Acts 17:22-31

Paul stood up. Many seem to think Paul made a great mistake in what he said to this group, and see a resolve never to repeat this error in what he says in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. But this cannot be! Paul was an inspired apostle! Therefore, what he said was proper for this situation. (1) These people were totally ignorant of God. (2) Acts 17:19 implies they were hostile to some degree. (3) Paul spoke the truth plainly, without any verbal trickery. (4) He followed the principle of 1 Corinthians 9:21. Men of Athens. Since this is an unofficial meeting, he says this to call them to order. You are very religions. [Superstitious originally meant religious.] This is a compliment. He saw this wherever he went in Athens. To an Unknown God. We infer that there were a number of altars in Athens with this inscription which he quotes. Is what I now proclaim to you. "I, whom you consider an ignorant show-off, proclaim to you the God whom you are only dimly aware of." This is not an insult, but is designed to make them listen. God, who made the world. He describes God: (1) He made the world. (2) Lord of heaven and earth. (3) Does not live in temples. (4) Does not need the service of men. (5) Is the source of life to all men. (6) Created all races from the one man. (7) Decrees that men should look for him. (8) We too are his children. (9) God is not like any image shaped by man. It dishonors him to worship an idol. God has overlooked the times. Before Christ came, the Gentiles had no revelation from God, and the Jews had only an imperfect one (Hebrews 1:1-2; Hebrews 8:6-7). Since Christ has come, God's final and complete Truth has been given to mankind. To turn away from their evil ways. Knowledge implies responsibility. When men learn the truth, they are obligated to obey it. The gospel leaves no one out. God's command is to all men everywhere. For he has fixed a day. Everyone will be required to account for how he has used his earthly life. By means of a man. It will be Jesus Christ who sits at Judgment. He has given proof of this. The proof is the Resurrection. If Jesus is raised from death, then all will be raised (1 Corinthians 15:20); this proves the Judgment.