Travels and Travails

Paul and Silas found themselves in a strange situation. For reasons not revealed, the Philippians magistrates had a change of heart regarding their arrest and imprisonment.

Here is how Luke records it: "But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, 'Let those men go.' And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, 'The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.' But Paul said to them, 'They have beaten us publically, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us in prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.' The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed" (Acts 16:35-40; ESV).

Paul and Silas continued to visit areas Paul had been to with Barnabas. When they arrived at Thessalonica, Paul located the synagogue. For three consecutive Sabbaths, "he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, saying, 'This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ'" (Acts 17:2-3; ESV). Some were converted.

Were the Jews happy at this good news? No; again their jealousy led to the formation of a mob, an uproar, a riot. They got one thing right in referring to them as men who have turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). However disturbing this was to the people and to the authorities, no one was imprisoned this time. Money was exchanged and those brought before the authorities were let go.

For a change, the arrestees did not include Paul and Silas. But the brothers (believers) knew they had to send them away. This they did "immediately" by night, to Berea.

The response of the Berean Jews is one we have often been exhorted to replicate. Here it is: "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men" (Acts 17:11-12; ESV). [Note: it seems it was reading the Scriptures for themselves that brought about saving faith, much like the Samaritan woman who believed, having heard the Word for herself.]

Could the jealous Jews from Thessalonica leave those in Berea alone? No. We are told, "But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was being proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds" (Acts 17:13; ESV).

Then the word "immediately" appears again in verse 14: "Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there."

This time Paul was taken farther, to Athens.  While waiting for Silas and Timothy, Paul was occupied. Provoked by the city's idols, passionate to bring truth to replace them, Paul went from synagogue to marketplace, from Jews to Gentiles, reasoning with those who would listen.

Luke describes how many of the people spent their time: "Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new" (Acts 17:21; ESV). (If that doesn't sound like contemporary times, what does?)

Paul piqued enough interest to be asked to speak at the Areopagus, and his speech is recorded in Acts 17:22-31. I would strongly urge you to read that now.

How was the word received? Some mocked, some were open to further conversation, and some came to true faith. (This reminds me of the parable of the soils recorded in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8).

Paul's next destination? Corinth.