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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 17:1-9

Paul's two epistles to the Thessalonians, the first two he wrote by inspiration, give such a shining character of that church, that we cannot but be glad here in the history to meet with an account of the first founding of the church there. I. Here is Paul's coming to Thessalonica, which was the chief city of this country, called at this day Salonech, in the Turkish dominions. Observe, 1. Paul went on with his work, notwithstanding the ill usage he had met with at Philippi; he did not fail,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 17:1-9

17:1-9 When they had taken the road through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Paul, as his custom was, went in to them and, for three Sabbaths, he debated with them from the scriptures, opening the scriptures to them and presenting the evidence that Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, "and this man," he said, "is the Christ, Jesus whom I proclaim to you." Some of them believed and threw in their lot with Paul and Silas.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 17:3

Opening ,.... That is, the Scriptures of the Old Testament, explaining and expounding them, giving the true sense of them; so this word is frequently used in Jewish writings F5 Zohar passim. , as that such a Rabbi פתח , "opened", such a Scripture: and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead ; he set this matter in a clear light, and made it plain and manifest, from the writings of the Old Testament, that there was a necessity of the Messiah's... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:3

Opening and alleging - Παρατιθεμνος , Proving by citations. His method seems to have been this: 1st. He collected the scriptures that spoke of the Messiah. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:3

Verse 3− 3.Opening. In this place he describeth the sum and subject of the disputation, and he putteth down two members concerning Christ, that he must have died and risen again, and that the son of Mary which was crucified is Christ. When the question is concerning Christ, there come three things in question, Whether he be, who he is, and what he is. If Paul had had to deal with the Gentiles, he must have fet his beginning farther; − (244) because they had heard nothing concerning Christ;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:1-9

A fulfilled and an unfulfilled prophecy. These verses would supply us with other material for thought. They present to us: 1. Christian workers patiently and conscientiously proceeding with their mission ( Acts 17:1 , Acts 17:2 ). 2. Christian advocates employing the weapon which was prepared for their use ( Acts 17:3 ). 3. Christian laborers reaping a blessed spiritual harvest ( Acts 17:4 ). 4. Faithful followers of the Lord partaking of his sufferings ( Acts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:1-9

Paul at Thessalonica. I. HIS WORK . The synagogue was here again the scene of labor; the substance of the evangel again the theme of his discourse. 1. This is in contents ever the same; founded on the Scriptures. His special function as an apostle did not set him free from the authority of the past. Religion at any epoch is the fulfillment of all that has gone before and the prophecy of all that is to be. But let us beware of the slavery of the letter, and seek the truth of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:1-9

Thessalonica. Interest of the occasion, in view of the two Epistles afterwards written. The contrast between the Thessalonian and Philippian populations partly due to the presence of the Jewish synagogue. The Greek proselytes numerous. The Jews divided into two classes, the devout and the fanatical. The political element always ready to be called into use against the gospel, so that the multitude and the rulers were troubled. I. Take the whole narration as affording a glimpse into THE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:1-15

The strange alliance. Among the hindrances to the progress of the gospel in the world we have often to notice the combination of the most discordant elements for the purpose of obstruction. Pilate and Herod were made friends together when they united in crucifying the Lord of glory. When the chief priests and Pharisees, in their blind hatred of the Lord Jesus Christ, sought his death, they did not scruple to invoke the aid of the Roman power, the object of their bitterest hatred and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:2-3

The work of three sabbath days. It was a great idea, and much more than mere idea with Paul, to "redeem the time." He would not have stayed a continuous three weeks in one place doing nothing at all, much less doing what was good for nothing, or for very little. The time he gave, therefore, to a subject, and the stress he laid upon it, may fairly measure to a certain degree his persuasion of the value of it. There are subjects which depend upon their very mode of treatment, not in the... read more

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