Acts Bible Study: Acts 17:16-34

‌‌‌‌Acts 17:16–34 (NASB)‌16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—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 which you are proclaiming? 20 “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.) 22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out of 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.‌‌‌‌‌The Idolatry in Athens: (v. 16) ‌16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. ‌‌‌The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Sixteen: Responding to God’s Word (Acts 17:16))‌The city. Athens was in a period of decline at this time, though still recognized as a center of culture and education. The glory of its politics and commerce had long since faded. It had a famous university and numerous beautiful buildings, but it was not the influential city it once had been. The city was given over to a “cultured paganism” that was nourished by idolatry, novelty (Acts 17:21), and philosophy.“The Greek religion was a mere deification of human attributes and the powers of nature,” wrote Conybeare and Howson in their classic Life and Epistles of St. Paul. “It was a religion which ministered to art and amusement, and was entirely destitute of moral power” (pp. 280–281). The Greek myths spoke of gods and goddesses that, in their own rivalries and ambitions, acted more like humans than gods; and there were plenty of deities to choose from! One wit jested that in Athens it was easier to find a god than a man. Paul saw that the city was “wholly given to idolatry,” and it broke his heart.We today admire Greek sculpture and architecture as beautiful works of art, but in Paul’s day, much of this was directly associated with their religion. Paul knew that idolatry was demonic (1 Cor. 10:14–23) and that the many gods of the Greeks were only characters in stories who were unable to change men’s lives (1 Cor. 8:1–6). With all of their culture and wisdom, the Greeks did not know the true God (1 Cor. 1:18–25).As for novelty, it was the chief pursuit of both the citizens and the visitors (Acts 17:21). Their leisure time was spent telling or hearing “some new thing.” Eric Hoffer wrote that “the fear of becoming a ‘has been’ keeps some people from becoming anything.” The person who chases the new and ignores the old soon discovers that he has no deep roots to nourish his life. He also discovers that nothing is really new; it’s just that our memories are poor (Ecc. 1:8–11).The city was also devoted to philosophy. When you think of Greece, you automatically think of Socrates and Aristotle and a host of other thinkers whose works are still read and studied today. Newspaper columnist Franklin P. Adams once defined philosophy as “unintelligible answers to insoluble problems,” but the Greeks would not have agreed with him. They would have followed Aristotle who called philosophy “the science which considers truth.”‌‌Romans 1:22–23 (ESV)‌22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.‌‌Exodus 20:4–5 (NASB)‌4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God...‌‌2 Peter 2:8 (ESV)‌8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);‌‌‌‌‌‌‌Old Methods and New Methods but Same Message: (v. 17-21) ‌17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—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 which you are proclaiming? 20 “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.) ‌‌The Greek for “reasoning” is “dialego”. It is where we get our word, “dialogue”. But in the Greek, it means more than just a discussion. It is an argumentative discussion or a debate. ‌Acts 17:2 (NASB)‌2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures...‌It is saying that Paul was "reasoning” or debating with the Jews in the synagogue [using the Scripture there] and with the Greeks in the marketplace [using Scripture but also logic, reason and Greek philosophy]. With the Greeks, things really got going, particularly with two groups of opposing philosophers… The Epicureans and the Stoics. ‌‌The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Sixteen: Responding to God’s Word (Acts 17:17-21))‌The Epicureans school of philosophy was founded by Epicurus in Athens around 300 BC. Epicurus was an “existentialist” in that he sought truth by means of personal experience and not through reason or logic. The Epicureans were materialists and atheists, and their goal in life was pleasure. To some Epicureans, “pleasure” was physical or sexual; but to others, it meant a life of refined serenity, free from pain, stress and anxiety. A true Epicurean avoided extremes and sought to enjoy life by keeping things in balance, but pleasure or happiness was still his number one goal. ‌The Stoics rejected the idolatry of pagan worship and taught that there was a one “World God.” They were pantheists (The universe was one and the same with God), and their emphasis was on personal discipline and self-control. Pleasure was not seen good by the Stoics and pain was not seen as an evil to avoid but a good to be embraced. It helped make one more disciplined and wise. The most important thing to a Stoic was to follow one’s logic and reason and to learn to be self-sufficient, unmoved by inner feelings or outward circumstances. Stoicism also began in Athens but it was really a response to Epicurean philosophy. ‌I came across a clever way to remember the difference between the two philosophies. ‌The Epicureans said “Enjoy life!” and the Stoics said “Endure life!” ‌Paul used those two opposing philosophies in order to explain how they could enter into Eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus. ‌‌The Areopagus was kind of like like a court and the was the highest tribunal in Athens. That’s where they brought Paul. ‌‌19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? 20 “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.) ‌‌What was on trial there was not Paul himself, but rather the new philosophy on life that they were hearing him proclaim. This court or tribunal was about making sure the philosophy and education in Athens was the very best it could be. They would hear what he had to say, have debate with him, and then determine if this new religious philosophy was worth embracing. ‌‌Colossians 4:5–6 (ESV)‌5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.‌‌1 Peter 3:15 (NASB)‌15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;‌‌‌‌‌‌Paul’s Sermon: (v. 22-31)‌22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. ‌24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”‌‌He started off by complimenting them. (v. 22) ‌‌Paul had been paying careful attention. (v. 23a) ‌‌He found a clear connection point. (v. 23b)‌‌Notice he addressed the Stoics… (v. 24-26)‌24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation...‌‌ˆ27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; ‌‌Paul also addressed the Epicureans… (v. 28) ‌28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’‌‌‌‌Acts 14:15–17 (NASB)‌15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 “In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”‌‌‌‌‌‌The Varied Response to the Gospel: (v. 32-34) ‌32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out of 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.‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌Bible Study Questions:‌What does this Scripture teach us about God?‌What does this Scripture teach us about man?‌Do you see any commands to obey or principles to apply?‌Do you see any promises to claim or blessings to enjoy?‌Do you see any truths to meditate on or Gospel messages to share?‌Did anything else in the passage stick out to you?

