BIBLE IN TEN

Acts 17:25

Thursday, 15 June 2023
 
“Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. Acts 17:25
 
The words more correctly read, “nor is he attended by humans’ hands, further needing anything, He giving to all life, and breath, and all things” (CG).
 
Paul is in the process of proclaiming the true God to those in Athens. He just noted that being Lord of heaven and earth, he does not dwell in temples made with hands. With that noted, he now continues, saying, “nor is he attended by humans’ hands.”
 
The verb translated as “attended,” is therapeuó. One can see the root of our modern word therapy. It signifies to heal, care for, attend to, etc. Most translations say “serve.” But there is a suitable word translated as serve used elsewhere. That gives the idea of serving, such as in ministering, worshiping, accomplishing tasks, and so forth.
 
In the case of this word, it would be as if God has a need that must be attended to. To avoid confusing the two, saying attended provides the proper meaning. Paul is saying that there is nothing lacking in God that would need man’s attention.
 
As for the words “humans’ hands,” the Greek adjective anthrópinos is introduced here. In this case, it is plural. Rather than “men’s hands,” which would be a noun, it is more rightly translated as “humans’ hands.” Thus, it is contrasted with the divine nature of God. From there, Paul says, “further needing anything.”
 
The word translated as “further needing,” prosdeomai, is found only here. It is a present participle signifying to want more or to need more. God needs nothing. The thought is expressed by the Lord in Psalm 50 –
 
“I will not take a bull from your house,Nor goats out of your folds.10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,And the cattle on a thousand hills.11 I know all the birds of the mountains,And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you;For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.” Psalm 50:9-12
 
This should be obvious. God is. He is the Source of all things. As this is true, then there is nothing that he needs from man. Paul then explains this in the simplest terms, saying, “He giving to all life, and breath, and all things.”
 
The words life and breath appear almost synonymous, but there is a difference. The zóé, or life, is the state of being alive. It further applies to both physical and spiritual life. It is the existence we possess because it is sustained by God’s self-existence.
 
The breath, or pnoé, was seen in Acts 2:2 when the rushing wind came upon the believers gathered in Jerusalem. This is its second and last use. It signifies both breath and breeze. It is the respiration that occurs because there is life within a being. God gives those things to us, so how could He need something from us to sustain Him?
 
As for “all things,” the Greek reads ta panta – the all. Not only does God provide us with life and breath, but He provides all things necessary for those things to continue. Food, oxygen, water, intelligence, etc. Everything that allows man to live and to continue living is provided by God. As this is so, there is nothing that He needs from us for His continuance.This does not mean that man is not to serve Him. This is where translating the word therapeuó as attended rather than served becomes evident. Man is to serve God. This is seen throughout Scripture. In Revelation 22:3, it says –
 
“And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.”
 
God does not need this from us as if He would be troubled, sick, or die if we did not provide it. Rather, He is glorified in our worship and service of Him. This is the purpose of creating. God shares His goodness with His creatures and it is right that His creatures return to Him the glory He is due. This is not because there is a lack in Him that must be filled, but that the natural result of sharing is that there is a mutual reciprocity that should take place.
 
Life application: If you don’t thank God for the good things you receive, He is not lessened by that. He is not harmed by it either. But when we thank God for each blessing, it demonstrates an appreciation that He is the Giver and we are appreciative of what He has provided.
This is why we should spend our time singing out His praise, telling others of His goodness, contemplating His majesty, etc. Through these things, we are returning to Him the glory that He is due from us.
 
Lord God, You are great and greatly to be praised. We are thankful to You for every good and kind blessing that comes from Your open hand of grace. Dwell in our praises and be glorified upon our lips. You are great and greatly to be praised, O God. Amen.
 

Acts 17:24

Wednesday, 14 June 2023
 
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Acts 17:24
 
Again, as with the previous verse, the NKJV cleans up the mess of the KJV, however, it is still not literal enough. The words read, “The God, having made the universe and all things in it, He – of heaven and earth being Lord – dwells not in handmade temples” (CG).
 
The previous verse noted Paul’s reference to the platform inscribed with GOD UNKNOWN. He then said that he would proclaim that unknown God to those in Athens. He now begins that proclamation, saying, “The God.”
 
The Greek reads, “The God, the having...” The first article does not need to be translated, but the second defines Him as “The God” who will next be described. As seen in the last verse, the pronoun there was neuter – this [One]. Now, the words of this verse are masculine. Of this, Charles Ellicott says –
 
“The masculine form of the pronoun and participles throughout the sentence presents an emphatic contrast to the neuter pronoun of the previous verse.”
 
Paul informs those in Athens that the God he proclaims is not feminine. He is referred to in the masculine. This is something that they could not have known without it being specifically revealed by Him. To those in Athens, He was GOD UNKNOWN. Now He is no longer completely unknown. They know at least something about Him. Paul next says that He is the God “having made the universe.”
 
The word kosmos is almost always translated as world. But that can have various meanings. One is “the inhabitants of the world.” That, for example, would be what is referred to in John 3:16. It can also refer to worldly affairs, the world itself, or the universe.
 
Paul, being a Jew who is perfectly aware of the Genesis 1 creation narrative, would not limit his words to the world alone. That he goes beyond the world itself is evident from what he will say in the rest of the verse. Understanding this, he continues with, “and all things in it.”
 
This could be taken as referring to the things of the world itself or of the universe. The latter is certainly what is on Paul’s mind –
 
 “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth’; and it was so. 16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.” Genesis 1:14-19
 
Regardless of how sizeable the people of Paul’s time considered the universe, it was vast enough from their perspective to know that it extended beyond the world itself. With Paul’s words noting that the God he was proclaiming created all of these things, he next says, “He – of heaven and earth being Lord.”
 
