Acts 17:11

"Now these were more noble-minded" The word noble often means "well born" or "of noble birth". But here the word applies to. noble attitude. Unlike the Jews in Thessalonica who were only willing to listen to three sermons, the Jews in Berea were far more receptive to the gospel message. "For" This is why God calls them noble-minded. "They received the word with great eagerness" They were very eager to listen and learn. Notice that such people are not saved, yet neither are they depraved. How we approach the initial study of the Bible is important. Are we eager to learn or are we hesitant? Observe that the receptiveness and honesty of people can vary from town to town. "Examining" Instead of attacking the preacher, they examined carefully with critical thinking and the Old Testament Scriptures what he was presenting. "They combined receptivity with critical questioning" (Stott p. 274). The word translated examine here is used of judicial investigations. "It implies integrity and absence of bias. Ever since then, the adjective 'Berean' has been applied to people who study the Scriptures with impartiality and care" (p. 274). "The Scriptures" Truth has nothing to fear when the Bible is opened. Such Scriptures could be examined daily in the synagogue, or Paul may have had with him. copy of various Old Testament books as well. "Daily" When salvation is on the line one cannot spend too much time in study, there is an urgency to resolve this issue. "To see whether these things were so" They were not gullible but neither did they have. closed mind. Their primary concern was "what do the Scriptures teach?" The gospel will always have good success when people have the same attitude.