Acts 17:1 – 9 identifies Paul’s and Silas’ journey to Thessalonica. They do not waiver in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, despite being imprisoned prior in Philippi. In verse 2, Luke identifies Paul’s custom of entering Jewish synagogues to reason with them. This custom parallels to Luke 4:16 of Jesus’ custom of entering the synagogue on the Sabbath. The usage of the verb, ἔθω or custom occurs in both passages to describe this customary action. The verb occurs two more times in the New Testament. Therefore, Paul possesses disciple qualities and follows the example of his rabbi, Jesus. Paul filled with the intent to argue that Jesus is the Messiah sets forth by attempting to open the minds of those listening. He does this by setting before (παρατίθημι) them Christ. The verb, παρατίθημι occurs eighteen times in the New Testament. The NIV and NKJV translate the verb as demonstrating, while the RSV translates it as proving. The NASB translates it as giving evidence. However, the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) provides more detail to the Greek usage of this term. The TDNT defines the term as “to give someone something in trust”, “to entrust”. It continues to state, “in ancient Greek and Jewish sphere, as well as ancient Roman, one finds the legal device whereby an object can be entrusted to another’s keeping for a specific period”. The object should be kept free, unused, and undamaged until restored to the owner. Therefore, the trustworthiness of the trustee was the most important. In historical context, Paul not only demonstrates Jesus but presents him to the Jews as someone to be entrusted and kept. Jesus should be kept free, unused, and undamaged. In the addition, the expectation would be for the Jews to be trustworthy recipients. Paul did find trustworthy recipients from some Jews, Greeks, and prominent Jewish women. As previously noted, these recipients made the single decision to believe the Gospel as well as join Paul and Silas. The remainder of the Jewish people who heard the message responds in envy to the point of rioting and dragging Jason out of his home. The verb, ζηλόω, occurs ten times in the New Testament. However, it is only translated twice as envy or jealousy. Therefore the term contains both positive and negative connotations. The second time this translation occurs is in Acts 7:9 when Stephen recounts the story of Joseph being sold into Egypt by his brothers. Therefore, the Jews who do not believe possess the same form of disdain and willingness to harm Paul and Silas. Their actions occur from their jealousy of Paul’s and Silas’ success in proclaiming the Gospel. Their continuous actions to cause harm ends, when they receive a pledge that Paul and Silas will depart. In essence, their actions signify the removal of the Gospel from their presence. Paul’s and Silas’ actions brought the Gospel to Thessalonica, where they received two different responses to the good news of Christ. One response denotes the recipients as trustworthy believers, while the second denotes recipients who removed the Gospel from their presence.
Continue Reading: Trustworthy Believers Pt.II
