Acts 17 12

Acts 17:12 kjv

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Acts 17:12 nkjv

Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

Acts 17:12 niv

As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

Acts 17:12 esv

Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

Acts 17:12 nlt

As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 12 Meaning

Acts 17:12 recounts the positive outcome of Paul's ministry in Berea. As a direct result of the Bereans' diligent and open-minded examination of the Scriptures, a significant number of people, including both some from the Jewish community, and importantly, many influential Greek women along with Greek men, embraced faith in Jesus Christ. This verse highlights the profound impact of God's Word when it is received with a sincere desire for truth.

Acts 17 12 Context

Acts 17:12 is situated within Paul's second missionary journey. Immediately prior, in Acts 17:10-11, Paul and Silas had arrived in Berea after being forced to leave Thessalonica due to persecution. The verse highlights the remarkable difference between the two cities: while in Thessalonica Paul faced immediate opposition from some Jews, in Berea, the local Jewish community (and others) exhibited a "more noble-minded" approach. They welcomed Paul's message with eagerness and, critically, verified his teachings daily by thoroughly examining the Hebrew Scriptures. This careful scrutiny of the Word of God laid the foundation for the belief described in verse 12. The historical context reflects Paul's typical missionary strategy of first preaching in synagogues, then extending to Gentiles. The presence of "Greek women of high standing" illustrates the gospel's impact across social strata in the Greco-Roman world.

Acts 17 12 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν, oun): A strong logical connector, signifying a direct consequence or result. It links the belief of the Bereans to their prior "noble-mindedness" and diligent daily examination of the Scriptures mentioned in Acts 17:11. This outcome flowed from their readiness to engage with the truth.
• many of them (πολλοὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν, polloi ex autōn):
  • polloi: Means "many," indicating a substantial number.
  • ex autōn: "out of them" or "from among them." This primarily refers to the Jews who were in the synagogue, where Paul had been preaching. It suggests a significant portion of the Jewish audience, unlike the widespread rejection Paul often encountered.
• believed (ἐπίστευσαν, episteusan):
  • Aorist active indicative of the verb pisteuō (πιστεύω), meaning "to put one's faith in," "to trust," "to rely on," or "to be convinced of." This signifies a decisive, saving act of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, based on the evidence found in the Old Testament Scriptures that Paul had presented. It indicates not just intellectual assent but a transformative commitment.
• and also (καί γε, kai ge): An emphatic conjunction meaning "even," "indeed," or "especially." It highlights the significant addition of a new, notable group to the believers, adding weight and emphasis to their inclusion.
• not a few (οὐκ ὀλίγαι, ouk oligai): This is a rhetorical figure called litotes, using a double negative ("not" and "few") to emphatically state the positive – "a great many," or "a significant number." It underlines the remarkable quantity of these Greek women and men who came to faith.
• of the Greek women (τῶν Ἑλληνίδων γυναικῶν, tōn Hellēnidōn gynaikōn):
  • Hellēnidōn: Designates non-Jewish, Greek-speaking women. Their inclusion underscores the universal reach of the Gospel beyond Judaism.
  • gynaikōn: Refers to adult women.
• of high standing (τῶν εὐσχημόνων, tōn euschemōnōn):
  • From euschemon, meaning "honorable," "respectable," "of good family," "well-born," or "of high social standing." These were likely women with social influence, wealth, or a prominent position in society. Their conversion was particularly notable as it indicated the Gospel's appeal extended even to the societal elite, potentially granting the early Christian community credibility and resources.
• and men (καὶ ἀνδρῶν, kai andrōn):
  • andrōn: A general term for adult men.
  • Completes the description of those who believed, showing that the conversions were not limited by gender and included the general male population alongside the influential women.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Therefore many of them believed": This phrase directly attributes the spiritual growth and conversions in Berea to the commendable actions described in the preceding verse (Acts 17:11) – the Bereans' receptiveness and diligent study of the Scriptures. It demonstrates the direct link between seeking truth and finding faith.
• "and also not a few of the Greek women of high standing": This specific phrase highlights the profound societal impact of the Gospel. It indicates that the Christian message transcended social and gender barriers. The conversion of "women of high standing" was particularly significant for several reasons: it demonstrated the dignity the Gospel offered women (often marginalized in society), and their influence could aid in spreading the message and providing support for the nascent Christian community. Luke often points out such conversions (e.g., Lydia in Acts 16), signifying the broad appeal and power of the new faith.

Acts 17 12 Bonus section

• The contrast between the immediate context of Acts 17:5-9 (opposition and trouble in Thessalonica) and Acts 17:10-12 (receptivity and belief in Berea) illustrates varying human responses to the Gospel. While persecution is often part of gospel proclamation, genuine receptiveness to the Word yields spiritual fruit.
• Luke, the author of Acts, consistently highlights the conversion of women in his narratives (e.g., Acts 1:14; 5:14; 9:2; 12:12; 16:1, 13-15; 17:34). This suggests an early and significant involvement of women in the nascent Christian movement, often holding positions of influence or leadership that were unusual in their broader cultural contexts.
• The phrase "high standing" (εὐσχημόνων, euschemōnōn) appears in other places in Acts (Acts 13:50 where prominent women and men are involved in persecution, and Acts 25:2 where chief priests and leading men accuse Paul), suggesting a consistent acknowledgment by Luke of the social impact of individuals, whether for good or ill, within the spread of the Gospel.

Acts 17 12 Commentary

Acts 17:12 serves as a pivotal summary of the Berean episode, showcasing the transformative power of the Gospel when it encounters genuine openness and earnest Scriptural engagement. The "therefore" emphatically connects the surge of belief to the "noble-mindedness" of the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who meticulously searched the Old Testament to confirm Paul's teachings about the Messiah. This active discernment led to true conversion, distinguishing them from the resistant crowd in Thessalonica.

The verse notably emphasizes the diversity of those who believed: "many of them" (referring to the Jews who heard in the synagogue), and specifically, "not a few of the Greek women of high standing and men." This demonstrates the universal reach of the Gospel message. The conversion of influential "Greek women of high standing" is particularly significant. It reveals that Christianity appealed to all social strata, not just the marginalized, and that the early church provided a new space where women, regardless of their societal standing, found spiritual equality and prominent roles (Gal 3:28). Their belief would have brought credibility, influence, and potentially resources to the fledgling Christian community in Berea, further empowering its establishment and growth. The account implicitly underscores that genuine faith arises from a Spirit-enabled conviction combined with an active, biblical examination of truth, yielding diverse and widespread fruit.