When the Jews in Thessalonica hear of Paul's evangelistic activity in Berea, they come and employ the same public-disturbance tactics used earlier, with similar results (17:5). They shake up (saleuo, used literally of earthquakes at Acts 4:31; 16:26) and stir up the crowds (15:24; 17:8). Possibly because the Berean Christians realize that the Thessalonian Jews have the ear of provincial authorities, they decide that in their situation "discretion is the better part of valor." Before any arrest and judicial action can be taken they courageously spirit Paul away toward the coast.

This second consecutive withdrawal will prove to be another advance: not only does Paul leave behind a newly planted church to be nurtured by Silas and Timothy, but his escape will take him to Athens, the center of Greco-Roman culture and Greek religion. Paul's progress is like wildfire: try to stamp it out in one place and it crops up in another. David Livingstone's words could well have been his: "I am prepared to go anywhere, so long as it is forward" (Barclay 1976:129).

If Paul and the Bereans engage in a ruse, heading to the coast but then turning south to approach Athens by land, then the Bereans' "accompanying" involves providing protection and care (compare Josh 6:23 LXX; 2 Chron 28:15 LXX).

To be a believer means having not only noble character that commits itself to the message but also a courageous soul that commits itself to the messenger—and to all who are part of the body of Christ (Acts 16:15, 33-34; 17:4, 7). Postmoderns have a hard time with long-term commitment in relationships, as they do with bowing to the authority of a divine message. In both cases Luke's presentation of the Bereans' example gives them hope. By the power of the Spirit anyone can have what it takes to believe (2:42-47; 16:14).