This tells us that Paul was certainly referring to the universe. First, he notes “heaven.” Depending on the context, the Greek word signifies the visible heavens, the atmosphere, the sky, the starry heavens, and the spiritual heavens. This is certainly referring to at least the visible heavens, the starry heavens, and the spiritual realm, summed up in the singular “heaven.” The way this can be determined is by considering his continued words.
 
He next notes “earth” using the word gé. It can refer to a particular land, the ground, or the earth as a whole in contrast to the heavens. Paul is referring to the physical earth as a whole as evidenced by the contrasting thought “of heaven.” He has introduced his audience to the God proclaimed in Genesis 1:1 –
 
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
 
The God he proclaims is Lord of heaven and earth because He is the Creator of those things. The word kurios signifies “absolute ownership rights” (HELPS Word Studies). These things are His and He has the right to direct them and dispense with them according to His will. Of this God, who is the Lord of heaven and earth, Paul thus makes an obvious statement. He “dwells not in handmade temples”
 
This tells us that Paul was not only referring to heaven as the visible heaven and the starry heaven but also to the spiritual heaven. Temples are intended to provide the link between the physical and the spiritual. Thus, Paul’s words are certainly inclusive of that.
 
The meaning of his words is obvious. If God created everything, then nothing can contain Him. He is greater than that which He created. It is a truth pulled right out of the Old Testament from when Solomon dedicated the temple in Jerusalem –
 
“But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!” 2 Chronicles 6:18
 
Paul is using his vast knowledge of Scripture, along with his understanding of the nature of God, to reveal what the true God is like to those in Athens. He will continue with this for only a few verses and then He will tie all of this into the Person and work of Jesus Christ.
 
Life application: The Bible is what reveals God to us in a specific and special way that goes beyond what we can learn about Him from the world around us. Does knowing the Creator in this way matter to you? If not, you need to redirect your thinking. If so, then be sure to read your Bible. It is the one source that we have for knowing and understanding these things.
 
For example, many churches are getting away from the masculine that is used in Scripture. This is not just inappropriate. Rather, it is an offense to God. God does not have parts. He is not a male in the sense that we understand. However, the word shows us that His characteristics are revealed in a masculine manner. To deviate from this is to mar what God has set forth in His word.
Be careful to check Bible translations before you buy them. Make sure they haven’t gone down PC Path onto Heresy Highway. The manner in which God has revealed Himself is not up to us to pick and choose. Likewise, if you are in a church where they have gone down this path, pack your bags and move out. There can be no compromising with those who have compromised. Stand fast on the word and hold fast to what is proper.
 
Lord God, help us to hold fast to the faith that has been handed down to us from the beginning. May we never compromise on what the Bible proclaims. Instead, may we be firm and fixed in our resolve to always put You first. Help us in our walk so that we may bring glory to You. May it be so, O God. Amen.
 

Acts 17:23

Tuesday, 13 June 2023
 
“for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: Acts 17:23
 
The translation of the NKJV clears up many of the errors of the KJV, but it still is not literal enough. The verse reads, “for passing through and analyzing your venerations, I found even a platform on which had been inscribed: GOD UNKNOWN. Whom, therefore – not knowing – you worship, Him I proclaim to you” (CG).
 
The previous verse opened Paul’s speech at the Areopagus, noting that he perceived the men of Athens were super-spiritual. He continues now by giving his reason for stating that, saying, “for passing through.”
 
He is referring to his walk through the city of Athens. While he was in the process of doing so, he explains, “and analyzing your venerations.”
 
The word translated as “analyzing” is found only here and in Hebrews 13:7. It comes from two words signifying “upwards” and “to gaze upon.” Thus, it means to attentively look at something and examine it while doing so.
 
The word translated as “venerations” is a single Greek word, sebasma, a noun used only here and in 2 Thessalonians 2:4. It is derived from sebazomai, to revere or be in awe of. It has almost no comparable English word. It covers not only an idol that is itself the object of worship, nor is it merely an icon that represents something worshiped. Rather, the word encompasses both thoughts and more.
 
Paul is using a word to describe all of the monuments that are venerated within the city. However, if the verb “venerate” is changed to a noun as the object of veneration, then it conveys the sense. Being plural to cover all that Paul is referring to makes it “venerations.” Most translations paraphrase the words and say, “objects of worship.” It speaks of idols, icons, statues, altars, memorials, etc. Anything that is worshiped would fall under this broad word.
 
While perusing all of these things around Athens, he says, “I found even a platform.” The word is bómos and it is only found here in Scripture. It is from the same as basis, a step which then also speaks of a foot. Thus, it refers to a stand, podium, or platform. The Greek translation of the Old Testament uses this word to describe the altar that was built in Joshua 22, but there is no reason to assume that this was an altar in the traditional sense. Of this platform, Paul notes, “on which had been inscribed: GOD UNKNOWN.”
 
The Greek reads with an adjective and a noun: AGNŌSTŌ THEŌ, UNKNOWN GOD. The words “to” “the” “an” etc. are often added for supposed clarity, but the fact that the platform was set apart with the words inscribed on it means that verbs and/or articles are unnecessary. The platform itself reflects the “to” part of the equation. If the word “an” or “the” is added to “UNKNOWN,” then it signifies that something is actually known about that GOD.
 
