More Noble (Acts 17:11)

 


Thursday, August 14, 2025


Psalm 108; 109:20-30

2 Samuel 19:8b-23

Acts 17:1-14


Observance: Twentieth century martyrs


More Noble (Acts 17:11)


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.


Today we get a contrast between two different receptions of Paul’s gospel presentation. One happened at Thessalonica, the other at Berea. One was negative, the other positive. Consider the two different ways they are described: those at Thessalonica were jealous, as opposed to the Bereans, who were noble.


I wonder how the word “noble” sounds to our modern, egalitarian ears. I don’t think those at Berea were consider noble because of their family tree; it seems more that they had a noble attitude. Perhaps “noble” as an attitude is something we could get behind; particularly as it is contrasted against an attitude of jealousy, which no-one likes.


The jealous types went and found wicked men, formed a mob, and set the city in an uproar. The noble types, meanwhile, received the word and examined the scriptures to see if the things Paul claimed were so.


There are certainly a lot of different ideas floating around about what the Bible teaches. And it is easy to just assume the Bible says what we would like it to say. When we hear someone claiming the Bible says something we don’t like, are we jealous, and look to forming a mob and causing an uproar? Or do we behave nobly, and study the scriptures to see if it is indeed so? We might come to disagree, but at least that disagreement will be informed by careful study and reflection. And perhaps we might all learn to get along with one another a little better.


Lord of reason and truth, who has revealed all things necessary for our salvation in your inspired word: grant us a noble spirit of receiving and examining, that we may learn for ourselves the truth of who you are.

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