Acts 17

“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the…” Naming Amphipolis and Apollonia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the…” Naming Greeks and Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered…” Naming Jason and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that…” Naming Jason keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, people, rulers. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.” Naming Jason keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue…” Naming Berea and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and…” Naming Thessalonica keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither…” Naming Berea keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there…” Naming Paul and Silas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come…” Naming Athens and Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to…” Naming Athens and Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear…” Naming Athenians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too…” Naming Athens and Mars keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples…” The verse names God and Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and…” Naming Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or…” Naming Forasmuch keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this…” The line’s distinctive content terms include dead, hear, matter. Its relationship to verses 31 and 33 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So Paul departed from among them.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named…” Naming Areopagite and Damaris keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.