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Acts Chapter 17

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Viewing the Standard King James Version (Pure Cambridge). Click to switch to 1611 King James Version of Acts Chapter 17


Acts Chapter 17: Paul Preaches to the Thessalonians
Paul Preaches to the Thessalonians
Acts 17:1-9

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

33 So Paul departed from among them.

34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

 


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Matthew Henry's Acts Chapter 17 Bible commentary...



Paul at Thessalonica. (1-9) The noble conduct of the Bereans. (10-15) Paul at Athens. (16-21) He preaches there. (22-31) The scornful conduct of the Athenians. (32-34)1-9 The drift and scope of Paul's preaching and arguing, was to prove that Jesus is the Christ. He must needs suffer for us, because he could not otherwise purchase our redemption for us; and he must needs have risen again, because he could not otherwise apply the redemption to us. We are to preach concerning Jesus that he is Christ; therefore we may hope to be saved by him, and are bound to be ruled by him. The unbelieving Jews were angry, because the apostles preached to the Gentiles, that they might be saved. How strange it is, that men should grudge others the privileges they will not themselves accept! Neither rulers nor people need be troubled at the increase of real Christians, even though turbulent spirits should make religion the pretext for evil designs. Of such let us beware, from such let us withdraw, that we may show a desire to act aright in society, while we claim our right to worship God according to our consciences.

10-15 The Jews in Berea applied seriously to the study of the word preached unto them. They not only heard Paul preach on the sabbath, but daily searched the Scriptures, and compared what they read with the facts related to them. The doctrine of Christ does not fear inquiry; advocates for his cause desire no more than that people will fully and fairly examine whether things are so or not. Those are truly noble, and likely to be more and more so, who make the Scriptures their rule, and consult them accordingly. May all the hearers of the gospel become like those of Berea, receiving the word with readiness of mind, and searching the Scriptures daily, whether the things preached to them are so.

16-21 Athens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulous, than some persons, deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead for it in all companies, as occasion offers. Most of these learned men took no notice of Paul; but some, whose principles were the most directly contrary to Christianity, made remarks upon him. The apostle ever dwelt upon two points, which are indeed the principal doctrines of Christianity, Christ and a future state; Christ our way, and heaven our end. They looked on this as very different from the knowledge for many ages taught and professed at Athens; they desire to know more of it, but only because it was new and strange. They led him to the place where judges sat who inquired into such matters. They asked about Paul's doctrine, not because it was good, but because it was new. Great talkers are always busy-bodies. They spend their time in nothing else, and a very uncomfortable account they have to give of their time who thus spend it. Time is precious, and we are concerned to employ it well, because eternity depends upon it, but much is wasted in unprofitable conversation.

22-31 Here we have a sermon to heathens, who worshipped false gods, and were without the true God in the world; and to them the scope of the discourse was different from what the apostle preached to the Jews. In the latter case, his business was to lead his hearers by prophecies and miracles to the knowledge of the Redeemer, and faith in him; in the former, it was to lead them, by the common works of providence, to know the Creator, and worship Him. The apostle spoke of an altar he had seen, with the inscription, "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD." This fact is stated by many writers. After multiplying their idols to the utmost, some at Athens thought there was another god of whom they had no knowledge. And are there not many now called Christians, who are zealous in their devotions, yet the great object of their worship is to them an unknown God? Observe what glorious things Paul here says of that God whom he served, and would have them to serve. The Lord had long borne with idolatry, but the times of this ignorance were now ending, and by his servants he now commanded all men every where to repent of their idolatry. Each sect of the learned men would feel themselves powerfully affected by the apostle's discourse, which tended to show the emptiness or falsity of their doctrines.

32-34 The apostle was treated with more outward civility at Athens than in some other places; but none more despised his doctrine, or treated it with more indifference. Of all subjects, that which deserves the most attention gains the least. But those who scorn, will have to bear the consequences, and the word will never be useless. Some will be found, who cleave to the Lord, and listen to his faithful servants. Considering the judgement to come, and Christ as our Judge, should urge all to repent of sin, and turn to Him. Whatever matter is used, all discourses must lead to Him, and show his authority; our salvation, and resurrection, come from and by Him.

