BIBLE IN TEN

Acts 18:5

Thursday, 29 June 2023
 
When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 18:5
 
The words of this verse should read, “And when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the Spirit, fully testifying to the Jews: Jesus is the Christ” (CG). The previous verse noted Paul having reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks. With that stated, Luke now records, “And when both Silas and Timothy came down.”
 
Paul was in Corinth, living with Aquila and Priscilla. He had gone to the synagogue and reasoned with those who attended each Sabbath. However, with the coming of Silas and Timothy, there is a notable change in the dynamics of what takes place. These two had come down “from Macedonia.”The actual movement of Silas and Timothy is a bit hard to follow. Although unlikely, they may have met Paul and returned to Macedonia or they may have remained in Macedonia the entire time. The last time the two of them were mentioned was in Acts 17:14, 15 while they were in Berea. It is probable that both remained in that area until this point. Once they found that Paul had gone to Corinth, they went there to meet him.
It is believed that 1 Thessalonians was probably written around this time and was then carried back to Thessalonica with whoever accompanied Silas and Timothy. The letter would have been spurred on by the report received by Paul from these two. It is of note that there are some similar thoughts presented in 1 Corinthians 15 and in 1 Thessalonians 4 concerning the return of the Lord and the glorification of the saints. Similarities concerning spiritual gifts are also notable between the two epistles.
 
With the arrival of these two, it next says that “Paul was pressed in the Spirit.” This seems to indicate that the arrival of Silas and Timothy is what urged Paul to a more direct approach concerning his words about Jesus. He had been in the synagogues reasoning from Scripture, but now with his two companions at hand, he became more emboldened than ever to simply proclaim Christ.
 
It seems that up to this point, he had tried to reason with his audience, but now he felt that they simply needed to hear the proclamation. Enough reasoning from Scripture had taken place and it may have devolved into an academic study rather than a gospel presentation. Their arrival seems to have changed this. This is probably because of the words of Silas and Timothy about the state of the believers in Macedonia.
 
In other words, those in Macedonia had readily accepted the words of Paul and they had also remained strong in their faith after his departure. Paul was pressed in his spirit to have the same zeal grow within this congregation as well. The word used to describe this is sunechó. It signifies to press together, confine, compel, afflict, etc. The actual meaning will depend on the context. However, it conveys a very strong emotion or feeling.
 
In this state, it next says he was “fully testifying to the Jews.” The word diamarturomai means more than to testify, but to testify all the way through. Paul bore witness and fully defended his stand on the matter that “Jesus is the Christ.”
 
Some translations, such as the KJV and others, unfortunately read “Jesus was Christ.” Jesus was, is, and ever will be. Saying “was” completely eradicates the idea of the eternal nature of what is presented. The verb is present tense in the Greek and should be rendered as such. And more, various translations, the KJV included, leave off the article by saying, “Jesus was Christ.”
 
The definite nature of the proclamation by Paul indicates that Jesus wasn’t just a Christ, but the Christ. He is the fulfillment of the messianic expectations and the One who had fulfilled them all. He continued in that position at the time of Paul’s words, and He continues in that position to this day.
 
Life application: The subtleties of the word require careful study. Although most translations get the point across about what is being conveyed, they can easily be twisted if someone really wanted to press a matter. Saying “was” in this verse can lead someone to make a faulty statement about the nature of Christ. This is especially so when it is claimed that the translation is perfect and exactly as God intended (as claimed by KJV adherents).
 
The thought can be rectified by reading other statements in the Bible, but not everyone is going to be so diligent to study the word. This is why there are so many aberrant cults and sects out there. People trust without verifying. When this happens, anything can be injected into their minds concerning what the word is conveying. Read the word! Study the word! Be willing to spend your time researching things from the word that catch your eye.
 
Don’t implicitly trust. Instead, verify! Show yourself approved. With this, the Lord will be pleased.
 
