Paul in Athens

Today, we are going to be looking at Paul’s speech to the Athenians and how his approach may help us as we witness to the Christian faith in a culture that is made up of people of all different kinds of faith backgrounds - and more commonly today, those without a faith background at all.

First, a little context. Paul entered Athens alone. He had not intended on visiting Athens - but the situation in Berea where Paul, Timothy and Silas had been preaching suddenly turned sideways. Some Jews from Thessalonica who did not like his preaching had showed up and agitated the crowds and Paul’s friends warned him, “Dude, you need to get out of town pronto.”

So Paul scooted up the coast to Athens where he would wait for Timothy and Silas.

Now Paul would have known about Athens - everyone knew about Athens. It was the cultural capital of the world. It had been the foremost Greek city-state going back to the 5th century BC. And when the Roman Empire took over - Athens was able to retain its independence and operate as a free city - a city rich with a philosophical traditions established by Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. This is where the heavy thinkers gathered, where great minds debated, and beautiful art and architecture stood on display. It was probably like going to Richard’s house.

It was also the center of worship of a multitude of Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. There was a popular saying in the first century, “It is easier to meet a god than a person in Athens.” Makes me think of the popular saying of the town of Frostburg where I studied my undergrad work, “per capita, there are more bars and churches than anywhere else in the country.” not that that has anything to do with anything.

Anyway, this is where Paul finds himself. Paul knew all about Greek philosophy and religion. The Stoic school of Philosophy had a famous campus n Tarsus where Paul grew up. Paul was well educated in Greek rhetoric - he new how to argue a point - we see that in his writings - especially Romans. So he was not intimidated in the least among those who loved to debate, he could hold his own in an argument. It is good to always be listening and learning, taking in the thoughts and perspectives of others so we can engage in dialogue.

Alright, it is with this background that we study this passage. I’m going to be referring not only to our workbook, but also to John Stott’s commentary “The Message of Acts.”

What was Paul’s reaction as he explored this well known city?

Luke, the author of Acts, tells us what Paul saw, felt, did and said. Let’s examine all four.

What did Paul see:

Acts 17:16 ESV

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.

other translations say “he was greatly distressed to see that city was given over to idolatry.”

This reveals quite a bit about Paul’s mindset. Most of us, including myself, would have explored the town like a tourist - taking in the beauty. This is where the Acropolis is located - elevated so it could be seen from miles around. If you have ever visited Nashville, you may have seen the full replica of the Parthenon that is built in that city - it is impressive. Inside the columns is a huge statue made of gold and ivory - a statue of the goddess Athena. Apparently in Athens, the point of her spear, gleaming in sunlight, could be seen forty miles away. There were many other images throughout the city.

It was not the beauty of the city that struck Paul. It was the idolatry. The worship of false gods. While the beauty of the city was evident, Paul was not impressed because it did not honor God. It was a misuse of our creative gifts.

I’ve visited New Orleans before and the architecture of the French Quarter is beautiful. But I also remember the shops and displays that featured Voo-doo paraphanailia, tarot cards and vampire lore. At the time, it did not bother me much, I was not a believer. Now that stuff does. It bothers me because it directs people away from the truth.

Paul saw a city under the oppression of idols.

What did Paul feel?

his spirit was provoked within him

He was greatly distressed.

The verb used here is paroxynō - which in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, is the same word regularly used by the Holy God of Israel when reacting to idolatry.

John Stott writes “when the Israelites made the golden calf at Mount Sinai, when later they were guilty of gross idolatry and immorality in relation to the Baal of Peor, and when the Northern Kingdom made another calf to worship in Samaria, they ‘provoked’ the Lord God to anger. Indeed, he described Israel as ‘an obstinate people … who continually provoke me to my very face’. So Paul was ‘provoked’ by idolatry, and provoked to anger, grief and indignation, just as God is himself, and for the same reason, namely for the honour and glory of his name.

