Acts 17 4

Acts 17:4 kjv

And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Acts 17:4 nkjv

And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.

Acts 17:4 niv

Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

Acts 17:4 esv

And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

Acts 17:4 nlt

Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 4 Meaning

Acts 17:4 details the initial success of Paul and Silas's preaching in the synagogue of Thessalonica. It shows a tripartite conversion: some Jews were convinced, a significant number of devout God-fearers (Gentiles who worshiped Israel's God) were persuaded, and a notable number of socially prominent women joined the new community of believers. The verse highlights the Spirit's power in persuasion, the accessibility of the gospel across ethnic and social lines, and the establishment of a diverse Christian assembly.

Acts 17 4 Context

Acts 17:4 takes place during Paul's Second Missionary Journey, specifically in the bustling Roman colony of Thessalonica. According to Paul's custom (Acts 17:2), he first visited the synagogue, reasoning with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles from the Scriptures for three Sabbath days. He explained how Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, identifying Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 17:3). This verse is the direct result of that preaching, illustrating the initial positive reception before opposition arises (Acts 17:5). Historically, "God-fearers" (sebomenoi) were an important group; these Gentiles attended synagogues, adopted some Jewish practices (like monotheism and ethical standards), but typically refrained from full conversion (e.g., circumcision for men, dietary laws), finding a spiritual home in Judaism without fully joining. Prominent women in Greco-Roman society often held significant social, economic, or religious influence, and their conversion brought considerable leverage and sometimes persecution.

Acts 17 4 Word analysis

• And some of them (Kai tines ex autōn): Connects this verse to the preceding narrative (Acts 17:2-3), indicating a portion of the Jewish audience, rather than all of them, responded positively. "Them" refers to the Jews whom Paul had addressed in the synagogue.
• were persuaded (epeisthēsan, ἐπείσθησαν): This is an aorist passive indicative form of peithō, meaning "to convince," "to persuade." The passive voice strongly implies that divine agency was at work in their hearts; they did not merely decide, but were convinced by God's Spirit through Paul's words (cf. Jn 6:44). It signifies an inner conviction, a change of mind and belief.
• and joined (kai proseklerōthēsan, καὶ προσεκληρώθησαν): From proskleroō, meaning "to allot oneself to," "to be joined to by lot," or "to choose to attach oneself." This verb suggests a strong commitment, an intentional aligning or identifying with Paul, Silas, and by extension, the new Christian movement. It's more than casual association; it implies a definitive decision to be counted among them.
• Paul and Silas: The apostles ministering in Thessalonica, demonstrating the personal alignment with the messengers of the Gospel.
• as did a great many of the devout Greeks: This phrase refers to a substantial number of Gentiles. "Devout Greeks" (tōn sebomenōn Hellēnōn, τῶν σεβομένων Ἑλλήνων) are "God-fearers," a specific category of Gentiles who worshipped the God of Israel, participated in synagogue life, but were not full proselytes to Judaism. They found Judaism's monotheism and ethics appealing. They were a ripe mission field for early Christianity as they already had a foundation in Old Testament understanding and a hunger for God, often bypassing the ethnic boundaries for Paul (cf. Acts 13:16).
• and not a few (ouk oligai, οὐκ ὀλίγαι): A rhetorical device called litotes, using a double negative ("not a few") to strongly emphasize the affirmative, meaning "a great many" or "a significant number." It highlights the substantial number of prominent women who believed.
• of the leading women (tōn prōtōn gynaikōn, τῶν πρώτων γυναικῶν): Refers to women of high social standing, influence, or wealth in the community. Their conversion was significant as it brought both social credibility and potential resources to the burgeoning church, but also often drew more immediate attention and opposition from those threatened by the new movement. Their active role indicates the counter-cultural inclusiveness of the Gospel in that society.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas: This highlights the partial success among the Jewish community in Thessalonica, indicating that while not all responded, there was a significant positive impact within their traditional sphere. It also points to the direct alignment with the apostolic leadership.
• a great many of the devout Greeks: This demonstrates the significant harvest among the God-fearers. These individuals were already monotheistic, familiar with the Old Testament, and seeking spiritual truth, making them highly receptive to the message of Christ as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. This group represented a vital bridge between Jewish tradition and the wider Gentile world for Christian expansion.
• and not a few of the leading women: This segment is crucial as it emphasizes the social reach and inclusiveness of the gospel. The conversion of prominent women brought influence and demonstrated Christianity's appeal across all social strata, even in a society where women might be less outwardly visible in leadership roles. Their adherence often signaled a deeper cultural penetration than just male converts.

Acts 17 4 Bonus section

The specific Greek word proseklerōthēsan (to be joined by lot/allotted to) implies a sense of divinely guided affiliation, more profound than merely 'joining a club.' It can carry the connotation of being assigned or chosen, suggesting a providential alignment rather than just a casual association. This reinforces the idea that their conversion was part of God's larger plan and not merely a human decision.

Luke's consistent reporting of conversions across social strata and particularly highlighting women (e.g., Lydia in Acts 16, Priscilla in Acts 18) challenges contemporary societal norms. This suggests that the early Christian movement offered an unparalleled sense of belonging and value to women, including those of influence, who might have found limited roles in traditional religious or social structures. Their responsiveness indicates a perceived spiritual and social elevation within the Christian community that was attractive to those seeking meaning beyond conventional societal confines.

Acts 17 4 Commentary

Acts 17:4 serves as a succinct testimony to the efficacy of Paul's gospel presentation in Thessalonica and the diverse appeal of Christianity. The immediate yield among "some Jews" showcases Paul's customary approach to share Christ first with his own people, presenting Jesus as the Jewish Messiah who fulfills their Scriptures. Crucially, the verse reveals a particularly fruitful harvest among "devout Greeks," who, as God-fearers, were spiritually primed for the gospel. They understood monotheism and ethical principles, and only needed the "who" – Jesus as Messiah – to complete their faith, often without the full demands of Jewish proselytization. This group formed a strategic core for Gentile missions. The mention of "not a few of the leading women" is highly significant; in the Greco-Roman world, women of means and influence provided vital social leverage, meeting places, and financial support, making their conversion a powerful affirmation and catalyst for the nascent church. The repeated "persuaded" (epeisthēsan) emphasizes that this was not merely intellectual assent but a profound, Spirit-empowered conviction. The term "joined" (proseklerōthēsan) indicates a decisive commitment and active allegiance, signaling the formation of a new community rooted in faith. This verse, therefore, captures the gospel's ability to transcend ethnic, religious, and social boundaries, laying the groundwork for a robust and diverse Christian presence in Thessalonica.