Acts 17: The Church at Jason's house
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
This party was cast out from Philippi. So, they being led of the Spirit passed by Amphipolis and Apollonia... and came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
It has been told to me that the Jews, already being chosen of God, do not need the Gospel message. Others argue with me that because of the disbelief of the first century Jews, we should wipe the dust off of our feet and not share Jesus with those who call themselves Jews today, but the Scriptures becon me to be like Paul and share with them first. "'To the Jew first' (Romans 1:16) was a controlling principle with Paul." (Burton Coffman) This generation could learn much from converted Jews.
Yea, all Christians must acquire a Hebrew mindset.
2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
"Acts 17:2 must be understood to mean that he worked for three weeks among the Jews, and afterward turned to the Gentiles, among whom he labored for three or four months." (J. R. Dummelow) Here Paul reasoned out of the Scriptures; "the law and the prophets, which they owned to be of Divine authority; and from the Holy Scriptures alone, all knowledge in the things of God and of our salvation must be fetched. If any speak of these matters not according to them, it is because they have no light in them, Isaiah 8:20. What scriptures St. Paul alleged are not set down; but they were such as our Saviour had made use of, Luke 24:27, for the same purpose." (Matthew Poole)
He reasoned with the Jews that Jesus ”must needs have suffered; the Scriptures foretold that the Messiah would suffer. His death was needful in order to their fulfilment, and to the salvation of men." (Justin Edwards’ Family Bible) "Christ is therefore the mediator, because he was crucified and rose again: and he is certainly not to be rejected because the cross is shameful." (Geneva Study Bible)
They likewise were able to reason with devout Greeks; "gentile Greeks who had become acquainted with the true religion as revealed in the Old Testament, and were worshippers of Jehovah. The women also appear to have been of the same class." (Justin Edwards)
"This appeal to the Old Testament is still the best beginning for teaching people who believe the Bible. Some were persuaded by the very nature of the gospel, some believe it, others do not; but the difference lies in the hearts of the hearers. The gospel is a message of life to some, death to others (2 Corinthians 2:16)." (Burton Coffman)
4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
They were knit unto Paul and Silas "in the straitest bonds, as man and wife, brother and sister:… No such bond as religion..” (John Trapp)... as the old hymn:
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious (of their success), took some of the evil men from the marketplace... "certain companions which do nothing but walk the streets, wicked men, to be hired for every man's money to do any mischief, such as we commonly call the rabble and very cesspools and dunghill knaves of all towns and cities." (Geneva Bible Study)
Such left Egypt with the Israelites (Exodus 12:38) and will forever bother the church. They attacked the church at Jason’s house intending to bring the missionaries to the magistrates but found the new converts only.
6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.”
These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. "Into whatever country and place they come, they cause sedition and tumult." (Geneva Study Bible) "So Elias was called the troubler of Israel, Luther the trumpet of rebellion. It is not the gospel, but men’s corruption, that breeds the trouble; as it is not, the sea, but the foulness of men’s stomachs, that makes them seasick." (John Trapp)
Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus… Just as they had accused Jesus, they accused His followers. Whom Jason hath received... "so Erasmus well rendereth it, hath closely and covertly entertained them, as Obadiah did the Lord’s prophets." (John Trapp)
8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. 9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
These true troublers of Israel had succeeded. So they took security from Jason and the rest, not a promise that they would cease- but rather that they would appear in court. Bond or personal word. "Taken security of Jason; exacted a bond of him, by which he was made responsible that no disturbance should be caused by the presence of Paul and Silas. In accordance with this they were immediately sent away." (Justin Edwards)
or "When Jason had put them in good assurance that they would appear." (Geneva Study Bible)
Acts 17: Ministering at Berea
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 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. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13 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. 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night… “They did this for their safety. Yet this was not done until the gospel had taken deep root in Thessalonica. Having preached there, and laid the foundation of a church; having thus accomplished the purpose for which they went there, they prepared to leave the city." (Albert Barnes)
Unto Berea- a city of Macedonia, near Mount Cithanes..., "about 45 miles west-southwest of Thessalonica. Berea was a very old Mecedonian city situated on the Astraeus River." (Dr. Thomas Constable)
The Berean Jews were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica-- "εὐγενέστεροι eugenesteroi-- This literally means more noble by birth; descended from more illustrious ancestors. But here the word is used to denote a quality of mind and heart. They were more generous, liberal, and noble in their feelings; more disposed to inquire candidly into the truth of the doctrines advanced by Paul and Silas.
It is always proof of a noble, liberal, and ingenuous disposition to be willing to examine into the truth of any doctrine presented." (Albert Barnes)
"It was a maxim among the Jews, that 'none was of a noble spirit who did not employ himself in the study of the law.'..." (Adam Clarke) More noble, "as one saith: 'Not by civil descent, but by spiritual advancement.'" (Trapp) IN CONTRAST, "Antichristian Rome forbade the holy scriptures to the laity, lest their images and priestly domination should become exposed to vulgar contempt." (Joseph Sutcliffe)
They searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so, "whether the things taught by Paul and Silas were true, in accordance with the Scriptures." (Justin Edwards) "These people were nobler than those in Thessalonica. They did not dispute with the missionaries. Neither did they just receive their message as right. They took it upon themselves to search the Old Testament to see if what was said about Jesus was what scripture said about the Messiah. After they had searched the scriptures 'a number of them had faith and no small number of the Greek women of high position and of the men' believed." (Charles Box)
But when the Jews from Thessalonica -- not those Berean Jews- learned of it, they again came and stirred up the crowd. The troublers of Israel followed the missionaries, but Paul was again led away by the brethren, who were themselves led of the Spirit, to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy behind to strengthen the newest church- in Berea.
