Actually, the text says that the Berean (Jews) were more noble because they readily received the Word and searched the scriptures daily.
Brother, then can't we presume that the Thessalonicans ALSO searched the Scriptures? We can presume that they did, correct? Consider that Paul first went to the synagogue in every case when he evangelized.
Thus, we can presume that it wasn't the Scripture that determined whether the Word was accepted, as BOTH the Thessalonicans AND the Bereans would have likely searched the Scriptures, trying to determine the validity of Paul's Gospel, that was scandalous to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks.
The point is that is wasn't the mere searching that made them noble! It was their acceptance of the Word. Is that agreeable? This is why I believe this verse is overused and doesn't prove in any way Sola Scriptura.
Regards
From my reading of the surrounding test, ... it seems that the Thessalonican Jews were not so interested in searching the scriptures ... as they were in strring up a ruckus because of Paul ...Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.It appears to me that the difference between the (majority of) the Berean Jews ... and the (majority of ) the Thessalonicans Jews ... is that the Bereans were willing to consult the scriptures ... before rashly rejecting Paul and his teachings.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Recall that Jesus counseled another group to search the scriptures (for evidence of Him) ... but that they, too, were more interested in condemning Him.
That is true. But I think in each case, men are blinded by their own opinions of interpreting the Scriptures, don't you agree? People often see things through a very limited point of view and will not accept anything that is "outside the box". Thus, the "scandal to the Jews". Many could not see that the Christ had to suffer. They saw Deuteronomy's point that "those who hang from a tree are cursed". The Scriptures, then, could be used to argue EITHER point of view - that Jesus was the Christ, or Jesus was NOT the Christ. It is only the belief in the witnesses and their explanations, coupled with the Holy Spirit's imbuing one with faith, that will bring one to believe in the Word of God, Jesus the Christ.
The Jews at Thessalonika certainly "knew" the Scriptures that they were going to use as proof-texts against Paul. Thus, they "searched" the Scriptures through their own paradigms and ideas of what the Christ would be - a glorious savior. Jesus didn't fit that description, thus, they and the Pharisees were blinded. It wasn't the Scriptures that blinded them, nor was it the Scriptures that opened the eyes of the Bereans. It was God, working with a responsive man, that enabled the faith to enter into the Bereans, but not the Thessalonicans.
Recall Luke 24 and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus? It was only AFTER Christ had opened their eyes to the Word in Scripture and how it applied to Jesus were they able to see all that we now take for granted. Correct?
Thus, the Scriptures were NOT what opened the minds of the Bereans or closed the minds of the Thessalonicans - and why I disagree with some Protestants' use of it in such a way.
Brother in Christ