 


Recent Comments for Acts Chapter 17...

 


Bongiwe Ntaka's Acts Chapter 17 comment on 4/19/2013, 7:49am...

As Belivers we must live a life of constant repentance. We are no longer ignorant and God calls us to repent. We sin, not knowing it, through our thoughts, deeds, opinions and the way we speak. We therefore have to constantly repent, that is the life of a Believer...you repent in order to be given yet another chance...

 


Elizabeth's Acts Chapter 17 comment about verse 29 on 2/04/2013, 1:45am...

In John 15:5 the bible says He is the vine and we are the branches, in other words what the vine has the branch has in it two meanings I have received the nature of God in me. I have Eternal life which is the Zoe life just as the bible says we have become partakers of Divine nature. 2 Corinthians 3:21-23 says, Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God´s. We are Joint Heirs with Christ.

 


Tina's Acts Chapter 17 comment on 11/27/2012, 12:03pm...

I came to read this chapter after finding a mention online how God winked at us in verse 30. I have never read or heard this, but it is awesome. Just to know that at the time we are called by Him and surrender ourselves, He gives us a wink about our past ignorance. Is that not our awesome God whom we serve! So, let's just give Him a wink back and then do as He commands us to repent! If God will give me a wink, I don't think He would mind my giving Him a wink back. I love you Yahweh!

 


Cheri carpenter's Acts Chapter 17 comment on 10/16/2012, 9:56pm...

Everyone that has asked Jesus in his or her heart knows that we know that Jesus is at the right hand of heavenly father. Just waiting to come and get us so we will be with him for evermore. Thank you Jesus. God bless everyone.

 


Cheri carpenter's Acts Chapter 17 comment on 9/13/2012, 3:55am...

I really enjoyed Acts 17 all of the chapter, it showed me to read my bible more and more.

 


Sherly Grace Massie's Acts Chapter 17 comment about verse 30 on 2/12/2012, 7:21am...

REPENT FROM ANY DUMB IDOL! FEAR THE LORD!

Deuteronomy 4:15-16 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

STATUES OR IMAGES OR ANYTHING WHICH IS INTENDED TO COMPARE THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS IS AN IDOL! (Jer 10:14-16, 16:20-21, Psalm 115:4-7).
SATAN IS DECEIVING HUMAN THROUGH THE PICTURE OF “JESUS” (IT IS NOT JESUS) AND JESUS CHRIST WHO IS TRUE AND ALIVE IS TRYING SO HARD TO WIN HIS PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY LONGING AFTER HIM, BY REMINDS THEM ABOUT OBEDIENCE TO THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. (Jeremiah 2:11-13, Rev 13:7-9, Mal 4:4)

Jeremiah 10:14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. 15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

This truth revealed on 21 December 2006. With God’s help, the testimony and teachings about this written on eight tittles of Good News: 1. “Devil’s Deception Revealed, Revealing Truth”, 2. “Salvation Comes! Saved By Grace Through Faith”, 3. “The TRUTH Is Come, Kingdom Which Cannot Be Moved.”, 4. “The Faith Of Yeshua”, 5. “NOW GOD COMMANDETH ALL MEN EVERYWHERE TO REPENT”, 6. “THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL, GOOD NEWS!”, 7. “JESUS CHRIST THE LORD”, 8. “I Am Not Sent But Unto The Lost Sheep Of Israel”

God calls all people everywhere to repent (Act 17:29-31),

Those who do not repent will get the sword of God.

Isaiah 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

Jeremiah 16:20 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods? 21 Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.

Isaiah 42:8 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Isaiah 46:5; To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

John 5:23 ; That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Repent! Fear the Lord!

 


JEMIMAH MWENDWA's Acts Chapter 17 comment on 6/24/2011, 5:36am...

Christian should search the word of God like the Berean's so that they will not be fed with false teaching by false teachers and false prophets.

 


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Test Your Knowledge of Acts Chapter 17

1.  With whom did Paul and Silas stay in Thessalonica?


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