Of this inscribed platform, Vincent’s Word Studies says –
 
“Under these circumstances an allusion to one of these altars by the apostle would be equivalent to his saying to the Athenians thus: ‘You are correct in acknowledging a divine existence beyond any which the ordinary rites of your worship recognize; there is such an existence. You are correct in confessing that this Being is unknown to you; you have no just conceptions of his nature and perfections.’”
 
Because of this, and with Paul’s thoughts thus expressed, he next says, “Whom, therefore – not knowing – you worship.” The word translated as “not knowing” is translated from the verb agnoeó. The a prefix signifies negation and the word ginóskó means “to know.” Because it is a present participle, it says, “not knowing.”
 
The meaning is that though they know there is a God because of general revelation in the created order, they also know He is entirely unknown to them. Hence, He is GOD UNKNOWN. There is nothing that can be known about Him beyond what can be contemplated through His creation, and thus there is an infinite disconnect between the two. Unless He Himself makes the first move, nothing more can be known about Him. However, Paul has now arrived at Athens and he is going to tell them about this God who has, in fact, made that first move. Thus, he says, “Him I proclaim to you.”
 
The word translated as “proclaim” is kataggelló. It is the verb form of the noun used in verse 17:18. There, they said that Paul was a herald of “foreign gods.” Now, he takes their words and turns them around saying that he heralds GOD UNKNOWN to them.
 
Life application: Studying the Bible is fun. Study your Bible.
 
Most Glorious and Marvelous God. To much of the world, You are unknown, frightening, confusing, or maybe ignored. But to those who have read Your word and accepted its message, You are intimately close, comforting, and ever-present on our minds. We rejoice in You because we know Jesus who has revealed You to us. Thank You, O God, for the close and personal relationship we possess because of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts 17:22

Monday, 12 June 2023
 
Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; Acts 17:22
 
A more literal translation would say, “And Paul, having stood in the midst of the Areopagus said, ‘Men, Athenians, I recognize that in all things you are super-spiritual’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Luke explained that Athenians and the foreigners who came to Athens spent all their time telling or hearing something new. With that thought being understood by Paul, it now says, “And Paul, having stood in the midst of the Areopagus.”
 
Of this, Ellicott says, “The Court sat in the open air on benches forming three sides of a quadrangle. A short flight of sixteen steps, cut in the rock, led from the agora to the plateau where the Court held its sittings.”
 
Paul was standing in the midst of this court where all of those professing to be wise would be gathered to hear whatever presentation was brought forward. In this case, it is the apostle Paul bringing the message of the incarnation and life of Jesus Christ to their ears. To begin, he “said, ‘Men, Athenians.”
 
As in Hebrew, when men are present, the masculine is used. However, later in the chapter, it will be seen that the court was not only attended by men. Having made this formal address, he next continued with, “I recognize that in all things you are super-spiritual.”
 
The word translated as super-spiritual is deisidaimonesteros. It is found only here in Scripture. HELPS Word Studies says – “(from deidō, ‘to dread’ and daimōn, ‘a deity’) – properly, religious (superstitious) fear, driven by a confused concept of God – producing ‘sincere’ but very misdirected religion. Indeed, this is the mark of heathenism.”
 
The word is variously translated as over-religious, very religious, remarkably religious, too superstitious, etc. Rendering it super-spiritual eliminates the often-negative connotation of superstition and it more correctly addresses the state of mind of what he will say in the coming verse.
 
The Athenians, like the supposedly super-spiritual people of today, obviously thought that there were many gods or that all paths led back to God. Such thinking is confused concerning God, what He is like, and what He expects. Paul, being an apostle of Jesus, was there to present to them the truth of God. His words will take from their own writings and he will present them in a manner that clearly expresses concepts that the Hebrew Scriptures had presented since the first verses of Genesis.
 
Life application: One of the most common things you will encounter when witnessing to others about God is a state of mental confusion concerning who He is and what He must be like. By following the pages of the Bible, one can develop a clear understanding of these things.
 
For example, it says in Genesis 1:1 that God created the heavens and the earth. Just a momentary stop before proceeding to the next verse to think about that statement and the reader can deduce that God is therefore before creation. Because time defines the progression of the aging of the creation (meaning that time started when the material universe came into existence), then God must be outside of (before, above, not limited to, etc.) time.
 
Further, and because of what that conveys to us, if God created matter, then He is not associated with matter. Thus, He is Spirit (John 4:24) and He exists in an eternal state where time does not exist. When the Lord said to Moses, “I AM THAT I AM” in Exodus 3:14, He was proclaiming His eternality. But more, He is a Necessary Being who cannot not exist.
 
Thinking on this, and then considering the rest of Scripture in light of this, including the things said about Jesus, we can more fully appreciate innumerable things about God. However, we must be careful to never apply incorrect ideas about Him to our theology. If our thoughts do not align with Scripture, then we must put them aside.
 
If you are saved, you are saved. Your incorrect ideas about God will not change that. However, what you set forth for others in your words or in what you write may affect their chance of ever being saved. Be careful to always consider God from how He has revealed Himself. Don’t try to be smarter than God. That which is considered orthodox has been carefully contemplated for millennia.
 
The chances of you or someone you follow suddenly having a correctly aligned epiphany about God that nobody else has had are very unlikely. But this is how cults get started. So, be careful to not get drawn down strange paths of theology.
 
Lord God, Your word is so very wonderful. It is a revelation of Yourself to us and we can know so much about You if we think about You in relation to it. And, for sure, we can know that anything that is said about You that is not in line with the pages of Scripture cannot be correct. So, Lord, help us to stay on the right path as we seek out who You are. Amen.
 

Acts 17:21

Sunday, 11 June 2023
 
For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. Acts 17:21
 
The translation is more succinct, saying, “Now all Athenians and the visiting strangers passed time in nothing else but to say or to hear some newer thing” (CG).
 
