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Acts 17:1-15
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 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. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 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.
Ti Plant | Tulum, Mexico | February 2024It’s clear that the New Testament world was dominated by men. That’s not to say women didn’t play a part in the mission of God by any means. I’m thinking of notable women like Lydia, Priscilla, and of course Mary, JoAnna, Martha, Mary Magdalen, and others. I suspect Lydia was a source of great financial support for Paul and the church in Philippi. But it is clear that on mission trips it was the men who carried the message and who supported one another in that mission. Paul, Silas and Timothy are examples of that. But so are the “brothers” who sent Paul away while Silas and Timothy stayed behind in Berea – until they were called to join Paul in Athens.
Paul will not go it alone. And, it seems, Paul will not lead or pursue his mission efforts in willful and stubborn commitment to his personal agenda. He calls for Timothy and Silas once he’s in Athens. He apparently needs their support in his efforts there. What’s more, this is in keeping with Jesus’ practice, sending out the 12 and the 72 two-by-two. That even shows up on Palm Sunday when Jesus sends two of his disciples into town to get a donkey for his triumphant procession into Jerusalem. Jesus is all about teamwork. So was Paul. Many of his letters mention others who were with him at their writing. Whether partners in the Gospel or secretaries for his letters, Paul had other men with him in his mission work and even imprisonment.
Today’s world is different to be sure. Women have a more prominent role in the church and in society. Some have taken that so far as to alter the pronouns “they” instead of “he” in Bible translations. Others add the words “and sisters,” to passages – some of which legitimately would refer also to women. In this case it was “brothers” who helped Paul to get out of the city and on to Athens. More important than the fact that it was brothers or men, however, is what it sets up for Paul there in Athens. Silas and Timothy will join him once he gets to Corinth. But he will not stop sharing the message of Jesus – even if he’s on his own in Athens. But in Corinth (spoiler alert!), Paul will join up with Aquila and Priscilla -husband and wife. They will be a band of brothers and sister(s) spreading the word of God.
I once attended a workshop for pastors and church leaders. John Maxwell was the presenter and gave this advice to pastors doing ministry or mission, “Take someone along,” he said. We’re better together – whether that is a band of brothers or the body of Christ, brothers and sisters in Christ who partner with one another for the sake of the Gospel.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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