“And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 17:4 Mean?
"Of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." Luke records the composition of the Thessalonian church: some Jews believed, a great multitude of God-fearing Greeks, and a significant number of prominent women. The phrase "chief women not a few" identifies women of high social standing as early converts — and Luke considers their presence worth recording.
The mention of "chief women" (gynaikon ton proton) describes women of social prominence — the leading women of the city. These aren't marginalized or desperate people looking for any community that will accept them. These are respected, influential women who chose Christianity based on conviction, not desperation.
The pattern repeats across Acts: prominent women are frequently noted among converts (13:50, 16:14, 17:12). The early church attracted women of influence and means. The gospel's appeal to women — particularly those with social standing to lose by converting — suggests the message resonated with something that Greco-Roman religion and culture didn't address.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What about the gospel specifically appeals to women seeking spiritual agency?
- 2.Why does Luke repeatedly note prominent women among early converts?
- 3.What did Christianity offer women that Greco-Roman religion didn't?
- 4.How does your community honor the 'chief women' — the influential women who shape your church?
Devotional
Chief women. Not a few. Prominent, respected, socially powerful women were among the first converts in Thessalonica. Luke records their presence because their presence matters.
The early church's appeal to prominent women is one of the most underexplored features of Acts. In city after city, Luke notes that leading women join the movement. Not desperate women looking for belonging. Not marginal women with nothing to lose. Chief women — the kind with social capital, influence, and everything to lose by associating with a controversial Jewish sect.
Why did Christianity attract prominent women? Several factors converge: the gospel's radical inclusion (Galatians 3:28 — neither male nor female), the early church's practice of women participating fully (Priscilla, Phoebe, Junia), and the contrast with Greco-Roman religion, which offered women limited spiritual agency. The gospel treated women as full persons with full spiritual capacity. For prominent women accustomed to being valued only for social function, this was revolutionary.
Luke's phrase "not a few" is a litotes — a deliberate understatement. Not a few means quite a lot. The number of prominent women was significant enough to mention and significant enough to understate. The women's presence shaped the church.
The gospel has always appealed to women who are looking for a faith that sees them fully. Not as accessories. Not as afterthoughts. As full participants in the kingdom of God. The chief women heard something in Paul's preaching that recognized their complete humanity.
What about the gospel speaks to women that other systems don't?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And some of them believed,.... That is, some of the Jews, power went along with the word, and faith came by it, and they…
And consorted - Literally, had their lot with Paul and Silas; that is, they united themselves to them, and became their…
The devout Greeks - That is, Gentiles who were proselytes to the Jewish religion, so far as to renounce idolatry, and…
Paul's two epistles to the Thessalonians, the first two he wrote by inspiration, give such a shining character of that…
And some of them believed( were persuaded)] For St Paul's teaching was by arguments of which they all were able to form…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture