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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
17:1-9 Paul Witnesses in Thessalonica. From Philippi Paul traveled the
17:1 Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica were all cities on the main east-west Roman highway called the "Egnatian Way." These cities were separated from each other by about journey by foot.
17:2 The reference to Paul preaching on three Sabbath days gives the impression of a brief stay in Thessalonica, but this was only the period of his synagogue preaching. Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians reflects a longer ministry (see 1 Thess. 2:9; 5:12; also Phil. 4:16).
17:3 necessary for the Christ to suffer. The Jews resisted the idea that the Messiah had to suffer, even though this is found in the OT (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Zech. 12:10; 13:7).
17:4 In the Greco-Roman world women often held prominent positions (see 13:50; 17:12). Some of them were among the devout Greeks (God-fearers) who attended the synagogues.
17:5 The Jews were jealous because they were losing power and influence (cf. 5:17; 13:45); see also 16:19 and 19:23-28, where the opponents to the gospel were stirred up because of their loss of financial gain. On the expression "the Jews," see notes on John 1:19; Acts 9:23.
17:6 men who have turned the world upside down. These hostile opponents spoke better than they knew, for the spread of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire was the beginning of a movement that would change the course of history forever.
17:9 The money as security was given as a guarantee that there would be no more disturbance of the peace as a result of Paul's preaching. As a practical matter, this probably meant that Paul would have to leave Thessalonica, since his Jewish opponents would continue to stir up trouble. This may have been "Satan's hindrance" (1 Thess. 2:18), which Paul said prevented his return to Thessalonica.
