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.



Ver. 11. Thee were more noble] Better gentlemen ( åõãåíåóôåñïé ). Virtue is instead of a thousand escutcheons. {a} "Since thou hast been precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable," Isa_43:4. The nobles of Israel made their staves (the ensigns, haply, of their honour) instruments of the common good, Num_21:18; when the nobles of Tekoah are blemished in their blood for this, that they "put not their necks to the work of their Lord," Neh_3:5. The Biscanies vaunt of themselves among the Spaniards that they are the right Hidalgoes, that is, gentlemen, as the Welshmen do here. But Christian nobility is the best and truest where God himself is the top of the kin, and religion the root; in regard whereof all other things are but shadows and shapes of nobleness. The Jews of Berea were more neble, or of better descent, Non per civilem dignitatem, sed per spiritualem dignationem, as one saith: Not by civil descent, but by spiritual advancement.



{a} The shield or shield-shaped surface on which a coat of arms is depicted; also in wider sense, the shield with the armorial bearings; a sculptured or painted representation of this. ŒD