Great and awesome God, Your word is so very precious. Help us to seek it out and contemplate it day and night. Even when we are working or on a vacation, we can still think about what Your word told us during our morning study. There is always time to think about what You are telling us. Thank You, O God, for Your precious word. Amen.

Acts 18:4

Wednesday, 28 June 2023
 
And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. Acts 18:4
 
The verse more literally reads, “And he was reasoning in the synagogue on every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks” (CG). The previous verse noted the fact that Paul and Aquila were tentmakers. It may seem a sudden diversion to go from that thought directly into this one, but it really isn’t.
 
Luke is conveying to his reader that Paul didn’t just lounge around all week waiting for the Sabbath. Rather, when he was not involved in telling people about Jesus, he faithfully worked with his hands to support himself. When he wasn’t working, however, Luke records, “And he was reasoning in the synagogue.”
 
The verb, being imperfect, reveals the ongoing nature of the matter. He made this his usual practice. He worked when it was time to work and then he went to the synagogue and reasoned with those there “on every Sabbath.”
 
The Sabbath is the Jewish day of rest. It is the end of the week, falling on Saturday. When Paul wasn’t making tents, he was taking the day off and going to the synagogue, reasoning with those there and “persuading both Jews and Greeks.”
 
As the synagogue was open on the Sabbath, that is the time when the Scriptures could be opened and searched out. It was the time when the Jews were gathered, along with any proselytes and even any Greeks Paul may have encountered and told about Jesus. The word used to describe the Greeks means any Greek speaking person, not just proselytes.
 
Nothing is said about this synagogue being like those in Berea. There, they were said to have “searched the Scriptures daily” to find out if what Paul was saying matched what the word of God said.
 
Despite this, at least they reasoned once a week when the synagogue was opened.
 
Life application: It is not uncommon for Jews and Judaizers to point at verses like this one and say, “See, Paul always kept the Sabbath and so should you.” That is not a well-thought-out argument and it does not pass the smell test. First, the place where the scrolls of Scripture were kept was at the synagogue. Therefore, it was necessary to meet there on the Sabbath. But he also met there all other days when they were open as is evidenced with the synagogue in Berea.
 
Second, the Book of Acts is a descriptive account of what occurred. It does not prescribe anything. As this is so, it is an illegal move in hermeneutics to impose a standard on believers based on what is recorded there. It is true that one can determine from some accounts what is normative and likely to be continued apart from Acts, but going to the synagogue on the Sabbath, though recorded time and again, cannot be considered a normative practice if that is the only day that the Scriptures can be reasoned over.
 
Third, and most importantly, Paul clearly refutes this inane argument numerous times in his prescriptive epistles. He does this in Romans 14:5, throughout the book of Galatians, Colossians 2:16-19, etc. If you want proper instruction on what is prescriptive, go to the epistles. If you don’t want to get drawn away into the cult of works, know what is said in those epistles and stay away from Judaizers and Hebrew Roots Movement adherents, along with any others who would impose mandates from the Old Testament Scriptures.
 
Heavenly Father, You have given us freedom to worship You in spirit and in truth. Please keep us far from those who would put us back under the bondage of legalism and false worship. Thank You that we have an intimate connection with You, anytime and in any place because we are in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Acts 18:3

Tuesday, 27 June 2023
 
So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. Acts 18:3
 
A more literal translation would be, “And because being of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Paul found Aquila and Priscilla. Now it records, “And because being of the same trade.”
 
It is a word found only once in Scripture, homotechnos. One can look at the word and get a sense of its meaning. It signifies being of the same trade or craft. Alfred Edersheim, in his commentary on Jewish social life, noted that Jewish guilds always kept together, whether on the street or in a synagogue. Because of this, he would have easily come upon Aquila and Priscilla. In meeting them, they obviously found each other agreeable and so, “he stayed with them and worked.”
 
