Acts 17:4 - Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.
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What does "Acts 17:4" mean?
Acts 17:4 describes the immediate aftermath of Paul and Silas's preaching in Thessalonica. Let's break down the verse:
"Some of them were persuaded...": This refers to some of the Jewish people in the synagogue who had listened to Paul and Silas's message. They were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah.
"...and joined Paul and Silas...": This indicates that they became followers of Paul and Silas, associating themselves with their ministry and the Christian community. They were converting to Christianity.
"...of the devout Greeks a great multitude...": These were Gentiles who were already sympathetic to Judaism, often attending the synagogue and observing some Jewish customs. They were "God-fearers," drawn to the monotheism and ethical teachings of Judaism. Many of these Gentiles were also persuaded by Paul's message and became Christians. The verse emphasizes that there was a large number of them.
"...and not a few of the chief women.": These were women of high social standing in Thessalonica. This detail is significant because it suggests that the message of Paul and Silas was appealing to people from diverse backgrounds, including those with influence and status. The term "chief women" could refer to women of prominent families, women who held positions of authority, or wealthy and influential women.
In summary, the verse highlights the success of Paul and Silas's preaching in Thessalonica. It shows that their message resonated with:
Some Jews: Who accepted Jesus as the Messiah
Many devout Gentiles (God-fearers): Who were drawn to the Christian faith
Influential women: Showing the message was impactful across social classes.
This verse illustrates the early church's growth and its appeal to a broad audience, including both Jews and Gentiles. It also suggests the important role that women played in the early Christian community.
Acts 17:4 - Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.
What does "Acts 17:4" mean?
Acts 17:4 describes the immediate aftermath of Paul and Silas's preaching in Thessalonica. Let's break down the verse:
"Some of them were persuaded...": This refers to some of the Jewish people in the synagogue who had listened to Paul and Silas's message. They were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah.
"...and joined Paul and Silas...": This indicates that they became followers of Paul and Silas, associating themselves with their ministry and the Christian community. They were converting to Christianity.
"...of the devout Greeks a great multitude...": These were Gentiles who were already sympathetic to Judaism, often attending the synagogue and observing some Jewish customs. They were "God-fearers," drawn to the monotheism and ethical teachings of Judaism. Many of these Gentiles were also persuaded by Paul's message and became Christians. The verse emphasizes that there was a large number of them.
"...and not a few of the chief women.": These were women of high social standing in Thessalonica. This detail is significant because it suggests that the message of Paul and Silas was appealing to people from diverse backgrounds, including those with influence and status. The term "chief women" could refer to women of prominent families, women who held positions of authority, or wealthy and influential women.
In summary, the verse highlights the success of Paul and Silas's preaching in Thessalonica. It shows that their message resonated with:
Some Jews: Who accepted Jesus as the Messiah
Many devout Gentiles (God-fearers): Who were drawn to the Christian faith
Influential women: Showing the message was impactful across social classes.
This verse illustrates the early church's growth and its appeal to a broad audience, including both Jews and Gentiles. It also suggests the important role that women played in the early Christian community.