Acts 17:16–34 (NASB)

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—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 which you are proclaiming? 20 “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.) 22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out of 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.

The Idolatry in Athens: (v. 16)

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.

The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Sixteen: Responding to God’s Word (Acts 17:16))

The city. Athens was in a period of decline at this time, though still recognized as a center of culture and education. The glory of its politics and commerce had long since faded. It had a famous university and numerous beautiful buildings, but it was not the influential city it once had been. The city was given over to a “cultured paganism” that was nourished by idolatry, novelty (Acts 17:21), and philosophy.“The Greek religion was a mere deification of human attributes and the powers of nature,” wrote Conybeare and Howson in their classic Life and Epistles of St. Paul. “It was a religion which ministered to art and amusement, and was entirely destitute of moral power” (pp. 280–281). The Greek myths spoke of gods and goddesses that, in their own rivalries and ambitions, acted more like humans than gods; and there were plenty of deities to choose from! One wit jested that in Athens it was easier to find a god than a man. Paul saw that the city was “wholly given to idolatry,” and it broke his heart.We today admire Greek sculpture and architecture as beautiful works of art, but in Paul’s day, much of this was directly associated with their religion. Paul knew that idolatry was demonic (1 Cor. 10:14–23) and that the many gods of the Greeks were only characters in stories who were unable to change men’s lives (1 Cor. 8:1–6). With all of their culture and wisdom, the Greeks did not know the true God (1 Cor. 1:18–25).As for novelty, it was the chief pursuit of both the citizens and the visitors (Acts 17:21). Their leisure time was spent telling or hearing “some new thing.” Eric Hoffer wrote that “the fear of becoming a ‘has been’ keeps some people from becoming anything.” The person who chases the new and ignores the old soon discovers that he has no deep roots to nourish his life. He also discovers that nothing is really new; it’s just that our memories are poor (Ecc. 1:8–11).The city was also devoted to philosophy. When you think of Greece, you automatically think of Socrates and Aristotle and a host of other thinkers whose works are still read and studied today. Newspaper columnist Franklin P. Adams once defined philosophy as “unintelligible answers to insoluble problems,” but the Greeks would not have agreed with him. They would have followed Aristotle who called philosophy “the science which considers truth.”

Romans 1:22–23 (ESV)

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Exodus 20:4–5 (NASB)

4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God...

2 Peter 2:8 (ESV)

8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

Old Methods and New Methods but Same Message: (v. 17-21)

17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—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 which you are proclaiming? 20 “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)

The Greek for “reasoning” is “dialego”. It is where we get our word, “dialogue”. But in the Greek, it means more than just a discussion. It is an argumentative discussion or a debate.

Acts 17:2 (NASB)

2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures...

It is saying that Paul was "reasoning” or debating with the Jews in the synagogue [using the Scripture there] and with the Greeks in the marketplace [using Scripture but also logic, reason and Greek philosophy]. With the Greeks, things really got going, particularly with two groups of opposing philosophers… The Epicureans and the Stoics.

