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 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 18:5 | Silas and Timothy joined Paul in Corinth. | To Silas and Timothy's presence. |
| 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 | Paul sends Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians. | Similar mission and concern. |
| 1 Thessalonians 3:5 | Timothy reported on the Thessalonians' faith and love. | Importance of reports from emissaries. |
| 2 Corinthians 11:28 | Paul mentions daily concern for the churches. | Paul's pastoral heart. |
| Philippians 2:19-20 | Paul hopes to send Timothy to care for the Philippians. | Sending trusted companions. |
| Romans 16:21 | Timothy sends greetings from Macedonia. | Timothy's involvement in ministry. |
| Acts 16:1-3 | Timothy is circumcised by Paul to facilitate ministry in Judea. | Timothy's willing participation. |
| 1 Timothy 4:14 | Do not neglect the gift that is in you, conferred by prophecy. | Gifts of ministry. |
| 2 Timothy 1:6 | Rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. | Gifts for service. |
| Matthew 18:20 | Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. | The presence of Christ with disciples. |
| John 14:18 | I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. | Christ's continued presence. |
| Psalm 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God's unfailing support. |
| Psalm 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | Trust in God amidst fear. |
| Proverbs 18:24 | A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | Value of steadfast companionship. |
| Jeremiah 15:10 | "But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail." | God's power through persecution. |
| Romans 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | Confidence in God's presence. |
| 1 Corinthians 15:57 | Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Victory in Christ. |
| Hebrews 13:6 | So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man can do to me.” | Assurance of God's help. |
| 1 Peter 5:10 | And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace…will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. | God's restorative power. |
| 1 John 4:4 | You are from God, little children, and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. | Greater power in Christ. |
Acts 17 verses
Acts 17 14 Meaning
The verse describes a swift and decisive action taken by the disciples, specifically Silas and Timothy, to rejoin Paul in Athens. Their immediate departure and journey to him highlight their commitment and obedience to the mission, enabling them to bring vital support and encouragement to Paul while he faced opposition.
Acts 17 14 Context
Following his departure from Berea due to persecution, Paul arrived in Athens alone. The city, a hub of philosophy and idolatry, presented a new environment for Paul's evangelistic efforts, as detailed in the preceding verses. The scattering of the believers from Berea led to Silas and Timothy being separated from Paul. This verse marks a reunion, with Silas and Timothy, instructed by Paul, coming to him from Berea (or Thessalonia, then proceeding to Athens to meet him). Their arrival would have been a significant encouragement to Paul as he ministered in the challenging intellectual and spiritual climate of Athens. This journey emphasizes the connectivity and support system within the early church and the reliance on obedience to apostolic instruction.
Acts 17 14 Word Analysis
- δε (de): "But" or "And." A conjunction, introducing a contrast or a continuation, here connecting the preceding account of Paul's situation in Athens with the arrival of Silas and Timothy.
- ὣς (hōs): "When" or "As." A temporal conjunction, indicating the time of the action.
- τὸν (ton): "The." The definite article.
- Σίλαν (Sılan): "Silas." Proper noun, a prominent companion of Paul, also known as Silvanus. He was a Roman citizen and a leading figure in the Jerusalem church.
- καὶ (kai): "And." A coordinating conjunction.
- Τιμόθεον (Timotheon): "Timothy." Proper noun, a disciple closely associated with Paul, described as his "true child in the faith." He was a Greek from Lystra, whose mother was Jewish and father Greek.
- ἀναγγεῖλαι (anaggeilai): "To report" or "to bring tideword." From the verb anaggellō (ἀναγγέλλω), meaning to announce, report, or declare. It implies bringing news and information.
- περὶ (peri): "Concerning" or "about." A preposition, introducing the subject of the report.
- ὑμῶν (humōn): "You" (plural, possessive). Referring to the believers, specifically in Thessalonica and perhaps also Berea, whose conditions they would report on.
- ἐφθάσεν (ephthasen): "Arrived" or "came to." From the verb phthánō (φθάνω), meaning to arrive, come before, or reach. Here, it signifies reaching Paul.
- ἐπὶ (epi): "To" or "upon." A preposition indicating destination or arrival.
- τὸν (ton): "The." The definite article.
- Παῦλον (Paūlon): "Paul." Proper noun, the apostle.
- εἰς (eis): "Into" or "to." A preposition indicating movement toward a place.
- τὴν (tēn): "The." The definite article.
- Ἀθήνας (Athēnas): "Athens." Proper noun, the capital city of Greece, known for its philosophical schools and pagan worship.
Group Analysis:
- "Silas and Timothy" are presented as a unit, reflecting their shared ministry with Paul and their joint mission to report to him.
- "To report concerning you" indicates the purpose of their coming – to update Paul on the well-being and spiritual state of the churches he had left behind.
- "Arrived to Paul in Athens" specifies the culmination of their journey, signifying Paul's isolation being alleviated by the presence of his trusted colleagues.
Acts 17 14 Bonus Section
The instruction for Silas and Timothy to join Paul underscores a key aspect of early church practice: the network of support and communication between apostles and their co-workers. This enabled a coordinated and effective ministry across different regions. The specific nature of the "report concerning you" would have included details on the church's spiritual condition, their endurance through suffering, and any pressing needs or doctrinal issues. This act of coming to Paul demonstrates obedience to apostolic authority and a deep commitment to the furtherance of the Gospel. The successful integration of Silas and Timothy into Paul's ministry in Athens marks a significant shift from his previous solitary experience there.
Acts 17 14 Commentary
This verse details the timely arrival of Silas and Timothy to Paul in Athens. After being compelled to leave Berea because of the persecution incited against him, Paul was separated from his companions, Silas and Timothy. Instructions were given for Silas and Timothy to rejoin Paul as soon as possible, bringing news from the churches in Thessalonica and Philippi. Their journey signifies the vital importance of fellowship and mutual encouragement within the early Christian mission. Their report would have provided Paul with essential information about the churches' steadfastness and challenges, enabling him to better guide and support them through his epistles, such as 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians, written shortly thereafter. Paul's solitary ministry in Athens, described in the preceding verses, highlights the vulnerability and dependence on God's providence that characterized apostolic work.