So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. Acts 17:15

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Paul was just conducted out of Berea either to the sea and then to Athens, or pretending to go to the sea and then to Athens by land. Either way, it now says, “So those who conducted Paul.”

Rather, the verb is a present participle, “So those conducting Paul.” Luke writes as if they are in the process of traveling to the next city. As for the word translated as “conducting,” it signifies to set in order or to appoint. It is as if they were given charge over Paul, seeing to his every need, including what it next says. They “brought him to Athens.”

Athens is considered the intellectual capital of Greece. The word is the plural of Athéné, or Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom – who was reputed to have founded the city. Once Paul and those with him had arrived in Athens, it next says, “and receiving a command.”

Rather, it should be translated, “and having received a command.” Once they had arrived in Athens, they were then given new instructions which were “for Silas and Timothy to come to him.” With Paul safely in Athens, he wanted to set about evangelizing the city. At the same time, he probably wanted these two out of Berea for the time being as well.

This would allow things to settle down. Therefore, he sent back word with those who had conducted him for Silas and Timothy to now come to Athens as well. And more, he asked that it be done “with all speed.”

One can see the eagerness of Paul in these words. If he truly was in need of care, this would be one reason for their coming quickly to him. But even if it was merely his desire to have a team to evangelize, it is evident that he wanted it to come about quickly. With this note from him, his conductors who are now his messengers “departed.”

Life application: Who these men were who conducted Paul is left unstated in the narrative. However, we will have eternity to get to know them. All the redeemed of the Lord throughout all the ages will be joined together in the presence of God. We will know them in a way that we cannot even imagine now.

There will be time to learn about them and their lives and to share in the details of the things we did as well. When we are asked about our own lives by such people, will we be able to say, “I also helped conduct the message of the Bible along to others”?

We have this one life to live before we come before the Lord. May we not come before Him with empty hands. Instead, may our lives be presented to Him as faithful offerings of having told others about Jesus, having helped with missionary causes, having praised him with our lips and our actions, etc.

The Lord set us here for a reason, let us become useful vessels for His use while we remain.

Lord God, help us to use our time wisely. May our lives be spent in worthy pursuits, and may our actions be glorifying of You at all times. We shall stand before You someday. And so, may it not be with regret. Prompt us in our hearts and in our souls to be faithful servants while we have the time to do so. Amen.