The verse now explains the words of the previous verses. The people who had been listening to Paul asked about his teaching and noted that what he said was strange to them. Luke now explains the reason for their curiosity, saying, “Now all Athenians and the visiting strangers.”
 
Luke leaves off any article before Athenians, lumping them all into one category and denoting their character in general. They, along with the visiting strangers to Athens would gather to ponder things, talk philosophy, challenge one another’s intellect, etc. Luke describes their attitude next saying, they “passed time.”
 
The word used here signifies having opportunity or leisure. Thus, their lives are being spent in trivial pursuits. Luke continues by saying the spending of this leisurely time was “in nothing else but to say or to hear some newer thing.”
 
Of this, Ellicott notes, “Theophrastus (c. 8) uses the self-same word in describing the questions of the loquacious prattlers of society, ‘Is there anything new? . . . Is there anything yet newer?’” Other quotes and observations along these same lines are found in the writings of classical authors concerning the Athenians.
 
This is why they were so curious about Paul’s words. They had itching ears and needed them scratched. Hence, when they heard Paul speaking, they knew they had the opportunity to continue to whittle away their time in the pursuit of new wisdom.
 
Life application: In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon describes himself in somewhat the same manner as Luke describes those in Athens. For example, he says –
 
“I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.” Ecclesiastes 1:12, 13
 
Again, he says –
 
“As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep,Who can find it out?25 I applied my heart to know,To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things,To know the wickedness of folly,Even of foolishness and madness.” Ecclesiastes 7:24, 25
 
Solomon pursued many things as evidenced in his writings, but through much of his life he failed to properly align his pursuits with the knowledge of the Lord. This is not uncommon in the world. How many people are “news junkies.” Many people go from one news site to the next looking to satisfy a craving for something new.
 
This is true with people who watch one prophecy report after another. They are never satisfied with having heard things, but immediately go to hear more. As long as it tickles their ears, they are happy. The problem with this is that such people generally have very little biblical knowledge, nor do they especially care about what the Bible actually says. Paul writes about this attitude –
 
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3, 4
 
As for both Solomon and Paul, they each give the remedy for this type of attitude –
 
Solomon:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:Fear God and keep His commandments,For this is man’s all.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
 
Paul:
“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17
 
Don’t spend your time in foolish pursuit. Rather, learn the word of God by reading it daily and applying it to your life. In the end, the latest news and the newer things aren’t really new at all. It is a trap to entice you away from what is good and proper –
 
“Is there anything of which it may be said,‘See, this is new’?It has already been in ancient times before us.” Ecclesiastes 1:10
 
Lord God, may we not be foolish in our pursuit of vain things. Rather, help us to remain focused on You and in growing in the knowledge of Your word. When our days are over in this life, we will enter our eternal state. On that day, may You be pleased with the lives we have lived in anticipation of what lies ahead. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Acts 17:20

Saturday, 10 June 2023
 
“For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” Acts 17:20
 
In the previous verse, Paul was taken to the Areopagus and asked what the new teaching he was presenting meant. Now, those same people say, “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears.”
 
The clause is almost impossible to directly translate because the words “strange things” come from a present participle, xenizonta. The word xenizó signifies to receive as a guest and thus to be strange. The people speaking to Paul use this verb which we will normally use as an adjective.
 
If one takes the word startling as a verb instead of an adjective, it can almost give the sense, such as, “He was startling his friend.” But because the word is plural, it would need to say, “For are startlings you bring to our ears.”
 
The sense is that what Paul is speaking to them actively causes their ears to respond through surprise. Because of this, they continue, saying, “Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” Again, the words are complicated because of the use of four verbs. A literal translation would be, “we desire, therefore, to know what these things wish to be.”
 
Most English translations get the point across well without being literal. The people confronted Paul wanting clarification for the things he had been saying. With that, an explanation concerning their curiosity will be given in the coming verse.
 
Life application: It is hard to imagine at times, but there are many people who have never heard the gospel. There are even many who have never heard of Jesus. In the West, that is less common, but even here this is true. When you meet someone who has never heard of Jesus and you begin to tell them about Him and what He did, you can often get a response like that of those in Athens.
 
People get confused or even bewildered as you try to explain. Some from foreign cultures may have never heard the word “sin” before. It may exist in their own language, but they think of it in a different way than believers will. Until they can properly understand the word, you are at a bit of a roadblock in what you can say.
So be ready to take the time to explain something carefully that most people just take for granted. Eventually, and with care, people will get what you are saying, but it may take a bit of time and effort. Don’t get discouraged. Rather, take it as a challenge and enjoy the process as you introduce precious souls to the wonderful saving message of Jesus.
 
Lord God, help us to be clear and precise in how we present the gospel. Open our minds to what we should say so that the words are properly set forth. From there, the choice must be made, but at least we have done our part in telling others about this glorious message of reconciliation and redemption. Amen.
 

Acts 17:19

Friday, 9 June 2023
 
And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? Acts 17:19
 
The previous verse noted the questioning of the Epicureans and Stoics concerning Paul. Along with them, others perceived that Paul was proclaiming foreign gods. That now continues, saying, “And they took him.”
 
More literally, “And they took hold of him.” The sense is that of personal initiative in the act of seizing someone or something. At times, it can be a forceful seizing of someone. At others, it is a purposeful act of helping someone along. This is another indication that Paul was dependent on others for assistance. In this case, it was especially so because it involves ascending a hill. As it next says, “and brought him to the Areopagus.”
 
