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.
Leaving Thessalonica under duress, Paul and Silas came to Berea 46 miles southwest of the city. This city was more remote and not a strategic location in Greece.
17:10
Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.
Believers in Thessalonica sent Paul and Silas to the city of Berea. They did this under the cover of “night” so that they were not detected by the mobs.
When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
When the gospel team arrived in Berea, as usual, they began ministering in the synagogue there.
17:11
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica,
Non-Christian Jews in Berea were more “fair-minded” or open-minded than the Jews in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9).
in that they received the word with all readiness [eagerness],
Jews in Berea were motivated to examine the Scriptures to examine what the gospel team claimed as true. The word “readiness” carries the idea that they were eager to study the Old Testament; they were of positive volition about knowing what God had to say.
and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
The non-believing Jews with positive volition “searched” the Scriptures every day to determine whether what Paul said was true. They diligently studied the Old Testament to make this determination.
PRINCIPLE:
Some people are noble when it comes to studying Scripture.
APPLICATION:
There are people with positive volition, who take Scriptures seriously. This does not mean they accept what the Bible has to say uncritically, but want to see for themselves whether something claimed was true or not. These kinds of people do not cursorily examine the Word. They want proof that Jesus was indeed the resurrected Messiah. It is a blessing to find these kinds of people in our ministry.
No one should impulsively believe the first exposition of the Bible they hear. Good doubt is to question whether something is true objectively. Nothing in Scripture is worthy of belief that is not grounded in the text. Both diligent unbelievers and believers should question everything whether it is found in the Bible. They should examine the Bible for themselves.
