Acts 17:12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. Women are first named, implying that they were first to believe. This is still no common occurrence. I. WOMEN RECEIVE THE GOSPEL MORE READILY THAN DO MEN. Lydia's case is repeated in all quarters of Christendom. The sisters of Bethany, the women who ministered unto Christ, prophesy the faith of their sex. II. Upon the basis of this fact it is not flattery to say that WOMEN ARE MORE NOBLE THAN MEN. There are qualities belonging to their sex fitting women above men to appreciate the gospel. Though first in the fall, also first in relations, qualifications, and promise to bring deliverance. III. WOMEN HAVE SPECIAL REASONS FOR BECOMING CHRISTIANS. Their aptness to receive it is evidence of their need of it — 1. To satisfy their finer, quicker sense of right, truth, beauty. 2. To fulfil their mission in life not by power, but by influence. Their want of Christian character is a want of qualification for their life work. IV. WOMAN'S OBLIGATION TO CHRISTIANITY. Outside of the religion of revelation they were burdened and enslaved. Their elevation they owe to Christianity. (S. Mease, 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. |
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