The location in Greek is the Areios Pagos and is directly translated as the Hill of Ares. Ares is the Greek God of war also called Mars. The word pagos means a rocky hill. Of this location, Vincent’s Word Studies, also citing another source, says –
 
“The Hill of Mars: the seat of the ancient and venerable Athenian court which decided the most solemn questions connected with religion. Socrates was arraigned and condemned here on the charge of innovating on the state religion. It received its name from the legend of the trial of Mars for the murder of the son of Neptune. The judges sat in the open air upon seats hewn out in the rock, on a platform ascended by a flight of stone steps immediately from the market-place. A temple of Mars was on the brow of the edifice, and the sanctuary of the Furies was in a broken cleft of the rock immediately below the judges' seats. The Acropolis rose above it, with the Parthenon and the colossal statue of Athene. ‘It was a scene with which the dread recollections of centuries were associated. Those who withdrew to the Areopagus from the Agora, came, as it were, into the presence of a higher power. No place in Athens was so suitable for a discourse upon the mysteries of religion’(Conybeare and Hewson).”
 
At times, the name Areopagus may be used to indicate the hill itself or as name for the court that met there. This is like Hollywood indicating both a location as well as the industry that has formed at the location. The reason for taking him there is next explained. Those who conducted him were “saying, ‘May we know.’”
 
The word used is dunamai. It signifies ability or power. Thus, there is a polite but seemingly almost sarcastic tone in their words, “Are we able to know?” Paul was in the agora teaching. These people heard him and were perplexed by what he was saying because their form of life and conduct, as well as their personal beliefs, were contrary to the idea of sin and atonement as well as death and resurrection. This can be seen by what has already been presented –
 
Because:
“What does this seed-picker want to say?”
“He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods.”
 
Therefore:
“Are we able to know what this new doctrine?”
 
Because of this state of curiosity, they continue with “what this new doctrine is of which you speak?”
 
There is no hint of them having brought Paul there for a trial or to make an accusation against him. Rather, verse 21 will indicate that those who brought him, along with those who were already at the Areopagus, had a different intent altogether. Paul is being asked to more fully explain what he had been talking about while in the agora.
 
Life application: If you were asked to explain your faith in Jesus at Princeton University, would you be able to do it? If so, you would surely be challenged by some, belittled by others, and entirely dismissed by many. How would you handle such a crowd?
 
Like Paul, you may be asked to defend your faith at some point, explaining the hope that you possess. As you are speaking, you may hear, “I have been told the Bible is unreliable.” Would you have an answer to that? While you are talking about Jesus and the resurrection, someone else may be asking about the flood of Noah. “How can you believe such a ridiculous story?”
 
You should expect this because it is the standard thinking of people in the world today. In some cases, you can turn the question into another question. “Did you know that the theories of creation and evolution are ‘theories’ because they have not been proven? Is it more reasonable to believe that God created the universe or to believe that the universe created itself?”
 
At other times, you may want to make firm proclamations about your faith. “I believe in Jesus Christ because He is the Subject of the Bible. What is presented in its pages concerning the nature of man, the problem with humanity, and the resolution of that problem is exactingly detailed there. And more, Jesus is the only acceptable explanation for the resolution to it.”
 
Think about such things. Practice them in your head. Watch videos or read books concerning creation. Consider how Jesus is anticipated or explained in your reading of the Bible each day. Prepare your mind for the times when you are questioned about these things. No time spent learning about them will be wasted time. Life is short. Spend yours getting to know this wonderful Creator and Redeemer and then be prepared to tell others about Him!
 
O God, it is a world filled with unclear thinking about who You are and our standing in relation to You. But these things are revealed in Scripture. So, Lord, help us to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that we possess. May we not stand unprepared when we are asked or challenged concerning our faith. Amen.

Acts 17:18

Thursday, 8 June 2023
 
Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?”
Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. Acts 17:18
 
In the previous verse, it noted that Paul met in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. That would surely be those he met with in the synagogue. But while meeting them, others became curious about what he was saying. That is seen beginning with the words, “Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.”
 
Athens was the place where the great philosophers gathered to contemplate the various issues that affected man such as God or gods, nature, the state of man, reason, etc. They thought that the search for wisdom was the highest form of existence. This is what Paul alludes to in 1 Corinthians 1 –
 
“For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
 
Albert Barnes gives a detailed description of the Epicureans and Stoics –
 
Of the Epicureans - This sect of philosophers was so named from Epicurus, who lived about 300 years before the Christian era. They denied that the world was created by God, and that the gods exercised any care or providence over human affairs, and also the immortality of the soul. Against these positions of the sect Paul directed his main argument in proving that the world was created and governed by God. One of the distinguishing doctrines of Epicurus was that pleasure was the summum bonum, or chief good, and that virtue was to be practiced only as it contributed to pleasure. By pleasure, however, Epicurus did not mean sensual and groveling appetites and degraded vices, but rational pleasure, properly regulated and governed. See Good's "Book of Nature." But whatever his views were, it is certain that his followers had embraced the doctrine that the pleasures of sense were to be practiced without restraint. Both in principle and practice, therefore, they devoted themselves to a life of gaiety and sensuality, and sought happiness only in indolence, effeminacy, and voluptuousness. Confident in the belief that the world was not under the administration of a God of justice, they gave themselves up to the indulgence of every passion the infidels of their time, and the exact example of the frivolous and fashionable multitudes of all times, that live without God, and that seek pleasure as their chief good.
 
