Acts 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.) 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, [ kainoteron (G2537)] - literally, 'newer thing;' as if what was new (says Bengel) 'becoming presently stale, they craved something newer still.' This lively description of the Athenian character is abundantly attested by their own writers. Paul on Mars' Hill (17:22-31)...

16-21 Athens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulous, than some persons, deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead for it in all companies, as occasion offers. Most of these learned men took no notice of Paul; but some, whose principles were the most directly contrary to Christianity, made remarks upon him. The apostle ever dwelt upon two points, which are indeed the principal doctrines of Christianity, Christ and a future state; Christ our way, and heaven our end. They looked on this as very different from the knowledge for many ages taught and professed at Athens; they desire to know more of it, but only because it was new and strange. They led him to the place where judges sat who i...

Verse Acts 17:21. _ALL THE ATHENIANS AND STRANGERS WHICH WERE THERE_] As Athens was renovated for its wisdom and learning, it became a place of public resort for philosophers and students from different parts of the then civilized world. The flux of students was in consequence great; and these, having much leisure time, would necessarily be curious to know what was passing in the world, and would frequently assemble together, in places of public resort, to meet with strangers just come to the city; and either, as St. Luke says, to tell or hear some new thing. "The Athenian writers give the same account of their fellow citizens. DEMOSTHENES, in his reply to _Epist. Philippi_, represents the Athenians as πυνθανομενοι κατα την αγοραν, ει τι λεγεται νεωτερον; _inquiring, in the place of public resort, if there are_ _any NEWS_. We find, likewise, that when Thucyd

FOR ALL THE ATHENIANS - This was their general character. AND STRANGERS WHICH WERE THERE - Athens was greatly distinguished for the celebrity of its schools of philosophy. It was at that time at the head of the literary world. Its arts and its learning were celebrated in all lands. It is known, therefore, that it was the favorite resort of people of other nations, who came there to become acquainted with its institutions and to listen to its sages. SPENT THEIR TIME IN NOTHING ELSE - The learned and subtle Athenians gave themselves much to speculation, and employed themselves in examining the various new systems of philosophy that were proposed. Strangers and foreigners who were there, having much leisure, would also give themselves to the same inquiries. BUT EITHER TO TELL OR TO HEAR SOME NEW THING - Greek: “somethin

EXPOSITION ACTS 17:1 AMPHIPOLIS. This was the ancient capital of that division of Macedonia (Macedonia Prima); see Acts 16:12, note. It was situated on the Via Egnatia, thirty-four miles southwest from Philippi, and three miles from the AEgean Sea. It lay in a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the Strymon, whence its name, _Amphipolis; _its modern name is _Neokhoria, _now a village. Its original name was Ἐννέα ̔οδοί, The Nine Ways. Originally a Thracian city, it was conquered by the Athenians, then by the Lacedaemonians, then fell under the dominion of Philip of Macedon, and finally, with the rest of Macedonia, became part of the Roman empire. APOLLONIA; now probably _Polina, _thirty miles due west

FOR ALL THE ATHENIANS,.... The natives of Athens, who were born and lived there, and were inhabitants of the city, and free of it: AND STRANGERS WHICH WERE THERE; who came there from several parts of the world, to get wisdom and knowledge, to learn the several arts and sciences, and to attend the several sects of philosophers they made choice of: SPENT THEIR TIME IN NOTHING ELSE BUT EITHER TO TELL OR TO HEAR SOME NEW THING; that is, they did so for the most part; and this was the complexion and taste of the generality of them; and with this agrees what Demosthenes himself says of them m, "we, says he (for the truth shall be said), sit here, ουδεν ποιουντες, "doing nothing"----inquiring in the court, ει τι λεγεται νεωτερον, "whether any new thing is said."'' The character of such persons is given, and they are described in a very lively manner by Theophrastus n. The Jewish doctors,...

CHAPTER 17 _ 1. The Gospel in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1)._ 2. The Gospel in Beroea (Acts 17:10). 3. Paul in Athens (Acts 17:15). Three cities in which the Gospel is next preached are before us in this chapter. But there is a marked difference between these three places. In Thessalonica there was much hostility, the result of the success of the Gospel. In Beroea a more noble class of Jews were found. Their nobility consisted in submission to the Scriptures, the oracles of God, and in a ready mind. There was a still greater blessing among the Jews and the Gentiles. In Athens the Apostle Paul met idolatry, indifference and ridicule. An interesting fact is learned concerning the activity of the apostl

PAUL AT ATHENS. Athens was at this time no longer the intellectual centre of the world, nor the best of the leading schools of philosophy; but the fame of the city drew many to it, and a visit to Athens gave finish to the education of a Roman. With no great seriousness, all matters were discussed there, and it offered no promising soil for the Gospel. See Renan's chapter on Athens in his _St. Paul._ ACTS 17:16. The images of Athens were multitudinous; the pillaging of Greek masterpieces by Roman magistrates was not yet far advanced, and what Paul saw might have suggested reflections on the magnificent achievements of Greek art. But to his Jewish eye they were the aberrations of men who did not see God in His works but tried to make representations of Him to worship; he would consider they were all there for that purpose ...

IN THESSALONICA (Acts 17:1-9)...

STRANGERS. See verses: Acts 17:17; Acts 17:18; Acts 17:20. WERE THERE. were dwelling or sojourning. Greek. _epi-demeo._ Only here and Acts 2:10. SPENT THEIR TIME. Greek. _eukaireo,_ to have leisure. Only here, Mar 6:31. 1 Corinthians 16:12. IN. for. Greek. _eis._ App-104. NOTHING ELSE. no other thing. Greek. _oudeis heteros_ (App-124.) NEW THING. newer thing, i.e. the latest idea. Greek. _kainoteros._ Comp. of _kainos_ ...