Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 17]
not say. But a church was established here which gave a good
account of itself later and sent a messenger (Ac 20:4) with
their part of the collection to Jerusalem. This quiet and noble
town was in a whirl of excitement over the attacks of the Jewish
emissaries from Thessalonica who probably made the same charge of
treason against Paul and Silas.
17:14 {And then immediately} (\euthe•s de tote\). They acted
swiftly as in Thessalonica. {Sent forth} (\exapesteilan\). Double
compound (\ex, apo\, both out and away) common in late Greek.
First aorist active indicative (\exapostell•\, liquid verb). Same
form in 9:30. {As far as to the sea} (\he•s epi t•n
thalassan\). It is not clear whether Paul went all the way to
Athens by land or took ship at Dium or Pydna, some sixteen miles
away, and sailed to Athens. Some even think that Paul gave the
Jews the slip and went all the way by land when they expected him
to go by sea. At any rate we know that Paul was grieved to cut
short his work in Macedonia, probably not over six months in all,
which had been so fruitful in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Beroea.
Silas and Timothy (note his presence) remained behind in Beroea
and they would keep the work going. Paul no doubt hoped to return
soon. Silas and Timothy in Beroea would also serve to screen his
flight for the Jews wanted his blood, not theirs. The work in
Macedonia spread widely (1Th 1:7f.).
17:15 {But they that conducted Paul} (\hoi de kathistanontes ton
Paulon\). Articular present active participle of \kathistan•\
(late form in A B of \kathist•mi\ or \kathista•\), an old verb
with varied uses to put down, to constitute, to conduct, etc.
This use here is in the LXX (Jos 6:23) and old Greek also. {To
Athens} (\he•s Ath•n•n\). To make sure of his safe arrival. {That
they should come to him with all speed} (\hina h•s tachista
elth•sin pros auton\). Note the neat Greek idiom \h•s tachista\
as quickly as possible (good Attic idiom). The indirect command
and purpose (\hina-elth•sin\, second aorist active subjunctive)
is also neat Greek (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1046). {Departed}
(\ex•iesan\). Imperfect active of \exeimi\, old Greek word, but
rare in N.T. All in Acts (13:42; 17:15; 20:7; 27:43)
17:16 {Now while Paul waited for them in Athens} (\En de tais
Ath•nais ekdechomenou autous tou Paulou\). Genitive absolute with
present middle participle of \ekdechomai\, old verb to receive,
but only with the sense of looking out for, expecting found here
and elsewhere in N.T We know that Timothy did come to Paul in
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