even though I still understand and even appreciate the aesthetics found in the arts, without Christ, they are at best a BORE, and more typically, a cheap counterfeit to what is real, and best, and highest in the realm of the humanities. Why don’t we stop here and then pick it up next week when Paul wanders over to Mars hill and has his famous conversation with these Athenians.

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