And of the Stoics - This was a sect of philosophers, so named from the Greek στοά stoa, a porch or portico, because Zeno, the founder of the sect, held his school and taught in a porch, in the city of Athens. Zeno was born in the island of Cyprus, but the greater part of his life was spent at Athens in teaching philosophy. After having taught publicly 48 years, he died at the age of 96, that is, 264 years before Christ. The doctrines of the sect were, that the universe was created by God; that all things were fixed by Fate; that even God was under the dominion of fatal necessity; that the Fates were to be submitted to; that the passions and affections were to be suppressed and restrained; that happiness consisted in the insensibility of the soul to pain; and that a man should gain an absolute mastery over all the passions and affections of his nature. They were stern in their views of virtue, and, like the Pharisees, prided themselves on their own righteousness. They supposed that matter was eternal, and that God was either the animating principle or soul of the world, or that all things were a part of God. They fluctuated much in their views of a future state; some of them holding that the soul would exist only until the destruction of the universe, and others that it would finally be absorbed into the divine essence and become a part of God. It will be readily seen, therefore, with what pertinency Paul discoursed to them. The leading doctrines of both sects were met by him.
 
The incorrect doctrines of both sects are addressed by Paul in his writings. As for them, it next says that they “encountered him.”
 
The word is sumballó. It signifies “to throw together.” Hence, the meaning is to be derived from the surrounding context and can signify encounter, discuss, engage, ponder, etc.
 
In this case, Paul is in the agora talking about faith in Christ, certainly highlighting His suffering and resurrection. While talking with those he met, the Epicureans and Stoics, who were probably there doing their own debating, would have heard Paul and wanted to know what he was discussing. As such, the word “engaged” is probably the intent, but the verb being imperfect gives the sense of “were engaging him.” In the process of engaging with him, it next says, “And some said.”
 
Again, the verb is imperfect, “And some were saying.” It is obvious that in hearing Paul’s words and comparing them to their own ideas about life, death, suffering, and so forth, they were both curious and yet somewhat contemptuous. Therefore, they questioned, “What does this babbler want to say?”
 
The word translated as “babbler,” spermologos, is found only here. It literally translates as “seed-picker.” One can think of a crow picking up seeds, flitting about, and squawking without any sense of rhyme or reason. Figuratively, it would be a person who is talkative and opinionated and who picks up scraps of knowledge and sets them forth in a willy-nilly fashion. As for the verb, the mood is optative and so the thought is something like, “What is this seed-picker desiring to say.”
 
In other words, what Paul is saying isn’t making sense to them. To them, he was putting out irrational ideas. Suffering? Resurrection? What he was saying wasn’t forming any cohesive thoughts in their minds.
Because of this, others who heard and had an incorrect idea of his discourse spoke up. It literally reads, “and others.” This means “other than the Epicureans and Stoics.” They were saying, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods.”
 
Here is another word found only here in Scripture, kataggeleus. It signifies a herald. To them, Paul was seemingly speaking about two things. Therefore, they used the plural word, daimonion, or gods. These two things are explained by Luke’s next words, “because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.”
 
What this probably meant to them is that Paul was preaching Jesus as a “god” as well as “the Anastasis,” as a god. The word anastasis signifies “a standing up,” thus “the raising” or “the resurrection.” Hence, they think that Paul’s proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection not as an action but as a second god. In other words, “He is preaching the Jesus and the Anastasis,” rather than “Jesus who was resurrected.” Hence, the word daimonion, the plural term for heathen gods or demons is used.
 
Life application: In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul spends a great deal of time explaining the resurrection. This is based on the words of verse 12, “...how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead.”
 
This would have probably been introduced by some who followed the Greek philosophers or who were later influenced by them after first believing.  For example, The Epicureans didn’t believe the gods exercised any care or providence over human affairs and they denied the immortality of the soul. As such, they believed that the soul and body died together.
 
Likewise, some of the Greek philosophers believed in Pantheism, the universe is a manifestation of God. Others believed in Panentheism; God is in all of creation. The Bible, in both testaments, refutes of these. Paul spends considerable time explaining the nature of God, speaking against such notions.
God is before all things, He is the Creator of all things, but He is not “all things” nor is He “in” all things in the sense that would allow the creation to be worshiped or to assume that the divine is in us. Rather, we can think of a painter making a painting. His hand is in the painting, but the painting is not the painter, nor is the painter in the painting, except as an expression of Himself.
To understand the intricacies of what God is like, we must first grasp what Scripture says, contemplating it carefully. From there, we can make logical deductions about Him. But we must also be careful to not incorrectly assume that metaphors, anthropomorphisms, etc., about God that are given in Scripture are to be taken literally.
 
For example, because of how metaphor is used, some people demand that the earth must be flat. They have incorrectly assigned metaphors found in Scripture to their idea of the world. That can occur in our ideas about God as well. Understanding Scripture from a proper context and contemplating philosophy, science, and other disciplines can help us logically think about what God is like. Spend your time wisely and contemplate God carefully. You will be better off when you do.
 
Lord God, may our ideas about You come first and foremost from Scripture. With an understanding of it, our minds will then be properly directed to consider the various disciplines of study that we come across in our lives. Instead of fitting You into science, we can understand science in relation to You. Help us to put You and Your word first and all else will find its proper place. Amen.

Acts 17:17

Wednesday, 7 June 2023
 
Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:17
 
The NKJV, though cleaning up the KJV in some areas, is still not salvageable. For this commentary, the following will be used: “Therefore, indeed, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and those worshiping, and in the marketplace on each day with those meeting him” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Paul’s spirit was provoked within him because the city of Athens was given over to idols. Because of this, it next says, “Therefore, indeed.”
 
