Boldness in Berea

Introduction

We know that opposition to the Gospel of Christ, and those who preach it can and will arise.

It is important that we learn to match our expectations of the world with biblical teaching.

In Thessalonica, Paul met for three sabbath days in the synagogue laying out a biblical case about the Messiah.

This will be important for the contrast today.

We will learn something about the Thessalonian Jews today.

In our own times, we are accustomed to terms such as “confirmation bias” or “echo chamber.”

Most people want to have their views confirmed.

Few want to put in the work to know why they should hold their views.

Perhaps we will learn there can be positive responses along with negative ones.

Note the contrasts: association, opposition, open minded vs. close minded

An Out of the Way Escape

While the turmoil arose in Thessalonica, Paul, apparently, had not yet left the city.

When the night time arose, the brothers sent him and Silas to Berea.

Night time travel was fraught with danger. It did not happen too often.

Traveling the roads at night must have been a safer option than remaining in Thessalonica.

We should note that Luke, in this whole section, only once elevates Paul to the subject.

Even here, he refers to him along with Silas.

Cicero described Berea as “in oppidum devium”: “an off-the-road town.”

It was located some 40 miles west-southwest of Thessalonica.

It was not on the major road, the Egnatian Way.

Paul returned, evidently, to his customary practice (see Acts 17:1), when he reached Berea (3 days travel, perhaps).

An Open Minded Audience

Luke shifts his attention to the Jews of Berea.

They differed in a significant way to their Thessalonican counterparts.

By “nobler,” Luke, apparently, wishes his reader to reflect upon Paul’s three Sabbath days in Thessalonica.

In Berea, he found a more open-minded, intellectual curious audience.

In Thessalonica, Paul had, it seems, made his case weekly to a mostly close-minded, hostile audience.

The Bereans welcomed the word “with all eagerness/desire.”

They wanted to hear what Paul had to say.

But, they did not take his word for it. They examined the scriptures.

Paul was not the focus of their forensic examination.

The scriptures were. This, it seems, they understood to be the ultimate authority.

They were willing to change their views, if Paul’s explanation of the scriptures turned out to be the correct one.

They believed, but not just the Jews.

A Hostile Reaction

Luke draws out the distinction between Thessalonica and Berea with great subtilty.

Opposition to the gospel did not emerge from Berea.

It came from Thessalonica.

They returned to their “old tricks” too.

Shaking and agitating the crowds.

Luke brings the narrative full-circle to show the brotherly aid given to Paul.

Such aid is not secondary to the narrative.

It is vital to understanding Paul’s protection and longevity.

He benefited from their generosity.

The town had a reputation as a “noble city.”