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Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the King James Version ( KJV ). Acts 17:1-9 read as follows:
"Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go."
The Greek word ( Greek [ 2350 ] ) for the word "uproar," in verse five ( above ), is defined as follows:
"to be in tumult, i.e. disturb, clamor." [ See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 47. ). ]
Moreover, the word "tumult," in the above-given definition, is defined as follows:
". . . n. 1 The commotion, disturbance, or agitation of a multitude; an uproar; turbulence; hubbub. 2 Any violent commotion or agitation, as of the mind. . . . Synonyms: agitation, bluster, bustle, commotion, confusion, disorder, disturbance, ferment, flurry, hubbub, hurly-burly, noise, outbreak, racket, riot, turbulence, turmoil, uproar. See NOISE, QUARREL1 [ Homograph #1 ], REVOLUTION. . . ." [ See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS, PMC Publishing Company, Inc., 118 EAST 28th STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10016, dictionary portion: pages 1-1150, Copyright 1992, by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, p. 1040. ]
By virtue of the synonyms for the word "tumult," as provided in this word's definition, the word "uproar" ( mentioned above ) implies the concept of a riot. Notice that Paul did not start this riot: the unbelieving Jews did ( as we read in verse five, above ).
Furthermore, "certain brethren" were drawn ( dragged - RSV, for example ) "unto the rulers of the city" ( see verse six, above ). Thus, these brethren were not willing participants in this riot. The apostle Paul ( see 1 Timothy 1:1 ) recorded the following in 1 Timothy 2:1, 2: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." As Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), we will not participate in riots, for example: we will lead quiet and peaceable lives based on godliness and honesty ( reverence - see 1 Timothy 2:2; KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example, to get the equivalent translations for the words "honesty" and "reverence" ). Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>
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