Acts 17:2 - Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
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What does "Acts 17:2" mean?
This verse from Acts 17:2 describes Paul's method of evangelism and teaching in the synagogue in Thessalonica. Let's break it down:
"Paul, as was his custom, went in to them...": This highlights that Paul had a regular practice of going to Jewish synagogues first whenever he entered a new city. He believed that the Jewish people, having the scriptures, were the logical starting point for spreading the gospel. This shows his respect for his heritage and his understanding of the Old Testament's role in pointing to Jesus.
"...and for three Sabbath days...": Paul spent three consecutive Sabbaths in the synagogue. The Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest, was a day when Jewish people gathered for worship and scripture reading. This gave Paul a consistent opportunity to address a large audience. The fact that it was only three Sabbaths suggests either that he was only able to stay there for that long or that his message caused a disturbance and he had to leave.
"...reasoned with them from the Scriptures...": This is the core of Paul's approach. He didn't just proclaim his own ideas. He used the Jewish scriptures (the Old Testament) to argue his case for Jesus being the Messiah. The word "reasoned" implies a thoughtful and logical discussion, likely involving interpretation, explanation, and answering questions. He was attempting to persuade them, not just dictate dogma. He was likely pointing out prophecies, types, and shadows in the Old Testament that foreshadowed Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
In essence, the verse is telling us:
Paul had a strategy: He prioritized sharing the gospel with Jewish communities, using their own scriptures as the foundation.
He was committed: He dedicated his time and efforts to teaching in the synagogue.
He was persuasive: He used reasoned arguments based on scripture to convince people about Jesus.
This verse sets the stage for the narrative in Acts 17, showing how Paul's message was received, the divisions it caused, and ultimately, the spread of the gospel. It demonstrates a key element of early Christian evangelism: grounding the message in the Old Testament scriptures and engaging in thoughtful discussions with potential believers.
Acts 17:2 - Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
What does "Acts 17:2" mean?
This verse from Acts 17:2 describes Paul's method of evangelism and teaching in the synagogue in Thessalonica. Let's break it down:
"Paul, as was his custom, went in to them...": This highlights that Paul had a regular practice of going to Jewish synagogues first whenever he entered a new city. He believed that the Jewish people, having the scriptures, were the logical starting point for spreading the gospel. This shows his respect for his heritage and his understanding of the Old Testament's role in pointing to Jesus.
"...and for three Sabbath days...": Paul spent three consecutive Sabbaths in the synagogue. The Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest, was a day when Jewish people gathered for worship and scripture reading. This gave Paul a consistent opportunity to address a large audience. The fact that it was only three Sabbaths suggests either that he was only able to stay there for that long or that his message caused a disturbance and he had to leave.
"...reasoned with them from the Scriptures...": This is the core of Paul's approach. He didn't just proclaim his own ideas. He used the Jewish scriptures (the Old Testament) to argue his case for Jesus being the Messiah. The word "reasoned" implies a thoughtful and logical discussion, likely involving interpretation, explanation, and answering questions. He was attempting to persuade them, not just dictate dogma. He was likely pointing out prophecies, types, and shadows in the Old Testament that foreshadowed Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
In essence, the verse is telling us:
Paul had a strategy: He prioritized sharing the gospel with Jewish communities, using their own scriptures as the foundation.
He was committed: He dedicated his time and efforts to teaching in the synagogue.
He was persuasive: He used reasoned arguments based on scripture to convince people about Jesus.
This verse sets the stage for the narrative in Acts 17, showing how Paul's message was received, the divisions it caused, and ultimately, the spread of the gospel. It demonstrates a key element of early Christian evangelism: grounding the message in the Old Testament scriptures and engaging in thoughtful discussions with potential believers.