Now we can tell by Paul’s reaction to being provoked or distressed that this was an inward emotion. He wasn’t angry at the people of Athens, but he was deeply disturbed by their depravity - they were lost and were giving to idols honor and glory that only God deserved.

This moved him to respond - just as today’s lost culture should move us to respond with the gospel.

What did Paul do?

He reasoned with them. Following the pattern Paul used in every town and city he visited, he first went to the local synagogue and preach the gospel to the Jews and those Gentiles who were god-fearers. Then he preached in the marketplace with those who happened to be there. He would likely use the Socratic method of dialogue, asking questions and providing answers. We can visualize him buying food and engaging the merchants and fellow customers in conversation. The passage tells us he did this daily. He piqued the interest of some of the philosophers in the city.

There were students of two specific schools of philosophy that Paul engaged with according to the passage. The Epicureans considered the gods to be distant and having no interest or influence on human affairs. The world was due to chance. So humans should pursue pleasure, a serene enjoyment of life, detaching themselves to the best of their abilities from pain and fear. There are many today who follow the same system.

The Stoics acknowledged a supreme god yet identifies him as the universe itself - they may think of god as the ‘world soul’ - similar I suppose to the modern use of the term “Mother Nature.” Stoics believed in fate, living out your duty, and living in harmony with nature and reason.

Again, Stott writes “To oversimplify, it was characteristic of Epicureans to emphasize chance, escape and the enjoyment of pleasure, and of the Stoics to emphasize fatalism, submission and the endurance of pain.”

They took Paul and brought him up to Mars Hill (the Areopagus) where he stood before the Athenian supreme council - the guardians of the city’s religion, morals and education and he was asked to present this new teaching - for they “loved to spend their time hearing something new.” (v21)

What did Paul say?

Paul loudly and condescendingly tells them that they have it all wrong - that their gods are worthless and that they are on the fast track to hell.

No…wait a minute. That is not what he said, sorry.

Instead, Paul met them where they were. He looks back at his time in Athens so far and finds something to tie in his message. The presence of an altar to an “unknown god” - after acknowledging that they were a very religious people - he filled in the blank of their unknown god.

Acts 17:24–25 ESV

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

The Epicureans would have been intrigued by Paul’s statement that God and the world were not the same - as well as his assertion that God does not live in temples built by human hands.

The Stoics would find commonality in the harmony of God with humans when Paul stated “He is the one who gives life, breath, and everything else.”

Paul related to his audience and he challenged their thinking.

You may notice - Paul did not mention Jesus in his argument. He did not even mention the cross - which is central to our faith.

He met them where they were and moved them forward. He told them enough, in that setting, that if they desired to pursue the truth - they could come to him. He told them that God has fixed a day where he would judge the world in righteousness by a man, appointed by God and affirmed by him since he was raised from the dead.

As they argued back in forth over this idea of resurrection, we are told that Paul left them

Acts 17:34 ESV

But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

So I need to wrap this up.

How does this apply today?

First, we need to keep our minds open to learning. You have all the tools you need to share the gospel with someone today - but the more you learn, the greater ease you have in sharing and the greater opportunities that will be before you.

Second, does the presence of so many idols in our culture disturb you, provoke you, distress you? It should. Idols oppress people. They hold them back from all the God has in store for them. They dull them to the truth. And they deny God the glory that belongs to Him alone. Let this compel you to prayer first, and then to action.

Third, meet people where they are. This is why we stress relationship building so often in our ministries - people need to know you care if you expect them to hear what you have to say. Get to know folks, strike up conversation, try to understand where they are coming from.

Lastly, point them toward Jesus. Give them something to consider, challenge their way of thinking. This may open them up to being receptive to the Spirit of God. If they are seeking, they will be found. If they are knocking, the door will be opened. Your role is simply to bear witness to the goodness of God in Jesus Christ.

You don’t need to be another Paul. You just need to care enough to share what you have with others.

Amen.