*Acts 17:16-34
In Athens, Paul preaches on Mars Hill about the unknown God, drawing interest from some Athenians but mockery from others.
- Paul in Athens:
- While waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, Paul is distressed to see the city full of idols.
- He debates in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace daily with those who happen to be there.
- Encounter with Philosophers:
- Paul’s discussions catch the attention of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. They debate with him, some saying he seems to be advocating foreign gods because he preaches about Jesus and the resurrection.
- They bring him to a meeting at the Areopagus (Mars Hill), asking him to explain his teachings, which sound strange to them.
- Paul’s Speech at the Areopagus:
- Paul addresses the gathered Athenians, acknowledging their religiousness and pointing out an altar with the inscription “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.”
- He declares that this unknown god whom they worship without knowing is the one true God who made the world and everything in it.
- Paul explains that God does not live in temples made by hands and is not served by human hands, as he doesn’t need anything. Instead, he gives life and breath to everything.
- He asserts that God commands all people everywhere to repent because he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice through a man he has appointed, offering proof by raising him from the dead.
- Mixed Reactions to Paul’s Message:
- When Paul mentions the resurrection of the dead, some of the audience mock him, while others express interest in hearing more.
- A few men, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, along with some others, believe and join him.
- Conclusion of Athens Visit:
- Following these events, Paul leaves Athens.
17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
17:17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
17:19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 17:20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
17:21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
17:33 So Paul departed from among them.
17:34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.