The Gospel and the Classes
W. Arnot, D. D. Acts 17:12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. 1. They "believed" — a little word, but a great thing — the step by which they passed from condemnation to peace; from the house on the sand before it fell, to the rock. The moment before they were without Christ and hope; the moment after they were in Christ, and heirs of eternal life. How could interests so vast turn on a point so small? All decisive turnings are made on points. The poles are mathematical points, yet how huge the mass that spins round them! 2. "Many believed." A swelling of spiritual life sometimes comes over a city or country, as the tidal wave over the ocean — lifted and led in both cases by a power in the heavens. The symptoms which portended this revival were a bent of mind towards the Word, and a daily searching of it. When we see the same symptoms we may expect the same enlargement. 3. Note the classes who were won to the Lord. I. GREEKS. There is no respect of persons with God: "neither Jew nor Greek." Yet the conversion of a Greek may give an apostle greater reason for joy, inasmuch as while of no more value intrinsically than a Jew, a Greek could open a door into a wider field. Those successes were sweetest which were promises of more. II. MEN AND WOMEN. God made both in marvellous wisdom for each other; together they have gone from Him; it is a glad sight when they return in company. How sad when the sexes are divided by that partition which divides the Church from the world! As there is neither Jew nor Greek, so there is neither male nor female in the kingdom of Christ. Sometimes the husband or brother believes, while wife or sister smothers the spiritual life by the cares of this world. Sometimes the women of the family are devoted to Christ, while the men are too philosophic or self-indulgent. Husbands and wives, etc., be heirs together of the grace of life. III. PEOPLE OF HIGH STANDING. Are the upper ten, then, more precious? No. But there are times and circumstances in which their conversion is more noteworthy. 1. If for nothing else, the early disciples valued it as men value certain gems, on account of its rarity. The common people heard the Master gladly, but the rulers held aloof. On that account Jesus looked fondly on the rich young man who came to Him. 2. Their influence is greater. 3. Great temptations bind them. IV. NOT A FEW. There is a strange appetite in the Christian's heart; it continually cries, Give an appetite inherited from Christ. When many came He invited the rest as eagerly. (W. Arnot, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. WEB: Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men.