Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
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.
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.
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.
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;
Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
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.
Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
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.
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
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.
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
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.
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.
And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
(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.)
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.
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.
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;
Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
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;
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:
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.
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.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
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.
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
So Paul departed from among them.
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 17 recounts Paul's continued missionary journey, taking him from Macedonia into Greece. After establishing a thriving church in Philippi, but facing unjust imprisonment (Acts 16), Paul and Silas ventured onward, carrying the message of Jesus to Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. This chapter highlights different responses to the gospel, showcasing both the power of God's Word and the varied reactions of those who heard it.
Thessalonica: Opposition and Unrest (Acts 17:1-9)
Following their release from prison, Paul and Silas traveled southwest, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, before arriving in Thessalonica. True to his custom, Paul began his ministry in the local Jewish synagogue (Acts 17:1). He reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that Jesus was the Messiah, and that He had to suffer and rise from the dead (Acts 17:2-3). His approach was rooted in demonstrating how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, a strategy effective with those familiar with the Jewish scriptures.
The result was that some Jews and a large number of God-fearing Greeks were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas (Acts 17:4). However, this success stirred up jealousy among some of the Jews, who gathered a mob and started a riot. They dragged Jason, who had welcomed Paul and Silas into his home, and other believers before the city officials (Acts 17:5-6). The accusation was serious: that these men were defying Caesar's decrees by proclaiming another king, Jesus (Acts 17:7).
This incident highlights a recurring theme: opposition to the gospel often arises from those who feel threatened by its message. The antagonists in Thessalonica, much like those in Philippi (Acts 16:19-21), attempted to discredit the Christian faith by politicizing it. Jason and the other believers were forced to post a bond, likely an agreement to ensure Paul and Silas left the city (Acts 17:9).
This account also carries relevance for today. Similar attempts to discredit Christianity occur, often not on religious grounds, but due to perceived political or social incompatibility. Believers may face opposition for upholding traditional Christian values. In such situations, it is crucial to follow the apostle Peter's counsel: "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).
Berea: A Noble Example (Acts 17:10-15)
Leaving Thessalonica, Paul and Silas traveled to Berea, where they again began preaching in the Jewish synagogue (Acts 17:10). The response in Berea was markedly different. The Bereans were more noble in character, receiving the message with eagerness and examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11).
The Bereans provide a powerful example of how to receive God's Word. They listened attentively, but they also engaged in diligent study to verify the truth for themselves. This active engagement with Scripture led to many believing, including prominent men and women (Acts 17:12).
The Berean response underscores a crucial principle: genuine seekers of truth will find it (Jeremiah 29:12-13). All believers should strive to emulate the Bereans, welcoming God's Word with anticipation and regularly studying it to be transformed through obedience.
Unfortunately, the peace in Berea was short-lived. The agitators from Thessalonica followed Paul and Silas, stirring up the crowds and forcing Paul to leave. Silas and Timothy remained in Berea for a time, while Paul journeyed on to Athens (Acts 17:13-15).
Athens: Engaging with Philosophy and Culture (Acts 17:16-34)
In Athens, Paul was deeply distressed by the city's pervasive idolatry (Acts 17:16). He engaged in discussions both in the synagogue, with Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace, with Athenian philosophers (Acts 17:17). He saw no place off-limits for sharing the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
Paul encountered Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (Acts 17:18). Epicureanism, founded by Epicurus, emphasized pleasure and freedom from pain, with no belief in the afterlife. Stoicism, founded by Zeno, was pantheistic and focused on virtue. These philosophers, intrigued by Paul's message, invited him to the Areopagus, a place for philosophical and religious debate, to explain his teachings (Acts 17:19-20).
Paul's address to the Areopagus (Acts 17:22-31) is a masterful example of contextualization. He began by acknowledging their religious devotion, noting their altar "To an Unknown God" (Acts 17:23). Paul used this as a bridge, declaring that he would proclaim the God whom they unknowingly worshipped.
He presented God as the Creator of all things (Acts 17:24), the source of life who does not dwell in temples made by human hands (Acts 17:25). He affirmed that God made all nations from one man, Adam, so that they would seek Him (Acts 17:26-27). Paul even quoted one of their own poets, stating, "For in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28), demonstrating God's immanence – His presence within and interaction with the world He created.
Paul then called them to repentance, urging them to turn from idolatry to the one true God (Acts 17:30). He proclaimed that God will judge the world through Jesus Christ, whom He raised from the dead (Acts 17:31).
Paul's message was met with mixed reactions. Some mocked, others wanted to hear more, and a few believed (Acts 17:32-34). Among those who believed were Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris.
Paul's encounter in Athens offers a model for engaging with different cultures. He tailored his approach to his audience, beginning with their existing beliefs and gradually leading them to the truth of the gospel. He began with their general interest in religion, moved to the living and true God who created the world, explained human sin and accountability before God, and then made his way to Christ.
Lessons for Today
Acts 17 offers several valuable lessons for believers today:
- Contextualization is key: Paul adapted his message to his audience, whether Jews familiar with the Old Testament or Gentiles immersed in Greek philosophy.
- The importance of Scripture: The Bereans' example reminds us to diligently study the Bible to verify truth.
- Expect diverse responses: Not everyone will accept the gospel, but we are called to faithfully proclaim it regardless of the outcome.
- God is both transcendent and immanent: He is the Creator who is above and beyond us, yet He is also intimately involved in our lives.
- Be ready to give a defense: Be prepared to explain your faith with gentleness and respect.
Paul's journey through Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives and challenge cultural norms. It also reminds us of the importance of proclaiming the truth with boldness, wisdom, and love, trusting that God will work in the hearts of those who hear.
