Miller's Study Notes: A Study of Acts 17:11

Miller's Commentary Notes:

Text: Acts 17:11

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

Questions of Discussion

1. "These" refers to who? See, Bible Students at Berea (Acts 17:11).

2. What is the Greek verb for "more noble?"

3. What was it about the Berean Christians that was of such noble character than those in Thessalonica?  #3610 (See, Acts 17:11b)

4. Who was the Thessalonica? (Acts 27:2) #4442

Notes: ("Thessalonica"), the second city in Europe to hear the preaching voice of St. Paul, and probably the first church to receive an epistle from him, is now called Salonica. Situated on the Great Northern Military Highway from Italy to the east (known as the Egnation Way), it was a strategic commercial and military center in Paul's day. It is still the main street in the modern city. Luke tells us, in the original Greek version of Acts 17:6, 8, that the magistrates or rulers of the city were called Politarchs. For many years modern critical scholars pointed out that this term or title was not found in all Greek literature, and therefore Luke had made a mistake in using it. Later, however, the title was found inscribed on various ruins in Thessalonica, the most prominent of which was on the arch of Vardar Gate, which expanded the Egnation Way, at the west entrance of the city. The inscription runs in part as follows:

In the time of Politarchs, Sosipatros, son of Cleopatra, and Lucius Pontus Secundus Publius

Flavius Sabinus, Demetrius, son of Faustus, Demetrius, son of Faustus, Demetrius of Nicopolis, 

Zoilos, son of Parmenio, and Meniscus Gaius Agilleius Poteitus....

Thus it named the six city officials who were head of the "people's assembly." Paul and Luke certainly passed through the gateway and noted the inscription with interest. Thus, Luke wrote quite correctly of the magistrates-calling them by the title which apparently was used only in that section of the country. The arch was torn down during the riot in 1876, after which the inscription was acquired by the British and it is now in the British Museum. Once again archaeology verified the correctness of the Scriptural account.

5. What was the noble character of the Bereans? According to Acts 17:11 it says, "they (Bereans) received the word with all readiness of mind,..." (See, 1 Thess. 2:13): "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which ye heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." The believers at Thessalonica received the truth of God's Word; not as the word of men. It is difficult for many of God's people to receive the truth of God's Word simply because they place so much emphasis upon what someone says instead of receiving the truth of God's Word (2 Tim. 3:15, 16).

6. What was the noble character of the Bereans? According to Acts 17:11c it says,"searched the scriptures daily, whether those [things] were so." #428 (See, Searched "The Word.") 

a. Deut. 17:19: "And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the [words] of this law and these statutes, to do them."

b. Isa. 34:16: "Seek ye out the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them."

c. Jn. 5:39: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

d. Ac. 17:11: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

e. Ro. 15:4: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

7. What was the duty of the Bereans in discerning spiritual truth? Also, according to Acts 17:11 c it says, "....searching the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." The duty of God's people is to know the truth of God's Word so as to discern truth from error (1 Jn. 4:1).  It is unfortunate that there are so many believers who are not well grounded in the Bible to know whether someone is telling them the truth or not. People in the church today are personality driven; not Bible-driven. In so many words they are influenced by the charismatic personality of their favored televangelist, but, are ignorant when it comes to their knowledge and understanding of God's Word. We as the church must grow in the grace and knowledge of God's Word; not through some "spirited" or esoteric knowledge by which many professing Christian teachers believe it is their pathway to having a "personal" conversation without knowing the Person of Jesus Christ. 

8. How often must the church searched the scriptures? According to Acts 17:11 says, "searched the scriptures daily,..."  #1059

a. Heb. 3:13: "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be [hardened] through the deceitfulness of sin." It is so important that we exhort each other daily based upon God's Word and to not allow that of the deceitfulness of sin in deceiving those who continued to reject what is biblical truth. There are so many professing believers who hear God's Word day in and day out, but, at the same time reject that of the truth the gospel of their salvation. They receive spiritual light, but, they reject divine life in Christ (Heb. 6:10ff). Many professing believers who what is the biblical truth is to experience the wrath of God (Rom. 1:18-32).

b. Ex. 16:4: "Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. (See, 1 Chr. 16:37; 2 Chr. 8:14; Ezra 3:4).

c. Ne. 8:18: "Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner."

d. Psa. 88:9: "Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called [daily] upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee." (Psa. 145:2).

e. Psa. 8:34: "Blessed is the man that [heareth] me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." 

f. Luk. 9:23: "And he said to them all, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [daily], and follow me."

g. Heb. 3:13: "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

9. Why was it that the Bereans were so eager to know the truth? #4150

a. Mt. 10:17: "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asketh him, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

b. Mk. 12:37: "David therefore himself called him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly."

c. Lu. 21:38: And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him."

d. Jn. 4:40: "So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days."

e. Ac. 10:33: "Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that we are commanded thee of God."

f. Ac. 13:42: "And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath."

g. Ac. 17:11: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they receive the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

11. What was the attitude of the Bereans? According to Acts 17:11b it says, "they received the [word] with all readiness of mind,..." #2960 (See, Spiritual Receptivity)

a. Mt. 13:23: "But he that [received] seed into the good ground is he that [heareth] the word, and understandeth it; which also bear fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

b.Lu. 10:38: "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha [received] him into her house."

c. Lu. 10:39: "And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus's feet, and heard his word."

d. Ac. 2:41: "Then they that gladly [received] his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

e. Ac. 17:11: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they [received] the word with all [readiness] of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

f. 1 Th. 2:13: "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye [received] the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Summary: It is so important that as you begin to read each passage/s of scripture is to write each verse on a separate piece of paper by writing the complete Bible passage. As you also begin to look at the structure of the text, the wording of the text and the type of literature that you are reading is to be a good student of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15) There is hard work in studying God's Word; there is no "substitute" in studying God's Word. It requires both mind, and willingness to commit to the task of studying God's Word. It takes time and patience. To "prematurely" or presumably study God's Word haphazardly is to dishonor the God of the Bible. The reason for the proliferation of cults and heresies is due to the ignorance of God's people. Instead of studying God's Word for themselves they rely so much upon the leadership of the church by which they become so easily led astray by false teachers in the church today (Eph. 4:13).  Each particular phrase, words, and sentence of the text of scripture must coincide with comparing scripture with scripture in order to understand the text under study. We must also read previous, but, preceding passages of the Bible in order to understand the immediate context. "Context, context, context rules." The best interpretation of the Bible is the Bible itself. Scripture interprets scripture (1 Cor. 2:13). This is the basics of Bible interpretation ("hermeneutics").

Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the founder and Lead pastor of Contending for the Faith Reformed Church of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also president and Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the best-selling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From?" He is the Podcast Host of, "Ask Darryl" which regularly airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."