The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Sixteen: Responding to God’s Word (Acts 17:17-21))

The Epicureans school of philosophy was founded by Epicurus in Athens around 300 BC. Epicurus was an “existentialist” in that he sought truth by means of personal experience and not through reason or logic. The Epicureans were materialists and atheists, and their goal in life was pleasure. To some Epicureans, “pleasure” was physical or sexual; but to others, it meant a life of refined serenity, free from pain, stress and anxiety. A true Epicurean avoided extremes and sought to enjoy life by keeping things in balance, but pleasure or happiness was still his number one goal.

The Stoics rejected the idolatry of pagan worship and taught that there was a one “World God.” They were pantheists (The universe was one and the same with God), and their emphasis was on personal discipline and self-control. Pleasure was not seen good by the Stoics and pain was not seen as an evil to avoid but a good to be embraced. It helped make one more disciplined and wise. The most important thing to a Stoic was to follow one’s logic and reason and to learn to be self-sufficient, unmoved by inner feelings or outward circumstances. Stoicism also began in Athens but it was really a response to Epicurean philosophy.

I came across a clever way to remember the difference between the two philosophies.

The Epicureans said “Enjoy life!” and the Stoics said “Endure life!”

Paul used those two opposing philosophies in order to explain how they could enter into Eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.

The Areopagus was kind of like like a court and the was the highest tribunal in Athens. That’s where they brought Paul.

19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? 20 “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)

What was on trial there was not Paul himself, but rather the new philosophy on life that they were hearing him proclaim. This court or tribunal was about making sure the philosophy and education in Athens was the very best it could be. They would hear what he had to say, have debate with him, and then determine if this new religious philosophy was worth embracing.

Colossians 4:5–6 (ESV)

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

1 Peter 3:15 (NASB)

15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Paul’s Sermon: (v. 22-31)

22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

He started off by complimenting them. (v. 22)

Paul had been paying careful attention. (v. 23a)

He found a clear connection point. (v. 23b)

Notice he addressed the Stoics… (v. 24-26)

24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation...

Paul embraces debate, reasoning, even philosophy here… (v. 27)

27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us...”

Paul also addressed the Epicureans… (v. 28, 31)

28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

“...having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

His sermon was similar to the one he had preached in Lystra:

Acts 14:15–17 (NASB)

15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 “In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

The sermon is filled will all kinds of Scripture. Although Paul never says he’s quoting Scripture, he reasons with them from the Scriptures, just like he did in (v. 2)

(v. 23) 23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

John 4:22 (ESV)

22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.

24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;

Isaiah 42:5 (ESV)

5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:

1 Kings 8:27 (ESV)

27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built

26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,

Malachi 2:10 (ESV)

10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? ...

Genesis 1:26–28 (NASB)

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

(v. 27) 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

Deuteronomy 4:7 (ESV)

7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?

Psalm 34:18 (ESV)

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

(v. 28) 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

Job 12:10 (ESV)

10 In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

Paul quotes Aratus. Aratus was a Macedonian Greek Stoic philosopher and poet that lived between 310 and 240 BC. He wrote many poems but his most famous was called “Phainomena”,when translated meant “Appearances”. It was a poem about the stars , the universe and the lore of the weather displayed here on earth. The first couple chapters are about Zeus but the greater theme was about the Divine Nature, the World God of the Universe. The idea was that god was in nature and could be seen in the stars and in weather god’s power was displayed. But it is in that poem that Aratus said that people are children or offspring of the God of Nature.

Carl Saga borrowed from that same poem when he would often refer to mankind as “stardust”.

Deuteronomy 14:1 (ESV)

1 “You are the sons of the Lord your God...

(v. 29) 29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.

Isaiah 40:18–22 (ESV)

18 To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? 19 An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. 20 He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. 21 Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in...

(v. 30) 30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

Here he preaches Jesus.

The Varied Response to the Gospel: (v. 32-34)

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out of 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.

Some rejected the message.

Others hadn’t made up their mind yet. They wanted to hear more before they made a final judgment on this new philosophy.

BUT some believed in Jesus and were saved. We have two mentioned here by name: Dionysius and Damaris.

An Areopagite was a judge in the court of the Areopagus. Dionysius was one of those judging the philosophy Paul was preaching. We don’t know much else about him and we know hardly anything at all about Damaris.

Bible Study Questions:

What does this Scripture teach us about God?

What does this Scripture teach us about man?

Do you see any commands to obey or principles to apply?

Do you see any promises to claim or blessings to enjoy?

Do you see any truths to meditate on or Gospel messages to share?

Did anything else in the passage stick out to you?