Luke the beloved physician shared how, “the brethren” in Berea “sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. 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. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry”, and in chapter seventeen and verse seventeen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul, “Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, ...” where we read:
Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons,
and in the market daily with them that met with him.
The verse begins, “Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, ...” Luke began with the words, “therefore disputed he” which means “then, wherefore, consequently and these things being so Paul resolved, pondered, conversed and held discourses to argue and discuss” “in the synagogue” or “within the sacred place where an assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures” “with the Jews” which means “alongside the Jewish people by origin, birth or religion”, “and with the devout persons” or “and alongside the religious, revered and adored people both male and female”. Luke shared how “Paul” began to “hold discourses and discussions” with the Jewish people who were religious and adored and gathered in the “synagogue” located in “Athens”.
The verse continues, “... and in the market daily with them that met with him.” Luke added the words, “and in the market daily with them” or “and within the “agora” or public place of debating, elections, trials and buying and selling every day” “that met with him” which means “who happened and by chance fell in alongside Paul”. Luke shared how “Paul” also joined himself to the people who were in the “marketplace”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” was motivated and driven to share the “gospel of Jesus Christ” with anyone who would listen to him. Whether they were a part of the “synagogue” or the “marketplace”, “Paul” wanted people to know God loves them, and He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for their sins. He raised Him from the dead three days later, so He could offer them everlasting life in Heaven. “Paul” knew and believed this message personally, and He desired the Jews, devout persons, people in the marketplace and everyone else to know and believe it as well.
Next time Luke shares how, “certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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