An Unknown God, a Known Name
[ READ ] Acts 17:16-34
Paul in Athens
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was 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 happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
Paul Addresses the Areopagus
22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was 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 happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
Paul Addresses the Areopagus
22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
Paul is now in Athens, hot off the trail from spending time in Thessalonica, then Berea. Both times, he is preaching in the synagogue, where many Jews and influential women are captured by the Good News of Jesus Christ, and are saved. Ah, but the old old story of jealousy comes yet again to Paul’s eloquent preaching. The Jews who run the city become jealous and stir up a mob to come and chase Paul from place to place.
In fact, Paul has to flee Thessalonica and Jason, his friend, is left behind to post bond to allow Jason to come back to his own home! We would look on this today and say, what a mess! But God’s plans, through Paul, continue unthwarted. He, along with brother Silas, is escorted by night to Berea. The folks at Berea, according to the first part of Chapter 17, “were people more noble than the Thessalonicans, since they received the word with eagerness…” And yet again, the same mob from Thessalonica follows them and stirs up the crowd. The brothers and sisters immediately send Paul away to the coast, and he arrives at Athens.
In Athens, Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, upon hearing of Paul’s teaching, invite him to the Areopagus and ask about this new teaching. This becomes exciting as Paul, ever the statesman, opens with this line: “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect.” He then goes on to clearly and beautifully explain that their gods are made by man; but the one true God has come and come to give them a new life through Jesus Christ. “He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
He concludes with this amazing offer: “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
People listened to Paul. Some began to ridicule him; others wanted him to come back and tell them more. Still others believed, including Dionysius the Aropagite; a woman named Damaris; and others.
Isn’t this what we are commissioned to do? Tell the truth of the Good News of Jesus with clarity, joy, love? Paul is our mentor, one who taught everyone he met about Jesus; and those who believed grew the church from these early beginnings.
- Eileen Dowd
In fact, Paul has to flee Thessalonica and Jason, his friend, is left behind to post bond to allow Jason to come back to his own home! We would look on this today and say, what a mess! But God’s plans, through Paul, continue unthwarted. He, along with brother Silas, is escorted by night to Berea. The folks at Berea, according to the first part of Chapter 17, “were people more noble than the Thessalonicans, since they received the word with eagerness…” And yet again, the same mob from Thessalonica follows them and stirs up the crowd. The brothers and sisters immediately send Paul away to the coast, and he arrives at Athens.
In Athens, Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, upon hearing of Paul’s teaching, invite him to the Areopagus and ask about this new teaching. This becomes exciting as Paul, ever the statesman, opens with this line: “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect.” He then goes on to clearly and beautifully explain that their gods are made by man; but the one true God has come and come to give them a new life through Jesus Christ. “He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
He concludes with this amazing offer: “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
People listened to Paul. Some began to ridicule him; others wanted him to come back and tell them more. Still others believed, including Dionysius the Aropagite; a woman named Damaris; and others.
Isn’t this what we are commissioned to do? Tell the truth of the Good News of Jesus with clarity, joy, love? Paul is our mentor, one who taught everyone he met about Jesus; and those who believed grew the church from these early beginnings.
- Eileen Dowd
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ The Jews would have read in the Scroll of Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord. That is my name, and I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” However, the Athenians, non-Jews, would not have read this. Examine how Paul, in this chapter, built the case for Christ to non-believers.
+ Do we have a way to explain the Gospel to those who have not heard about Jesus? Or, if they have been confused about the way to salvation? Discuss among yourselves.
+ The Jews would have read in the Scroll of Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord. That is my name, and I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” However, the Athenians, non-Jews, would not have read this. Examine how Paul, in this chapter, built the case for Christ to non-believers.
+ Do we have a way to explain the Gospel to those who have not heard about Jesus? Or, if they have been confused about the way to salvation? Discuss among yourselves.
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ How does these verses in Chapter 17 speak to your own walk with the Lord? Can you take some time to drink in Paul’s words and make them your own?
+ If you are asked to explain why you are a Christian, can you do so with clarity and joy? If not, who could help you in your journey to share the Gospel with your family and friends who are no believers?
+ How does these verses in Chapter 17 speak to your own walk with the Lord? Can you take some time to drink in Paul’s words and make them your own?
+ If you are asked to explain why you are a Christian, can you do so with clarity and joy? If not, who could help you in your journey to share the Gospel with your family and friends who are no believers?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, I love you so much and have a great desire to see my family members and friends know you and love you. I am not always sure about the timing; or even at times, how to start the conversation. But you are my rock and my fortress and you tell me that the Holy Spirit will give me words to say when I call on Him. So I call on the beautiful Trinity and ask you to give me boldness when I talk to others about Jesus and His healing work and love. Settle my heart and empower my thoughts through you and you alone. I love you and worship you and will follow you always. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, I love you so much and have a great desire to see my family members and friends know you and love you. I am not always sure about the timing; or even at times, how to start the conversation. But you are my rock and my fortress and you tell me that the Holy Spirit will give me words to say when I call on Him. So I call on the beautiful Trinity and ask you to give me boldness when I talk to others about Jesus and His healing work and love. Settle my heart and empower my thoughts through you and you alone. I love you and worship you and will follow you always. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
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