Acts 17 14

Acts 17:14 kjv

And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

Acts 17:14 nkjv

Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.

Acts 17:14 niv

The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea.

Acts 17:14 esv

Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.

Acts 17:14 nlt

The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind.

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 14 Meaning

Acts 17:14 describes the immediate action taken by the new believers in Berea to ensure Paul's safety. After hostile Jews from Thessalonica incited trouble against Paul and his companions in Berea, the local Christian community swiftly arranged for Paul to depart. This strategic move aimed to protect Paul from the immediate threat, allowing Silas and Timothy to remain in Berea to continue the ministry and potentially monitor the situation. Paul was sent away, giving the impression he was heading towards the coast, possibly as a deceptive tactic against his pursuers, as he was eventually escorted to Athens.

Acts 17 14 Context

Acts 17 begins with Paul, Silas, and Timothy's arrival in Thessalonica, where Paul preached in the synagogue for three Sabbaths, leading many, including prominent women and Gentiles, to believe. However, this success stirred up jealousy among the unconverted Jews, who formed a mob to create a riot, accusing Paul and his companions of subverting Caesar's authority by proclaiming another king, Jesus. To ensure their safety, the believers in Thessalonica secretly sent Paul and Silas to Berea (Acts 17:10).

In Berea, the reception was more open. The Bereans were "more noble" than those in Thessalonica, eagerly examining the Scriptures daily to verify Paul's teachings (Acts 17:11). As a result, many, including numerous Greek women and men, became believers. The context of Acts 17:14 directly follows this period of fruitful ministry. However, the Jews from Thessalonica, upon learning that Paul was preaching in Berea, traveled there to continue their opposition, agitating the crowds. This immediate threat prompted the Berean brethren to take the protective action described in the verse, arranging Paul's swift departure while Silas and Timothy remained behind to continue nurturing the nascent church.

Acts 17 14 Word analysis

• Then immediately (Τότε δὲ εὐθέως - Tote de eutheōs):
  • Τότε (Tote - Then): Indicates a sequence of events. Connects to the preceding agitation from Thessalonian Jews.
  • δὲ (de - but/and): A conjunction, here indicating continuation or consequence.
  • εὐθέως (eutheōs - immediately, at once): Emphasizes urgency and swiftness. No delay was permitted due to the perceived danger. Reflects a quick and decisive response by the Berean church leaders, likely without extensive deliberation, prioritizing safety. This word is frequent in Acts, marking dynamic action in the early church.
• the brethren (οἱ ἀδελφοὶ - hoi adelphoi):
  • οἱ ἀδελφοὶ (hoi adelphoi - the brothers/brethren): Refers to the male and female believers in the new Berean Christian community. It highlights collective action and responsibility of the church towards its evangelists. This term underscores the strong familial bond and mutual care within the early church. It's not a decision by Paul alone, but by the community acting in concert.
• sent Paul away (τὸν Παῦλον ἐξαπέστειλαν - ton Paulon exapesteilan):
  • ἐξαπέστειλαν (exapesteilan - they sent away, dispatched): A strong verb, implying a purposeful and complete sending off, not just a casual departure. It can carry a sense of being "sent forth" for a mission (like apostello) but here specifically emphasizes removal from a dangerous situation. It indicates an active dispatch by the community, not Paul's own decision to leave.
• to go as it were to the sea (πορεύεσθαι ὡς ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν - poreuesthai hōs epi tēn thalassan):
  • πορεύεσθαι (poreuesthai - to go, to journey): Standard verb for traveling.
  • ὡς (hōs - as if, as it were, about, toward): This small word is crucial. It can mean "towards" or "as if towards." It creates ambiguity. Scholars debate if Paul literally traveled by sea from a port or if the intention was merely to suggest he was heading that way to deceive his pursuers, while he traveled overland. The context of later arriving in Athens suggests a sea journey from a Macedonian port was most probable, but the "as if" part hints at strategic ambiguity in the direction they publicly announced.
  • ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν (epi tēn thalassan - toward the sea, to the sea): The phrase points to the coastline or a sea route. Macedonia has a coastline, so there would be ports (like Dium or Neapolis) from which Paul could sail to Athens.
• but Silas and Timothy remained there (ὑπέμειναν δὲ ἔτι ἐκεῖ Σίλας καὶ Τιμόθεος - hypemeinan de eti ekei Silas kai Timotheos):
  • ὑπέμειναν (hypemeinan - they remained, endured): The verb suggests not just staying, but perhaps patiently waiting or persevering under difficult circumstances, implying a potentially ongoing risk or mission. It signifies stability and dedication.
  • ἔτι ἐκεῖ (eti ekei - still there): Emphasizes that despite the agitation and Paul's departure, they maintained their presence in Berea. This indicates a strategic decision to consolidate the gains of the mission in Berea.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
• "Then immediately the brethren": Shows the unified, swift, and protective action of the newly formed Berean Christian community. Their proactive stance underscores early Christian solidarity in the face of external threats.
• "sent Paul away to go as it were to the sea": This phrase captures the calculated strategy to remove Paul from immediate danger, possibly using a publicly implied destination to mislead persecutors, while ensuring his escape to another region. The specific "to the sea" route was likely practical for reaching Athens.
• "but Silas and Timothy remained there": This strategic division of the missionary team allowed for the continuation of ministry in Berea despite Paul's departure. It highlights the early church's tactical planning for ongoing evangelism and discipleship even amidst persecution, entrusting co-workers to consolidate new churches. Their staying demonstrates commitment to the Berean believers and a willingness to face potential continued threat.

Acts 17 14 Bonus section

• The incident highlights a recurring theme in Paul's ministry: successful evangelism often led directly to violent opposition, necessitating strategic withdrawals or escapes. This was a pattern experienced in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:50), Iconium (Acts 14:5-6), and Thessalonica (Acts 17:5).
• The active role of "the brethren" in managing Paul's safety illustrates the maturing leadership within newly formed churches. These were not merely passive recipients of the message but active participants in protecting and advancing the Gospel.
• Paul's temporary separation from Silas and Timothy was not uncommon. The early church's missionaries often divided labor or parted ways strategically, sometimes for a season, as seen later with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:39-40), or with Timothy being sent back to Thessalonica (1 Thes 3:1-2) or left in Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3). This flexibility ensured continuous ministry across various locations.

Acts 17 14 Commentary

Acts 17:14 serves as a poignant example of the dynamism and protective nature of the early Christian community, alongside the strategic decision-making in the face of intense opposition. The "immediate" action by the "brethren" demonstrates the powerful bond and responsibility new converts felt towards their apostles. This was not a moment of cowardice but a tactical withdrawal for Paul, a highly targeted individual, to preserve his life and further his mission. The ambiguity in "as it were to the sea" reveals a practical wisdom, possibly designed to confuse the adversaries, safeguarding Paul's true itinerary. Simultaneously, the decision for Silas and Timothy to "remain there" underscores the commitment to establishing and nurturing the Berean church, illustrating that the work of the Gospel does not cease even when a prominent leader departs under duress. This passage encapsulates the resilience of the missionary movement, adaptability to external pressures, and the integral role of community support in the propagation of the faith.