Under Constant Harassment

Acts 17:10-15

¹⁰The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.

¹¹Now 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.

¹²Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

¹³But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

¹⁴Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.

¹⁵Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

We’ve all seen the cartoon where the little kid says, “mom, mom, mom, mom, mom … “, until the mother just wants to scream. It’s funny because every mother in the world knows what that’s like. My daughter gave me handmade a Mother’s Day card that had the word “mom” written about 200 times on the cover. I still have it and we both laughed at her joke. It was funny because it was true. That’s a mild form of harassment but it seems a kindred to what Paul is experiencing as he travels through the region of Antioch, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. The Jews who are opposed to his Gospel message are following him from city to city causing chaos and riots everywhere they go. I find it rather shocking that even after Paul leaves their city they follow him to the next town. And this harassment isn’t mild. Those who oppose Paul mean him bodily harm. But he isn’t deterred and souls are saved.

There is one interesting phrase in this passage that brings up a question. What does it mean that the Bereans were “more noble” than those in Thessalonica? That question took me to some research and further digging. After examining the original language (in which the word “noble” does not appear although all of the English translations I examined appropriate the word 'noble' with one using 'noble-minded'), and several commentaries one track appears clear. The use of “nobility” means that they were more reliant upon the Word of God for their information and practiced allowing that Word to inform and transform their lives. As Paul taught them about Jesus they went to their Scriptures and read the Old Testament references and prophecies for themselves and compared them to his teachings. The wisdom of this practice cannot be overstated. And it was this in-depth conversation that led to their conversions.

Over the years I have led hundreds (maybe even thousands) of Bible studies. And with every single one I ask my Bible study partners to always hold a question in their mind about everything I might say. Do my words match up with what they read in the Bible? Can I support with good Bible study principles what I am teaching? In order for them to ask that question they have to be willing to read the Word for themselves and not just trust the words of another. The men in the synagogues that Paul went to were able to engage in relevant and helpful conversations because they themselves were students of the Word. They already knew what it said and were willing to discuss it. We would do well to follow that example and keep our own eyes on the Word of God every day. Nothing will transform your life and your thinking like daily input from God’s Word.