The intensity of the matter is seen in this. Luke takes Paul’s situation and highlights it. He will then explain what Paul’s response to the idol-filled city was, beginning with, “he was reasoning in the synagogue.”
 
This is the same thought as that of verse 17:2, which said, “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” The imperfect verb shows a continuing effort. He didn’t just go in, give his thoughts, and sit down. Rather, he continued to reason with those in the synagogue. In this, his reasoning was “with the Jews and those worshiping.”
 
This was his usual habit. He would reason with those who already knew Scripture about their need for Jesus. His reasoning there would be just as with those in Thessalonica and Berea. He would be “explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ’” (Acts 17:3).
 
However, this was not his only time of discourse. The intensity of wording at the beginning of the verse is more fully realized in his efforts that went beyond the synagogue. That is seen in the next words, “and in the marketplace on each day.”
 
Paul took no time off but went into the agora and spoke out against the idolatry that filled the city. His spirit was so moved within him, that he could not constrain himself to simply talk to those in the synagogue, waiting for them to be moved by (or rejecting of) his words. This speaking in the marketplace wasn’t just to Jews and proselytes, but “with those meeting him.”
 
Being the public meeting place, even if he was originally only speaking to those who came from the synagogue, others could hear. In hearing, if they were interested in listening, they could then engage in the conversation as well. This will be seen in the next verse.
 
Life application: It isn’t known who Paul initially spoke to in the marketplace, but it may have just been people he reasoned with on the Sabbath at first. In other words, “Meet me at the agora and we can have some tea and talk more about what you heard today.” By speaking to them in public, it would provide a chance for anyone to hear his words.
 
This is a good way of getting new people to listen to what you have to say. If it is a nice day and you have the opportunity to have a Bible study in a park, on the beach, or in some other public place, people will naturally slow down and listen as the teacher speaks. That may spark curiosity and a desire to know more.
 
Consider this avenue. It is non-confrontational like street preaching because anyone listening is leaning into a group meeting, and so the event is passive. Street preaching, on the other hand, is actively targeting people.
 
Despite the non-confrontational nature of such a meeting, there are some who will be offended by you exercising your rights in public. They may be the ones who get confrontational, so be prepared for that as well. Paul faced this, and you might, but it is still a great way of passively getting people interested in the Bible.
 
Lord God, the church isn’t just a building and a set time to meet. The church is comprised of people wherever they are and whenever they meet. Help us to be willing to teach, instruct, and lead others to You at any time and in any location. May the church grow because we are willing to put forth effort among those we encounter. Amen.
 

Acts 17:16

Tuesday, 6 June 2023
 
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Acts 17:16
 
In the last verse, Paul was brought to Athens and then he had asked for Silas and Timothy to be sent to him. With that remembered, it now says, “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens.”
 
The verb is a present participle, “And Paul, waiting for them in Athens.” As for this time of waiting, nothing is said about how long he waited for Silas and Timothy. But nothing is said of them meeting him in Athens either. In Chapter 18, it will note Paul leaving from or Athens and going to Corinth. Only while in Corinth does it then say that Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia. As for his time alone in Athens, it next says “his spirit was provoked within him.”
 
It is a new word in Scripture, paroxunó. It will only be seen again in 1 Corinthians 13:5. It comes from two words signifying “alongside” and “a sharp edge.” Hence, literally “to cut alongside. Figuratively, it signifies to become emotionally provoked. As He was checking out the city, he was stirred up inside “when he saw that the city was given over to idols.”
 
Here is another new word, found only this once in Scripture, kateidólos. It gives the sense of “full of idols.” The word applies to the city itself, not the inhabitants. Of this state, G.S. Davies records the following –
 
“We learn from Pliny that at the time of Nero, Athens contained over three thousand public statues, besides a countless number of lesser images within the walls of private houses. Of this number the great majority were statues of gods, demi-gods, or heroes. In one street there stood before every house a square pillar carrying upon it a bust of the god Hermes. Another street, named the Street of the Tripods, was lined with tripods, dedicated by winners in the Greek national games, and carrying each one an inscription to a deity. Every gateway and porch carried its protecting god. Every street, every square, nay, every purlieu, had its sanctuaries, and a Roman poet bitterly remarked that it was easier in Athens to find gods than men” (G. S. Davies, St. Paul in Greece).
 
Life application: Paul was provoked in his very being by the idolatry he saw around him. As noted by G.S. Davies, these weren’t just idols of Greek gods, but there were idols of winners in the Greek games which were then marked with inscriptions to deity. Is it any different in our world today?
 
We have idols of sports figures, Hollywood movie stars, famous people like astronauts, politicians, etc. Anytime we allow our attention to be taken off of the Lord and affixed somewhere else, we are caught up in idolatry. This includes those in churches when they bow to statues of Mary and the saints. We can even make an idol out of the Bible, placing a version of it above our love for the Lord.
 
We need to be careful to never allow anything to take away our heartfelt allegiance to the Lord. If something is consuming too much of your time, distracting you from thinking about the Lord, step away from it and refocus your mind on Him. Talk to Him as you go out and as you come in. Think about Him as you look at the beauty of what He has created. Thank Him for the beautiful flowers and the favorable weather. Praise Him in the storms of life. Let your mind be always filled with the Lord.
 
Lord God, help us to remember to fix our eyes on Jesus. May our hearts be directed to You and may we be appreciative of the lives You have given us by speaking to You in our walk each day. Help us not to get distracted by the idols of this world, but to be always attentive to You and Your goodness. Amen.
 

Acts 17:15

Monday, 5 June 2023
 
So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. Acts 17:15
 
Paul was just conducted out of Berea either to the sea and then to Athens or pretending to go to the sea and then to Athens by land. Either way, it now says, “So those who conducted Paul.”
 
