Reading for August 6th

 Read Acts 17.1-15. In 17.1-15: Conflicts in Thessalonica and Beroea. In verse 1-2: As was his custom like Jesus (Lk 4.16), Paul's mission again begins with the Jews in a synagogue, on a sabbath (16.13; 17.17). In verse 3: The scriptural interpretations again focus on the necessity of the suffering of the messiah and that Jesus is the messiah (2.32-36; 3.18-20; 4.26-27). In verse 5: jealousy was also identified as the motive for earlier efforts by Jews to stir up opposition to the apostles (5.17; 13.45), which is probably an echo of Deut 32.21 where God makes Israel jealous (see Rom 10.19). Jason's house is identified as a house of prayer or a "house church" (Lydia in 16.15). In verse 6: Turning the world upside down meant rebellion against Roman order (11.28; 21.38; 24.5). In verse 7: Calling Jesus "the messiah" sounded like he was being acclaimed a king, which either meant a pretender to the rule or the emperor or at least the crowning of a ruler without Roman authorization, grounds enough for an execution (Lk 23.2-3, 35-37). In verse 9: Unlike in Philippi, the officials use the legal means of bail, and Paul and Silas depart without c confrontation (16.36-39). In verse 10: Beroea is about 60 miles south of Thessalonica. In verse 11-12: their scripture study  everyday is commended as a quest for the truth in contrast to the rabble in Thessalonica. The Greek women and men appear to be in the synagogue too. Comments or Question..