Obstacles that Hinder the Work
November 14, 2021
Commentary
Not wanting to cause further trouble for Jason and the other Christians, Paul and Silas left Thessalonica by night and traveled southwest to Berea (v. 10), about 45 miles away. One might have expected Paul to switch up his tactics in Berea, but as usual they went right to the synagogue. Paul realized that despite the chance of persecution there was also a chance of finding a believing remnant. They found a group of people who were keenly interested in studying the Old Testament (v. 11), and many of them believed, notably including a group of Greek women of high standing and men as well (v. 12). Once again, the unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul and Silas were ministering in Berea, and they came to stir up the people (v. 13). As before, Paul had to leave town quietly to avoid more trouble for the Christians. This time the believers in Berea outsmarted the enemy by placing Paul on a ship headed for Athens (v. 14). Timothy and Silas stayed behind to strengthen the new converts.
Paul arrived in Athens, the intellectual capital of the ancient world, and the center of idolatry, education, and philosophy. Paul’s spirit was provoked within him, seeing the state of the city. “The city was wholly given to idolatry” (v. 16), and people spent their time telling or hearing “some new thing” (v. 21). Athens illustrates to what great heights of achievement man can ascend and still be ignorant of God. It also illustrates what knowledge amounts to apart from divine revelation. The two main philosophies of that time were the Epicureans and the Stoics. The Epicureans were materialistic atheists whose main goal in life was pleasure. The Stoics were the exact opposite, being very religious and emphasizing personal discipline. The Epicureans said, “Enjoy life,” and the Stoics said, “Endure life.” Paul’s preaching soon gained the interest of the people, and they invited him to come speak at the Areopagus (Mars Hill) (vv. 19-20).
Application
When I’m facing a crisis in ministry, like the one Paul faced in Thessalonica, I need to remind myself that the Lord is faithful. There might be a Berea or an Athens just ahead.
Acts 17:10– 21 (NET)
10 The brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea at once, during the night. When they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul had also proclaimed the word of God in Berea, they came there too, inciting and disturbing the crowds. 14 Then the brothers sent Paul away to the coast at once, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea. 15 Those who accompanied Paul escorted him as far as Athens, and after receiving an order for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was greatly upset because he saw the city was full of idols. 17 So he was addressing the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles in the synagogue, and in the marketplace every day those who happened to be there. 18 Also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him, and some were asking, “What does this foolish babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods.” (They said this because he was proclaiming the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.) 19 So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are proclaiming? 20 For you are bringing some surprising things to our ears, so we want to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there used to spend their time in nothing else than telling or listening to something new.)
Illustration: Oliver Wendell Holmes Speaks About a Christian Expressing Joy
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: “I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers.” So where is the joy? Where is the “always” rejoicing in the Lord? Where is the “always” giving praise with joy in our hearts for the great things He has done? (Today In The Word, June, 1988, p. 13).