Acts 17 15

Acts 17:15 kjv

And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Acts 17:15 nkjv

So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Acts 17:15 niv

Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

Acts 17:15 esv

Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

Acts 17:15 nlt

Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 15 Meaning

Acts 17:15 details a significant juncture in Paul’s second missionary journey. Having faced intense persecution in Berea, Paul was safely escorted by some local believers to Athens, a renowned intellectual hub. Upon arrival, Paul immediately dispatched his escorts with an urgent message for his co-laborers, Silas and Timothy, to join him in Athens as quickly as possible. This reveals Paul's strategic foresight, his dependence on his missionary team, and the immediate need for companionship and continued gospel work.

Acts 17 15 Context

Acts chapter 17 recounts Paul's journey from Thessalonica to Berea, then to Athens, consistently driven by a mixture of divine leading and severe opposition from resistant Jewish communities. In Thessalonica, Jewish antagonists stirred up mobs against Paul, forcing his discreet departure (Acts 17:5-9). Upon arriving in Berea, the local Jewish community showed a more open-minded and scripture-examining spirit (Acts 17:11). However, the Jewish opponents from Thessalonica followed Paul to Berea, agitating the crowds once more (Acts 17:13). To ensure Paul's safety and the continued spread of the Gospel, the Berean believers facilitated his passage to Athens, demonstrating their love and commitment. Verse 15 marks Paul's solitary arrival in this new, philosophically dense environment and his immediate, urgent summons for his key missionary companions, Silas and Timothy, to join him there, setting the stage for his unique engagement with Athenian intellectuals.

Acts 17 15 Word analysis

• Those who conducted Paul: This refers to believers from Berea, as described in Acts 17:14. It highlights the protective and caring actions of the nascent Christian community towards their apostolic leader, even at risk to themselves. Their escort of Paul demonstrated practical brotherly love and a commitment to Paul's safety and continued ministry.
• conducted (Greek: propempō): To send forward, to escort, to accompany on a journey. It implies care, assistance, and provision for a traveler. This was a common courtesy, here transformed into an act of dedicated support.
• Paul: The Apostle Paul, the central figure in Acts' narrative of Gentile evangelism. His constant movement reflects both the persecution he endured and his unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel across the Roman world.
• brought him as far as Athens: Geographically, a significant journey south from Berea, likely by sea.
  • Athens (Greek: Athēnai): The ancient capital of Attica, renowned for its intellectual heritage, philosophy, arts, and countless idols (Acts 17:16). Paul’s arrival here signals a strategic shift in his ministry context, from Jewish synagogues to pagan philosophical discourse.
• receiving a command: This implies Paul gave the command. He remained the leader and strategist for his missionary team.
  • command (Greek: entolē): An instruction or directive. It signifies Paul’s authority within the apostolic ministry and his careful coordination of team movements.
• for Silas and Timothy: Paul's trusted and invaluable co-laborers. Silas was chosen to accompany Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40), and Timothy, a spiritual son, became one of Paul’s closest and most frequent companions and delegates (1 Thes 3:2; Php 2:19). Their presence was crucial for various aspects of the ministry, from reporting on churches to preaching.
• to come to him with all speed: Paul's urgent summons for his team.
  • with all speed (Greek: hōs tachista): As quickly as possible, immediately. This urgency suggests an acute need: Paul likely desired news from the churches (especially Thessalonica, see 1 Thes 3:6), support in an unfamiliar and intellectually challenging city, and the full complement of his team to strategize and minister effectively. It speaks to his need for partnership in ministry.
• they departed: The Berean escorts returned, their protective mission completed. This highlights the practical and obedient service of these early believers.

Words-group analysis

• Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: This phrase emphasizes the vital role of mutual support and care within the early Christian community, especially towards their leaders. Despite facing immediate dangers and perhaps logistical challenges, these Berean believers went above and beyond to ensure Paul's safety and advance the missionary effort into new territory. Their actions foreshadow the diverse challenges and opportunities Paul would encounter in the highly pagan and intellectual city of Athens.
• receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed: This shows Paul's dynamic leadership and strategic planning. Even isolated in a new city, his primary thought was to re-establish his core team, indicating that gospel proclamation was not a solitary effort but a collaborative mission requiring immediate mobilization of resources and personnel. The urgency underscores the critical nature of their collective work and Paul's desire for timely fellowship and assistance.

Acts 17 15 Bonus section

• The fact that Paul was sent on "as far as the sea" (Acts 17:14) implies the Bereans ensured he had safe passage out of the immediate danger zone and access to transportation to Athens, highlighting thorough support.
• Paul's solitude in Athens, even briefly, before the arrival of Silas and Timothy (Acts 17:16), highlights the profound sense of urgency in his message, possibly due to his own spiritual distress over the city's idolatry and his eagerness to engage its intellectual challenges with his full team.
• This verse showcases a logistical aspect of early missionary journeys, where movement was often unplanned but necessary, relying on the immediate network of believers for aid and communication, preceding sophisticated organizational structures.

Acts 17 15 Commentary

Acts 17:15 encapsulates Paul’s transition from regions where Jewish opposition heavily impacted his movements to the intellectual arena of Athens. Driven from Berea by unrelenting adversaries, Paul's journey to Athens underscores God’s sovereign hand in directing missionary paths, opening doors even through tribulation. The care demonstrated by the Berean believers highlights the profound love and protective instincts within the burgeoning church, ensuring their leader's safety and continued mission. Paul's immediate command for Silas and Timothy to join him with "all speed" reveals his profound reliance on team ministry. This wasn't merely a request for companionship; it signified his strategic foresight and the necessity of coordinated effort in pioneering gospel work. Their presence would be crucial for reports, fellowship, and effective evangelism in Athens and beyond. The verse bridges Paul’s recent past of flight and his immediate future of engaging a radically different audience, demonstrating continuity in his mission through adaptable strategies and essential partnerships.