Luke doesn’t dwell on the reason for this, but it is evident that this was their means of living. Paul didn’t sponge off of those he evangelized. Instead, he worked with his own hands. He says as much elsewhere –
 
“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:33-35
 
Also –
 
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 7-10
 
Paul also refers to his work in 1 Corinthians 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9. His work in this manner should not be surprising as a large number of Jews throughout history have had particular skills that they possessed and worked with. Jesus Himself is noted by the word tektōn, translated by most as a carpenter, but which very well may have indicated a stonemason. As for Paul and Aquila, it next says, “for they were tentmakers by trade.”
 
The word is skénopoios, and it is also only found here in the New Testament. It comes from skéné, tent, and poieó, to make. As for the work itself, Ellicott says –
 
“The calling was one which St. Paul had probably learnt and practised in his native city, which was noted then, as now, for the rough goat’s-hair fabrics known to the Romans, from the name of the province, as Cilicium (= sack-cloth). The material was one used for the sails of ships and for tents, and on the whole, though some have supposed that leather was used for the latter, it seems more probable that this was the material which St. Paul worked at. It may be added that Pontus, from which Aquila came, was also famous for the same manufacture, the material in each case being furnished by the goats which fed upon the slopes of the Taurus, and the mountain ranges of that province.”
 
Vincent’s Word Studies disagrees with this and says, “Not weavers of the goat's-hair cloth of which tents were made, which could easily be procured at every large town in the Levant, but makers of tents used by shepherds and travellers. It was a trade lightly esteemed and poorly paid.” Even if the job was one looked down on, this did not appear to bother Paul in the least.
 
Life application: It is common in today’s churches that the pastor is paid entirely by the church. This includes his housing and many other fringe benefits. However, smaller churches may have pastors that might not live very well or who have to work other jobs to pay the bills. But there is nothing wrong with this. If one truly loves preaching, then having an extra job or two throughout the week should be considered a blessing and an honor. As Paul says –
 
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8
 
The idea of working in a trade is not unique to the Christian faith, Maimonides says that “the wise generally practice some of the arts, lest they should be dependent on the charity of others.” Likewise, Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “It was a Rabbinical principle that whoever does not teach his son a trade is as if he brought him up to be a robber. All the Rabbinical authorities in Christ’s time, and later, were working at some trade. Hillel, Paul's teacher, was a wood-cutter, and his rival, Shammai, a carpenter. It is recorded of one of the celebrated Rabbis that he was in the habit of discoursing to his students from the top of a cask of his own making, which he carried every day to the academy.”
 
The roots from which the church sprang did not feel it was abasing to do such menial tasks. If Paul could do it and still work tirelessly in the mission field, it should be a badge of honor for pastors, preachers, evangelists, and missionaries to work with their own hands as well.
 
Lord God, Your word says that in having food and clothing it should be a source of contentment. We may need a dose of this ourselves in a world where we have to have more and more all the time. Help us to be productive, not feeding off of others, and willing to toil to whatever extent is necessary for this to come about. May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.
 

Acts 18:2

Monday, 26 June 2023
 
And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. Acts 18:2
 
In the previous verse, Paul departed Athens and went to Corinth. Now it says, “And he found a certain Jew.”
 
Rather, being an aorist participle, it reads, “And having found a certain Jew.” Luke is preparing the next thought through the use of the participle. With the knowledge that he has come across this individual, Luke next records, “named Aquila.”
 
Rather than a verb, the word is a noun and would more rightly read, “by name Aquila.” On the name, Ellicott says, “The name presents some interesting associations. Strictly speaking, the Greek form is Ahylas, but this is undoubtedly the transliterated form of the Latin Aquila (= Eagle). The name appears in a yet more altered form in Onkelos, the traditional writer of one of the Targums, or Paraphrases of the Law, then current among the Jews. In Aquila, one of the later translators of the Old Testament into Greek, himself also born in Pontus, and possibly ... identical with Onkelos, we get the Greek form again.”
 
This individual, Aquila, is seen at other points in Paul’s writings as being his friend, such as in Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19; and 1 Corinthians 16:19. Aquila means Eagle. Despite being a Jew by birth, he became a convert to Christianity. It next says that he was “born in Pontus.”
 
