v.1-4
Ob and In:
1. Words related to Paul's ministry:
a. travel...came to...went to the Jews in the synagogue, as he customarily did
NET Thessalonica (modern Salonica) was a city in Macedonia about 33 mi (53 km) west of Apollonia. It was the capital of Macedonia. The road they traveled over was called the Via Egnatia. It is likely they rode horses, given their condition in Philippi. The implication of v. 1 is that the two previously mentioned cities lacked a synagogue.
Reflection: The suffering in Phillipi did not made the vision of Macedonia any lighter in Paul's heart. He aimed the capital of Macedonia even with body pain and discomfort from the beating. Do I have that determination of Paul?
b. addressed them from the scriptures=(BDAG) to engage in speech interchange, converse, discuss, argue... esp. of instructional discourse that frequently includes exchange of opinions; (NET) What is at issue is the address which any qualified member of a synagogue might give.” Other examples of this may be found in the NT in Matt 4:23 and Mark 1:21.
c. explaining=BDAG interpret the Scriptures
d. demonstrating=BDAG point out
NET The Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead. These two points (suffering and resurrection) would have been among the more controversial aspects of Paul’s messianic preaching. The term translated “had to” (δεῖ, dei) shows how divine design and scripture corresponded here.
e. proclaiming=BDAG to make known in public, with implication of broad dissemination [widely spreading], proclaim, announce
2. The result of Paul's ministry: some of them were persuaded BDAG=be persuaded, believe and joined Paul...BDAG to be in close association, be attached to
EBC At times the proclamation was accompanied by miracles. But though miracles brought quick results, “reason,” “prove,” and “persuade”—words that describe Paul’s method of preaching—imply his careful dealing with his hearers’ questions and doubts.
Reflection: The result of Paul's ministry reflected the method he used. He addressed to the Scriptures and people's understanding of it. As a result, people's heart is persuaded and willing to attached to him. He helped them to see what was already in the Scriptures, the authority of their lives. His job was just to interpret, point out, and make it known. How do I apply to this to the people I share the Gospel with? Do I address the need of the hearers? Maybe their issues is their questions and doubts. Or their issues is the authority of the Scriptures. Or others. Do I know and address them?
v.5-8
Ob and In:
1. The commotion caused by the jealous Jews
they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar v.5
trying to find Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly [NET “in a Hellenistic city, a convocation of citizens called together for the purpose of transacting official business, popular assembly]
they dragged Jason...screaming v.6
Why they screamed? Those were intense emotional reactions and required a lot of efforts. They wanted to form a big scene for Paul intentionally. Why? v.5 said they became jealous=BDAG to have intense negative feelings over another’s achievements or success, be filled w. jealousy, envy.
They did not like Paul not because what he said was wrong or what he explained and pointed out from the Scriptures were doubtful. It was because they did not like his achievement or success. And that was why they have this big emotional outrages and did all these things.
Reflection: Did I do anything because of jealous? Not rational, spending too much effort, and intentional making things a big deal just because I did not like someone's achievement? Pray that I will not fall into the trap of jealous.
2. Who were they and what they charged against Paul
These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world have come here too
NET Note how some of those present had knowledge of what had happened elsewhere. Word about Paul and his companions and their message was spreading.
They are all acting against Caesar’s decrees, saying there is another king named Jesus! v.7b
NET The charges are serious, involving sedition (Luke 23:2). If the political charges were true, Rome would have to react.
Those Jews were serious religious Jews and they received messages from other Jews in Israel and other parts of the world, and that was why they knew about Paul. When Paul explained from the Scriptures that Jesus is Christ they did not received his message because of presuppositions (?). Then when they saw a large group of proselytes and prominent women believed they became jealous of Paul's success. They wanted to use the Roman's force to put down Paul. They picked the most serious charge and the message of Paul, "Jesus is the Christ" into a political crime of treason.
Reflection: What do I do with truth that I spent so much time to study? Will I just be blinded by presuppositions and do not see the truth? Or I just deny it because of jealous? How serious is my study of truth?
Their kind of jealous is the one with the most intense emotion. Not only they caused a big commotion in the city, but they hated Paul to the degree that they wanted them to die or in serious troubles.
10-15
16-21
22-28
29-34
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