Lexical Summary Beroia: Berea Original Word: Βέροια Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Berea. Perhaps a provincial from a derivative of peran (Peroea, i.e. The region beyond the coast-line); Beroea, a place in Macedonia -- Berea. see GREEK peran NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Berea, a city of Macedonia NASB Translation Berea (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 960: ΒέροιαΒέροια, Βεροιας, ἡ (also Βερροια (i. e. well-watered)), Beraea, a city of Macedonia, near Pella, at the foot of Mount Bermius: Acts 17:10, 13. Topical Lexicon Geographical and Historical Setting Berea was an inland Macedonian city lying on the eastern slopes of Mount Bermius, roughly forty-five miles southwest of Thessalonica and positioned a few miles off the Via Egnatia, the great Roman highway that linked the Adriatic to Byzantium. Its fertile plain, abundant water supply, and strategic location fostered a thriving Jewish community and a cosmopolitan Gentile population by the first century. Greek and Roman writers praised its agricultural richness; later Byzantine sources record that Berea became one of the first cities in Macedonia to receive a Christian bishop. Appearance in the New Testament Narrative Acts 17:10-15 records Paul’s brief yet consequential visit during the second missionary journey. Forced from Thessalonica by hostile Jews, Paul and Silas arrived in Berea by night. The local synagogue offered an immediate platform for gospel proclamation. Luke’s summation—“Now the Berean Jews were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true” (Acts 17:11)—presents Berea as a model community for receptivity and discernment. Many Jews believed, along with “a large number of prominent Greek women and men” (Acts 17:12). Opposition followed when agitators from Thessalonica stirred unrest, prompting Paul’s escort to the coast and ultimately to Athens, while Silas and Timothy remained a little longer to strengthen the fledgling church (Acts 17:14-15). The Noble Mindset of the Bereans Luke’s description of Bereans as “noble-minded” (εὐγενής) highlights three characteristics: 1. Receptivity—They “received the message with great eagerness.” Ears and hearts were open to apostolic teaching. Because of these traits, Berea has become synonymous in Christian parlance with diligent Bible study and doctrinal integrity. Impact on Paul’s Wider Mission Paul’s experience in Berea shaped subsequent strategy: Later Christian Testimony and Archaeological Notes Second-century writers speak of a bishopric in Berea, and local tradition holds that Onesimus—possibly the same Onesimus mentioned in Philemon—served there. Byzantine mosaics and early basilica foundations attest to a flourishing Christian presence. Modern Veria (the contemporary name) preserves a memorial at the reputed “Bema of Paul,” where annual celebrations recount Acts 17. Theological and Ministry Lessons 1. Scripture as Final Authority—The Berean practice commends unceasing comparison of all teaching with the written Word (Isaiah 8:20; 1 John 4:1). Key References Acts 17:10-15; Isaiah 8:20; 1 John 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:12. Forms and Transliterations Βεροια Βεροίᾳ Βεροιαν Βέροιαν Beroia Beroíāi Beroian BéroianLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 17:10 N-AFSGRK: Σίλαν εἰς Βέροιαν οἵτινες παραγενόμενοι NAS: by night to Berea, and when they arrived, KJV: night unto Berea: who coming INT: Silas to Berea who having arrived Acts 17:13 N-DFS Strong's Greek 960 |
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