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
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.
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.
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.
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;
Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
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.
Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
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.
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
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.
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
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.
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.
And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
(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.)
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.
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.
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;
Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
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;
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:
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.
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.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
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.
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
So Paul departed from among them.
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 17 recounts Paul's continued missionary journey, taking him from Macedonia into Greece. After establishing a thriving church in Philippi, but facing unjust imprisonment (Acts 16), Paul and Silas ventured onward, carrying the message of Jesus to Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. This chapter highlights different responses to the gospel, showcasing both the power of God's Word and the varied reactions of those who heard it.
Thessalonica: Opposition and Unrest (Acts 17:1-9)
Following their release from prison, Paul and Silas traveled southwest, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, before arriving in Thessalonica. True to his custom, Paul began his ministry in the local Jewish synagogue (Acts 17:1). He reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that Jesus was the Messiah, and that He had to suffer and rise from the dead (Acts 17:2-3). His approach was rooted in demonstrating how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, a strategy effective with those familiar with the Jewish scriptures.
The result was that some Jews and a large number of God-fearing Greeks were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas (Acts 17:4). However, this success stirred up jealousy among some of the Jews, who gathered a mob and started a riot. They dragged Jason, who had welcomed Paul and Silas into his home, and other believers before the city officials (Acts 17:5-6). The accusation was serious: that these men were defying Caesar's decrees by proclaiming another king, Jesus (Acts 17:7).
This incident highlights a recurring theme: opposition to the gospel often arises from those who feel threatened by its message. The antagonists in Thessalonica, much like those in Philippi (Acts 16:19-21), attempted to discredit the Christian faith by politicizing it. Jason and the other believers were forced to post a bond, likely an agreement to ensure Paul and Silas left the city (Acts 17:9).
This account also carries relevance for today. Similar attempts to discredit Christianity occur, often not on religious grounds, but due to perceived political or social incompatibility. Believers may face opposition for upholding traditional Christian values. In such situations, it is crucial to follow the apostle Peter's counsel: "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).
Berea: A Noble Example (Acts 17:10-15)
Leaving Thessalonica, Paul and Silas traveled to Berea, where they again began preaching in the Jewish synagogue (Acts 17:10). The response in Berea was markedly different. The Bereans were more noble in character, receiving the message with eagerness and examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11).
The Bereans provide a powerful example of how to receive God's Word. They listened attentively, but they also engaged in diligent study to verify the truth for themselves. This active engagement with Scripture led to many believing, including prominent men and women (Acts 17:12).
The Berean response underscores a crucial principle: genuine seekers of truth will find it (Jeremiah 29:12-13). All believers should strive to emulate the Bereans, welcoming God's Word with anticipation and regularly studying it to be transformed through obedience.
Unfortunately, the peace in Berea was short-lived. The agitators from Thessalonica followed Paul and Silas, stirring up the crowds and forcing Paul to leave. Silas and Timothy remained in Berea for a time, while Paul journeyed on to Athens (Acts 17:13-15).
Athens: Engaging with Philosophy and Culture (Acts 17:16-34)
In Athens, Paul was deeply distressed by the city's pervasive idolatry (Acts 17:16). He engaged in discussions both in the synagogue, with Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace, with Athenian philosophers (Acts 17:17). He saw no place off-limits for sharing the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
Paul encountered Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (Acts 17:18). Epicureanism, founded by Epicurus, emphasized pleasure and freedom from pain, with no belief in the afterlife. Stoicism, founded by Zeno, was pantheistic and focused on virtue. These philosophers, intrigued by Paul's message, invited him to the Areopagus, a place for philosophical and religious debate, to explain his teachings (Acts 17:19-20).
Paul's address to the Areopagus (Acts 17:22-31) is a masterful example of contextualization. He began by acknowledging their religious devotion, noting their altar "To an Unknown God" (Acts 17:23). Paul used this as a bridge, declaring that he would proclaim the God whom they unknowingly worshipped.
He presented God as the Creator of all things (Acts 17:24), the source of life who does not dwell in temples made by human hands (Acts 17:25). He affirmed that God made all nations from one man, Adam, so that they would seek Him (Acts 17:26-27). Paul even quoted one of their own poets, stating, "For in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28), demonstrating God's immanence – His presence within and interaction with the world He created.
Paul then called them to repentance, urging them to turn from idolatry to the one true God (Acts 17:30). He proclaimed that God will judge the world through Jesus Christ, whom He raised from the dead (Acts 17:31).
Paul's message was met with mixed reactions. Some mocked, others wanted to hear more, and a few believed (Acts 17:32-34). Among those who believed were Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris.
Paul's encounter in Athens offers a model for engaging with different cultures. He tailored his approach to his audience, beginning with their existing beliefs and gradually leading them to the truth of the gospel. He began with their general interest in religion, moved to the living and true God who created the world, explained human sin and accountability before God, and then made his way to Christ.
Lessons for Today
Acts 17 offers several valuable lessons for believers today:
- Contextualization is key: Paul adapted his message to his audience, whether Jews familiar with the Old Testament or Gentiles immersed in Greek philosophy.
- The importance of Scripture: The Bereans' example reminds us to diligently study the Bible to verify truth.
- Expect diverse responses: Not everyone will accept the gospel, but we are called to faithfully proclaim it regardless of the outcome.
- God is both transcendent and immanent: He is the Creator who is above and beyond us, yet He is also intimately involved in our lives.
- Be ready to give a defense: Be prepared to explain your faith with gentleness and respect.
Paul's journey through Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives and challenge cultural norms. It also reminds us of the importance of proclaiming the truth with boldness, wisdom, and love, trusting that God will work in the hearts of those who hear.