12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13But 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.
17:12
Therefore many of them believed,
Because many Jews in Berea were “fair-minded,” many believed that Christ was the Messiah. Sopater was one of those who came to Christ at this time (Acts 20:4).
and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
In addition to Jews coming to Christ, many Gentiles believed. Both men and “prominent women” of social status believed.
17:13
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.
When the Jews in Thessalonica heard of the success of Paul’s ministry in Berea, they came to Berea to stir up the crowds, attempting to create mob psychology in the city.
17:14
Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea [coast];
As a result of a threat from mobs in Berea, the new converts in the city sent Paul away to catch a ship on the coast (some manuscripts indicate that Paul and his escorts walked by land).
but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. They remained in Thessalonica to build new believers there. Paul was the only target of the Jews from Thessalonica.
17:15
So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens;
Believers in Berea escorted Paul to Athens, the city that represented Greek culture more than any other. They accompanied Paul to ensure his safe passage to Athens, 195 miles away. Athens was the intellectual capital of the world at this time. This city was the center of many cultural dynamics: philosophy, architecture, literature, and the arts.
and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Before those who conducted Paul to Athens returned to Berea, Paul directed them to send Silas and Timothy to him “with all speed.” We know, from 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2, 6, that Silas and Timothy rejoined Paul at Athens.
PRINCIPLE:
Nothing daunts a person with conviction.
APPLICATION:
Paul fled from the first three Macedonian cities in which he ministered. Nevertheless, he founded three solid churches in Macedonia (1 Th 1:6-7; 3:6-9). Paul later said in his first epistle to the Thessalonians that he was “spitefully treated and “taken away from you” (1 Th 2:2, 17) while in that city. Nevertheless, despite being persecuted, he shared Christ boldly and with conviction.
