Podcast Summary: Back to the Bible Podcast

Host: Larsen Plyler
Episode: 113 – Acts 16:25–17:21
Date: July 6, 2025

Overview

In this episode, host Larsen Plyler continues a verse-by-verse Bible study of Acts 16:25 through 17:21, focusing on the ministry of Paul and Silas in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. The episode emphasizes perseverance in hardship, the universal message of salvation, and the importance of scriptural integrity. Lund Plyler provides in-depth commentary on the founding of the Philippian church, the conversion of the Philippian jailer, and Paul’s engagement with different communities, culminating with Paul’s arrival in Athens.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Paul and Silas in Philippi: Persevering in Suffering

Timestamps: 02:45–12:30

• Background: Paul and Silas were beaten, imprisoned, and placed in stocks after casting a spirit out of a fortune-telling slave girl, upsetting her owners (03:53).
• Despite suffering, Paul and Silas were found "praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:25).
• Insight: Suffering did not distract Paul and Silas from worshipping God; their steadfastness is highlighted as exemplary faith.
  • Quote: "It does not take very much pain or suffering or inconvenience to make me very sour. But even in this great suffering, Paul and Silas were not broken. They were not sour. They were not distracted by the suffering to keep from focusing on what was important." (06:34)
• Application: Larsen observes how, unlike Paul and Silas, many believers struggle to maintain praise and focus on God amid hardship.

2. The Philippian Jailer’s Conversion

Timestamps: 08:40–18:31

• Earthquake and Opportunity: A miraculous earthquake opens the prison doors and loosens chains, prompting the jailer to consider suicide out of fear for his life and livelihood (08:57).
• Paul intervenes, assuring the jailer all prisoners remained (09:18).
  • Quote: “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” (09:18)
• The Core Question: The jailer asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (10:15). Larsen emphasizes the universality and timelessness of this question.
  • Quote: “What must we do to be saved? That is the great question of our lives.” (10:45)
• Faith and Baptism: Paul instructs belief in Jesus, then teaches the jailer and his household. Their immediate response includes repentance, care for Paul and Silas, and baptism (11:18).
  • Quote: “It was that whole response that showed that the jailer believed – that is, had given his allegiance to God.” (13:43)
• Significance: The jailer is presented as the likely first pure Gentile convert in Philippi without prior synagogue affiliation (14:05).

3. Roman Citizenship and Justice

Timestamps: 18:34–20:55

• At dawn, Philippian magistrates seek to discreetly release Paul and Silas.
• Paul insists on public acknowledgment of their Roman citizenship to secure both justice and the church’s legitimacy.
  • Quote: “But Paul said to them, having beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, they have thrown us into prison and now they are sending us away secretly. No, indeed, let them come themselves and bring us out.” (19:27)
• Magistrates apologize and request they quietly leave town—Paul and Silas instead encourage Lydia and other disciples before departing (20:38).

4. Founding of the Philippian Church

Timestamps: 20:55–22:10

• The congregation in Philippi begins with Lydia’s household and the jailer’s family.
• Larsen underscores the deep relationship Paul later expresses in the letter to the Philippians, rooted in these early conversions.

5. Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

Timestamps: 22:14–24:38

• Paul follows customary evangelism by first reasoning with Jews in the synagogue over three Sabbaths.
• Main message: “The Old Testament scriptures were pointing to the death and resurrection of the Messiah.” (23:10)
• Some Jews and many God-fearing Greeks are persuaded. Leading women also become followers.
• Opposition: Jealous Jews incite uproar, accusing Christians of preaching “another King, Jesus,” upsetting the social and political order.
  • Quote: "These men who have upset the world have come here also... saying that there is another King, Jesus." (24:17)
• Larsen notes the irony that the real message does not support social anarchy but proclaims a superior, spiritual kingship of Christ (24:56).

6. Bereans: The Model of Noble-Minded Faith

Timestamps: 24:40–26:47

• Paul and Silas are sent to Berea; there, the Bereans are “more noble-minded,” receiving the word eagerly and confirming teachings against the Scriptures.
  • Quote: “They received the word eagerly and they were looking at the Scriptures to see if Paul and Silas were right.” (25:32)
• Many believe, including prominent Greek women and men.
• Opposition follows again from Thessalonica; Paul is sent to Athens while Silas and Timothy remain behind.

7. Paul in Athens: Confronting Idolatry and Curiosity

Timestamps: 26:55–29:30

• Paul is provoked by the rampant idolatry in Athens, leading him to reason in the synagogue and marketplace daily.
• Encounters with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers; some dismiss him as a “babbler,” others express curiosity about his “strange deities” because he preached “Jesus and the resurrection.”
  • Quote: “What does this babbler wish to say? ... They just liked hearing new things.” (28:37)
• Athenians invite Paul to the Areopagus to hear more—an opportunity for significant discourse (previewed for the next episode).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|--------|--------| | 06:34 | "But even in this great suffering, Paul and Silas were not broken. They were not sour. They were not distracted by the suffering to keep from focusing on what was important." | Larsen Plyler | | 10:45 | “What must we do to be saved? That is the great question of our lives.” | Larsen Plyler | | 11:18 | “He is calling him to loyalty to a new master." | Larsen Plyler on Paul’s instructions to the jailer | | 13:43 | “It was that whole response that showed that the jailer believed—that is, had given his allegiance to God.” | Larsen Plyler | | 19:27 | "No, indeed, let them come themselves and bring us out." | Paul via Larsen Plyler | | 24:17 | "These men who have upset the world have come here also...saying that there is another King, Jesus." | Jews in Thessalonica (quoted by Larsen Plyler) | | 25:32 | "They received the word eagerly and they were looking at the Scriptures to see if Paul and Silas were right." | Larsen Plyler | | 28:37 | “What does this babbler wish to say? ... They just liked hearing new things.” | Larsen Plyler paraphrasing Athenians/Luke |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Paul and Silas Suffer for Faith, Yet Worship (Acts 16:25): 02:45–08:39
• Philippian Jailer Conversion: 08:40–18:31
• Public Vindication as Roman Citizens: 18:34–20:55
• The Start of the Philippian Church: 20:55–22:10
• Thessalonica – Scriptural Reasoning and Riot: 22:14–24:38
• Berea – Scriptural Integrity and Open-mindedness: 24:40–26:47
• Paul in Athens – Confrontation with Idolatry: 26:55–29:30

Tone and Teaching Style

Larsen Plyler maintains a gentle, thoughtful, and expository tone, often sharing personal reflections (“It does not take very much pain or suffering or inconvenience to make me very sour”) and aiming for practical application and encouragement (“I hope that it is helpful and that we are able to be clear in our teaching”).

Conclusion & Next Episode Preview

Plyler concludes by highlighting the growing church in Philippi and the nobility of Berean faith. He previews the next episode’s focus: Paul’s sermoning at the Areopagus in Athens—a compelling passage on God’s purposes and a warning about judgment.
“Next time when we look at the book of Acts, I want to consider Paul’s sermon in Acts 17. It is a powerful description of God’s purposes in the world and a warning about coming judgment.” (29:15)

For listeners seeking a close, text-driven, and pastorally applied study of Acts 16:25–17:21, this episode offers both detailed exposition and challenging examples of faithfulness and scriptural integrity.