What does Acts 17:4 mean?
Paul, Silas, and Timothy are in the city of Thessalonica in Macedonia. In Philippi, their ministry was sabotaged by Gentiles. These critics blamed them for financial misfortune when Paul freed their slave girl from a fortune-telling demon (Acts 16:16–24). In Thessalonica, they enjoy thoughtful discussions with Jews and God-fearing Gentiles at the local synagogue. At least, they can do this for three weeks (Acts 17:2).Paul has been showing the people of the synagogue how the Jewish Scriptures explain the Messiah must die and rise again. "Devout Greeks" are Gentiles who worship the Jewish God but have not gone so far as to fully convert to Judaism. Macedonian women are more independent than many in the Roman Empire, like Lydia who ran a business in Philippi and invited Paul's team to stay with her (Acts 16:14–15). Not mentioned is that many pagans join the church in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
Even with this core of believers, Paul and his team rely on support from Philippi (Philippians 4:15–16). As in Corinth (1 Corinthians 9:7–14), Paul would rather work than make any requests—however reasonable—that would distract from the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8).
Acts 17:1–9 relates that Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled to Thessalonica, having left Luke in Philippi. As usual, they start in the synagogue, showing how the prophecies of the Jewish Scriptures say the Messiah must die and rise from the dead. And as usual some of the Jews and many of the Gentiles believe them, while other Jews reject their message. For the first time, however, Paul's antagonists can't find him or his team, so they attack several converts. The new church protects Paul, Silas, and Timothy and sends them southwest to Berea.
Acts 17 describes how Paul's ministry travels down the coast of Greece. In Thessalonica, some Jews and God-fearing Gentiles believe while other Jews start a riot (Acts 17:1–9). The Bereans study the veracity of Paul's statements—until the Thessalonian Jews arrive and threaten to start another riot (Acts 17:10–15). Paul flees to Athens where the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers accept Paul's argument when he uses Greek poets to introduce God as the creator of the world, but lose interest when he mentions the resurrection from the dead (Acts 17:16–34).