Rather, the verb is a present participle, “So those conducting Paul.” Luke writes as if they are in the process of traveling to the next city. As for the word translated as “conducting,” it signifies to set in order or to appoint. It is as if they were given charge over Paul, seeing to his every need, including what it next says. They “brought him to Athens.”
 
Athens is considered the intellectual capital of Greece. The word is the plural of Athéné, or Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and who was reputed to have founded the city. Once Paul and those with him had arrived in Athens, it next says, “and receiving a command.”
 
Rather, it reads, “and having received a command.” Once they had arrived in Athens, they were then given new instructions which were “for Silas and Timothy to come to him.” With Paul safely in Athens, he wanted to set about evangelizing the city. At the same time, he probably wanted these two out of Berea for the time being as well.
 
This would allow things to settle down. Therefore, he sent back word with those who had conducted him for Silas and Timothy to now come to Athens as well. And more, he asked that it be done “with all speed.”
 
One can see the eagerness of Paul in these words. If he truly was in need of care, this would be one reason for their coming quickly to him. But even if it was merely his desire to have a team to evangelize, it is evident that he wanted it to come about quickly. With this note from him, his conductors who are now his messengers “departed.”
 
Life application: Who these men were who conducted Paul is left unstated in the narrative. However, we will have eternity to get to know them. All the redeemed of the Lord throughout all the ages will be joined together in the presence of God. We will know them in a way that we cannot even imagine now.
 
There will be time to learn about them and their lives and to share in the details of the things we did as well. When we are asked about our own lives by such people, will we be able to say, “I also helped conduct the message of the Bible along to others”?
 
We have this one life to live before we come before the Lord. May we not come before Him with empty hands. Instead, may our lives be presented to Him as faithful offerings of having told others about Jesus, having helped with missionary causes, having praised him with our lips and our actions, etc.
 
The Lord set us here for a reason, let us become useful vessels for His use while we remain.
 
Lord God, help us to use our time wisely. May our lives be spent in worthy pursuits, and may our actions be glorifying of You at all times. We shall stand before You someday. And so, may it not be with regret. Prompt us in our hearts and in our souls to be faithful servants while we have the time to do so. Amen.
 

Acts 17:14

Sunday, 4 June 2023
 
Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. Acts 17:14
 
In the previous verse, the Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea and stirred up the crowds there. With that remembered, it next says, “Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away.”
 
It is obviously Paul that the Jews had the problem with. Thus, in order to calm things down, the believers there knew it would be expedient to remove him from the area. His life, or at least his freedom, would be in jeopardy if he remained. And so, sending him out of the area was the proper avenue to take. This they did without any delay. However, they didn’t just walk him out of the city on a trek down the best Roman road. Rather, in conducting him, it was “to go to the sea.”
 
There is a slight variation in the reading of texts here. Some read heós (ἕως) while others read hós (ὡς). With this variation, the text will either read “as it were to the sea” or “as far as the sea.” In the first, it would be a feinting maneuver where they pretended to go to the sea but then conducted him on the road to Athens. If the latter, it would mean they took him all the way to the sea where they would sail to Athens.
 
However, even the first could read, “even to the sea.” This appears more likely as there is nothing said of any stops between Berea and Athens. But the distance between the two is so great that not mentioning such stops seems unlikely. Either way, however, these men conducted Paul either from Berea to the sea and then to Athens by ship, or they pretended to go to Athens by ship and then accompanied him all the way to Athens.
The important point of this is that they would be far enough away from the miscreant Jews to not have them hounding him from town to town. The distance between the two is somewhere around four hundred miles. With this having taken place, it next says, “but both Silas and Timothy remained there.”
 
This makes it obvious that Paul was the object of the Jews’ disfavor. These two men could stay and continue to teach those in Berea without the trouble that Paul brought. They would also be close to Thessalonica and could quickly travel there to check on the church.
 
As for Timothy, he has not been mentioned since Acts 16:1. However, it is obvious that he came with Paul as he traveled. This is certain at least as far as Philippi. However, it is likely that he went with Paul and Silas all the way, but he was not mentioned because Paul and Silas were the main focus of the narrative until this point. With Paul gone to Athens, Timothy is now mentioned in a prominent role along with Silas.
 
Life application: Although it is speculation, the words of this verse give us an indication that Paul required others to be with him. He speaks of an affliction that he had in 2 Corinthians 12. One speculation is that his eyes were poor. Whether this or something else, it is seen throughout Acts and even in his epistles that he is normally accompanied by others. In this verse, he is conducted by others out of the city and even to Athens.
 
Supposing it is true that he had an affliction that necessitated others to tend to him. Is that a cause of shame? To Paul, it obviously was not. His reliance on others allowed them to tend to him. Thus, both benefitted through the interactions that these people willingly participated in.
 
Quite often, we want to carry the heavy loads of life all by ourselves, but the Bible would teach us otherwise. Solomon speaks of this –
 
“Two are better than one,Because they have a good reward for their labor.10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.But woe to him who is alone when he falls,For he has no one to help him up.11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;But how can one be warm alone?12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
 
Let us be willing to allow others the honor and privilege of helping us out when the need arises. At the same time, let us not be a burden on others by having them carry our loads unnecessarily. Taking advantage of others is never a good thing. So, let us have balance in our lives as we interact with others, blessing them according to our abilities and our limitations.
 
Lord God, thank You for those people who come into our lives and bless us with their presence, help, and encouragement. May we be prompted to reach out today and give them a word of thanks and blessing for their kindness toward us. Amen.