Act 17:11 | RWP | e4.org | More noble than those ( ευγενεστερο των ). Comparative form of ευγενης , old and common adjective, but in N.T. only here and ; . Followed by ablative case των as often after the comparative. With all readiness of mind ( μετα πασης προθυμιας ). Old word from προθυμος ( προ, θυμος ) and means eagerness, rushing forward. In the N.T. only here and ; . In Thessalonica many of the Jews out of pride and prejudice refused to listen. Here the Jews joyfully welcomed the two Jewish visitors. Examining the Scriptures daily ( καθ' ημεραν ανακρινοντες τας γραφας ). Paul expounded the Scriptures daily as in Thessalonica, but the Beroeans, instead of resenting his new interpretation, examined ( ανακρινω means to sift up and down, make careful and exact research as in legal processes as in ; , etc.) the Scriptures for themselves. In Scotland people have the Bible open on the preacher as he expounds the passage, a fine habit worth imitating. Whether these things were so ( ε εχο ταυτα ουτως ). Literally, "if these things had it thus." The present optative in the indirect question represents an original present indicative as in (Robertson, Grammar , pp. 1043f.). This use of ε with the optative may be looked at as the condition of the fourth class (undetermined with less likelihood of determination) as in ; ; ; (Robertson, Grammar , p. 1021). The Beroeans were eagerly interested in the new message of Paul and Silas but they wanted to see it for themselves. What a noble attitude. Paul's preaching made Bible students of them. The duty of private interpretation is thus made plain (Hovey).

‏ Acts 17:11

More noble than those ( ευγενεστερο των ). Comparative form of ευγενης, old and common adjective, but in N.T. only here and Lu 19:12; 1Co 1:26. Followed by ablative case των as often after the comparative.

With all readiness of mind ( μετα πασης προθυμιας ). Old word from προθυμος ( προ, θυμος ) and means eagerness, rushing forward. In the N.T. only here and 2Co 8:11-19; 9:2. In Thessalonica many of the Jews out of pride and prejudice refused to listen. Here the Jews joyfully welcomed the two Jewish visitors.

Examining the Scriptures daily ( καθ' ημεραν ανακρινοντες τας γραφας ). Paul expounded the Scriptures daily as in Thessalonica, but the Beroeans, instead of resenting his new interpretation, examined ( ανακρινω means to sift up and down, make careful and exact research as in legal processes as in Ac 4:9; 12:19, etc.) the Scriptures for themselves. In Scotland people have the Bible open on the preacher as he expounds the passage, a fine habit worth imitating.

Whether these things were so ( ε εχο ταυτα ουτως ). Literally, "if these things had it thus." The present optative in the indirect question represents an original present indicative as in Lu 1:29 (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1043f.). This use of ε with the optative may be looked at as the condition of the fourth class (undetermined with less likelihood of determination) as in Ac 17:27; 20:16; 24:19; 27:12 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1021). The Beroeans were eagerly interested in the new message of Paul and Silas but they wanted to see it for themselves. What a noble attitude. Paul's preaching made Bible students of them. The duty of private interpretation is thus made plain (Hovey).