Jesus spoke and taught the OT Scriptures and said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) Compare His Words to the faith of old. He is the Alpha and Omega, both Faithful and True- the Messiah of Israel.
Acts 17: The Church at Athens Born From a Land of Ruin
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” 21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ 29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” 33 So Paul departed from among them. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols…. “The greatest men that ever lived, scholars, lawyers, statesmen, and warriors, were Athenians. Its institutions, laws, and literature, were its own unrivalled boast, and the envy of the world.” (Clarke) Yet they lived in darkness.
“Given to idolatry— κατειδωλον, an expressive term; literally, under-idoled. The soil of the city underlay the images like a stratum. In Athens, it was said, you could oftener find a god than a man. It was almost as thickly peopled with marble statues as with living inhabitants.” (Whedon's Commentary on the Bible) There is a stark contrast to Berea.
Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers…, as well as in the marketplace with the philosophers of the day. These beliefs prevail in America. Athens "prided itself also upon religion… And as a free toleration was granted to everyone to exercise whatever profession he thought proper of religion, the Jews had a Synagogue for worship in Athens. But the leading part of the people were divided,… into those two great sects, the Epicureans, and the Stoicks. The former sprung from a certain philosopher... of the name of Epicurus, who lived about three hundred and forty years before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. His doctrine was, that there was no first cause; no God; but that the world came by chance. And that a man's own pleasure was the only object of pursuit. The Stoicks were the followers of a philosopher called Zeno. They took the name of Stoic from the Greek word Stoa, which signifies a Porch. And as it is said that under a Porch Zeno used to walk, and teach his pupils his notion of things, they were called Stoic philosophers on that account. The tenets of this class of people differed from that of the Epicureans, in acknowledging a first cause. But they held that so much natural goodness was in every man, he had a power over his own passions; and he might, if he pleased, undergo the greatest pain with indifference. Such were the different characters of the Gentile philosophers with whom Paul had to contend; beside the blindness and prejudice of the ignorant Jews (religious folks). No wonder so deeply distressed in soul the Apostle must have been, when he beheld the whole city sunk in idolatry, that his spirit could not refrain! Jeremiah 20:9.
Reader! pause, if but for a moment, and contemplate, the awful effects of the fall! Oh! what an universal ruin was induced thereby, to our whole nature! The Church of God, as well as the whole mass of men, all involved in one common calamity: darkness covering the earth, and gross darkness the people, Isaiah 62:2" (Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary)
What distinguished Paul’s teachings from the other philosophies and religions of his day?—“Jesus and the resurrection." (18) Paul did not say that they were spiritual but rather that they were religious or superstitious, (22) “addicted to religious practices.” (Adam Clarke Commentary)
TO THE UNKOWN GOD: “That uncertainty that attends idolatry caused those mariners to call every man to his God, Jonah 1:5. And lest they might all mistake the true God, they awaken Jonas also to call upon his God. Hence these Athenians worship an unknown God; and hence, the heathens generally closed their petitions with Diique Deaeque omnes. All gods and godesses. (Serv. in Georg. i.)” (John Trapp Commentary)
Paul uses the presence of the altar to the unknown god to preach Jesus- the Creator- to them. (24-31) Yes, He dwelled with them in the flesh. But Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth. He does not dwell in temples made with hands. “He is not confined to any place, but fills all places.” (Justin Edward’s) Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. Jesus has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, “caused all men to spring from one family.” (Justin Edwards' Family Bible) “And He has determined their times and seasons (Genesis 1:14; Genesis 8:22; Job 14:5; Daniel 2:21), and where they will live, and what land they will inhabit (Deuteronomy 32:8; Job 12:23). So all nations spring from the one man whom He created, and He controls both what they possess (‘the bounds of their habitation’) and the benefits of nature which they receive (‘their appointed seasons’, compare Acts 14:17), And all this so that they might (out of gratitude and love because of His wonderful provision) seek Him, and feel after Him and find Him (Job 23:3). So that they might seek Him with all their might (compare Matthew 6:33).
Yet in spite of that He is not far from every one of us (Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalms 145:18; Jeremiah 23:23-24), for it is in Him that we live, and move and have our being (Job 12:10; Daniel 5:23). And this is even evidenced by their own poets, who have said, ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being’ (found in the works of Epimenides as said by Minos concerning his father Zeus) And also ‘For we are also His offspring’, (said of Zeus by the Cilician poet Aratus, and also found in Cleanthes’ Hymn to Zeus)” (Pett)
“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, and the dreadfulness of that great day, ‘what manner of men ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness,' 2 Peter 3:11; breaking off our sins by repentance, and being abrupt in the work, since the very next moment thou mayest hear that summons…” (John Trapp Complete Commentary)
An idol is anything that is placed above the Lord Jesus. "In Scripture the kings of Israel are evaluated on the basis of what they did with respect to the 'high places' and idols." (Tyndale Bible Dictionary)
And by this exchange, the church of Athens was born- among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.