*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.
Acts 17:16-34 teaches us to share our faith in a way that connects with others. Paul saw that the people of Athens were searching for truth, so he spoke to them in a way they could understand. Some believed, while others did not, but he still shared with love and wisdom. This reminds us to meet people where they are, using kindness and respect when talking about our faith. We can apply this by being aware of those around us, finding common ground, and sharing God’s truth in a way that is clear and relatable.
Acts 17:16-34 (WEB)
17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?”Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.19 They took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is, which you are speaking about? 20 For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, I announce to you. 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands. 25 He isn’t served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath and all things. 26 He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live, move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. 30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”33 Thus Paul went out from among them. 34 But certain men joined with him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.