Noble Enough to Check
[ READ ] Acts 17:1-15
Paul and Silas in Thessalonica
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 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. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
Paul and Silas in Berea
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 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. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
Paul and Silas in Berea
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
How providential that I have the opportunity to think and write about Jason of Thessalonica. Orthodox tradition, outside the Bible, holds that Paul later appointed him bishop of Tarsus and that he served as a missionary to the island of Corfu, where many came to faith in Christ. Jason was an important figure in the early church, and Luke honors him by mentioning him by name in Acts.
But what matters most for us today in this passage? How should Jason's example shape our own lives?
I would suggest that Jason was:
Hospitable - he opened his home to itinerant missionaries.
Courageous - he accepted public association with Paul despite an angry mob.
Financially sacrificial - he paid a substantial bond for the sake of the church.
Steadfast - there is no indication that he renounced his faith under pressure.
May those same qualities be found in each of us!
- Jason Rimmer
But what matters most for us today in this passage? How should Jason's example shape our own lives?
I would suggest that Jason was:
Hospitable - he opened his home to itinerant missionaries.
Courageous - he accepted public association with Paul despite an angry mob.
Financially sacrificial - he paid a substantial bond for the sake of the church.
Steadfast - there is no indication that he renounced his faith under pressure.
May those same qualities be found in each of us!
- Jason Rimmer
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ What would I have done if an angry crowd of people were at my door looking for a fellow brother in Christ?
+ What would I have done if an angry crowd of people were at my door looking for a fellow brother in Christ?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Am I prepared to be tested? Would I withstand a real physical test of my faith?
+ Am I prepared to be tested? Would I withstand a real physical test of my faith?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord prepare me now for the trials that you already know may come my way. Help to me to keep faith with my brother and sisters. Imprint your scripture in my heart and mind to recollect when I need it most. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord prepare me now for the trials that you already know may come my way. Help to me to keep faith with my brother and sisters. Imprint your scripture in my heart and mind to recollect when I need it most. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ With what friend or mentor may I discuss this passage of scripture?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ With what friend or mentor may I discuss this passage of scripture?
Recent
Archive
2026
April
May
Leaders Gone WrongA Coming KingWhat God RequiresThe Fall of NinevehThe Day Draws NearGod Rejoices Over YouHow Long, O Lord?The Righteous Live by FaithYet I Will RejoiceWake Up and ReturnThe Lord Judges But He Also RestoresPride Comes DownConsider Your WaysGreater Glory AheadReturn to Me AgainNot by MightGod Dwells AgainYour King Is ComingLook on HimHalf-Hearted WorshipThe Sun of Righteousness
June
The Promise of the SpiritWaiting and ChoosingWind, Fire and WonderThe Gospel Goes PublicWhat the Church Looked LikeMore Than Silver or GoldRepent and Be RestoredArrested but UnsilencedOne Heart, One MindThe Cost of PretendingRejoicing at Being BeatenWhen the Church Has ProblemsA People Who ForgotThe God Who Keeps ComingBlood and ScatteringA Cast Down SoulLight and TruthOur HelpThe Throne of GodGod Our FortressYou Cannot Buy What God GivesA Road, a Stranger, a Question
July
The Day Everything ChangedA New Man on MissionA Vision That Breaks BarriersThe Spirit Has No FavoritesExplaining the UnexpectedThe Gospel Finds New GroundWhen the Church PraysThe Word Keeps MovingSet Apart and SentThe Story That Leads to JesusRejected Here, Welcome ThereMistaken for Gods, Treated as EnemiesStrengthening What Was StartedBlessed Are the RighteousBlessed Are Those Who Take RefugeBlessed Are His PeopleBlessed Are Those Who Call on HimBlessed Are the ForgivenA Hard Question, A Gathered Church A Letter, A Disagreement, A DecisionOpen Roads and Open HeartsSinging at MidnightNoble Enough to Check
No Comments