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Acts 17:4
ESV And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
NIV Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
NASB And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a significant number of the leading women.
CSB Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.
NLT Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.
KJV And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

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).
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