Reasoning and Explaining
Acts 17 includes a brief account of Paul’s preaching in the Jewish synagogue at Thessalonica. The text tells us that he “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead.” The result: “Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women” (Acts 17:2-4).
Take a moment to notice the verbs that are used here:
- “Reasoned” means to engage in discourse or discussion.
- “Explaining” means to open the mind, to cause to understand.
- “Giving evidence” (lit. “to set before”) denotes teaching, explaining, demonstrating, showing.
- “Persuaded” means to convince (or, as used here in the passive voice, to be convinced).
The same or similar words are used to describe Paul’s preaching and teaching in Athens (17:17), Corinth (18:4), Ephesus (19:8-9), Caesarea (24:25), and Rome (28:23-24).
These examples show that Paul always sought to present a rational case for faith in Jesus as the Christ. He didn’t simply tell people to believe without offering them solid reasons for doing so. He didn’t rely on emotional manipulation, flashy rhetoric, or superstitious blather. Whether he was talking to fellow Jews or pagans, whether to govern-ment officials, philosophers, or everyday people, Paul’s aim was to teach and persuade.
In all our efforts to win others to Christ, let’s make it our aim, too.
“Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11).
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