So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
17. With the Jews and religious men. It was an ordinary thing with Paul, wheresoever the Jews had synagogues, there to begin, and to offer Christ to his own nation. After that he went to the Gentiles, who, having tasted of the doctrine of the law, though they were not as yet thoroughly nousled up in [imbued with] true godliness, did, notwithstanding, worship the God...
Paul, though a scholar, made no business of their philosophy, he had learned to call it vain and stood above it. His work was to correct their disorders in religion, to turn them from idols and Satan's service to the true God in Christ. A city wholly given to idolatry needed not curious questions but correction.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 17:16-21
Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews,.... There being a synagogue of the Jews here, and there being many Jews settled in this place, hence we read in Jewish writings (c) of men going from Jerusalem to Athens, and from Athens to Jerusalem; and hence it may be accounted for, how many of the Athenian philosophers came to be acquainted with the books...