We have here a further account of the travels of Paul, and his services and sufferings for Christ. He was not like a candle upon a table, that gives light only to one room, but like the sun that goes its circuit to give light to many. He was called into Macedonia, a large kingdom, ch. xvi. 9. He began with Philippi, because it was the first city he came to; but he must not confine himself to this. We have him here, I. Preaching and persecuted at Thessalonica, another city of Macedonia, ver. 1-9. II. Preaching at Berea, where he met with an encouraging auditory, but was driven thence also by persecution, ver. 10-15. III. Disputing at Athens, the famous university of Greece (ver. 16-21), and the account he gave of natural religion, for the conviction of those that were addicted to polytheism and idolatry, and to lead them to the Christian religion (ver. 22-31), together with the success of this sermon, ver. 32-34.
Paul and Silas at Thessalonica.