Being an adjective and a noun, it would most closely be translated as a Pontian native. 
Pontus was mentioned in Acts 2:9 as one of the locations where the Jews had gathered from while in Jerusalem at Pentecost. Thus, it could be that he was a convert at that time. It was a province of Asia Minor, situated north of Cappadocia. It was bound on the west by Paphlagonia. Together, Pontus and Cappadocia constituted one Roman province. Peter directed one of his epistles to this area in 1 Peter 1:1.
 
Of Aquila, it next says, “who had recently come from Italy.” Here is an adverb found only this once in Scripture, prosphatós. That comes from the adjective, prosphatos, also found only once in Scripture. That word literally means “freshly killed.” Therefore, in Hebrews 10:20, it describes “‘the new road’ Christ has successfully inaugurated (the NT era) by the sacrifice of Himself.” (HELPS Word Studies). Therefore, this adverb signifies lately or recently.
 
The reason for his having left Italy will be explained in the next few words. For now, it continues by saying, “with his wife Priscilla.” The name Priscilla is a diminutive form of Prisca. She will be called Prisca in Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 2 Timothy. Prisca is a Latin name meaning Ancient or Longevity.
 
With these two noted, it next says, “because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome.” Literally, it says, “because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to be separated from Rome.” Of this, the Pulpit Commentary says, “Suetonius mentions the fact, but unfortunately does not say in what year of Claudius's reign it took place. His account is that, in consequence of frequent disturbances and riots among the Jews at the instigation of Chrestus, Claudius drove them from Rome.”
 
With that note, scholars then assume that it was because of the spread of Christianity, taking Chrestus as a variant spelling of Christ. In other words, it was because of the new faith in Christ that was being proclaimed. The assumption then is that conflicts arose between the Jews and the Romans as well as between believers and nonbelievers. In order to regain control of the situation, the Jews were expelled from Rome.
 
This is defended by variant spellings of the name of Christ that has been found elsewhere. Because of this, lengthy commentaries are then written to defend this scenario. This is possible as Aquila and Priscilla were believing Jews. However, these commentaries ignore the words spoken to Paul in Acts 28 which tend to reveal a curiosity by the Jews about Christianity because they had heard about it but were not well-schooled in what it proclaimed.
 
It seems unlikely that those Jews, having returned to Rome at a later date, would be willing to entertain Paul’s words if they had been kicked out of Rome because of Christianity some years earlier.
 
What seems likely is that Chrestus was a Jew who stirred up the other Jews for some unknown reason, causing them to be separated from Rome. Regardless of the actual reason for the expulsion, it occurred. Having been expelled from Rome, Aquila and Priscilla left Italy together and Paul found them in Corinth where Luke next records, “and he came to them.”
 
Having found them, he joined with them. The reason for this will be explained in the next verse. It is the start of a new friendship for Paul as he continues his missionary work, establishing the gospel and continuing to develop churches into places of sound doctrine and a right understanding of the work of Jesus Christ.
 
As for the verse itself, based upon the evaluation of it, a more literal rendering of it would be, “And having found a certain Jew, by name Aquila, a Pontian native, recently having come from Italy, also Priscilla his wife – because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to be separated from Rome – he came to them.”
 
Life application: Like with the life of Joseph, for whatever reason the Jews were separated from Rome, good came out of what would have otherwise been considered evil to Aquila and Priscilla. Together with Paul, they were able to live and work as they developed their lives in Christ. They will travel to Ephesus with Paul and, as noted above, Paul will refer to them in his epistles, even as late as his second epistle to Timothy.
 
We may find events that arise in our lives troubling, but later we find out that what happened was actually for a good reason. As believers, this will always be the case, even if we never discover the reason for it in this life. We are sons of God through adoption. As this is so, we must believe that He always has the best in mind for us.
 
Therefore, when things seem completely upturned and contrary to what we think is best, let us place the matter in the Lord’s hands and faithfully acknowledge that we trust Him to do what is right. In this, we will be demonstrating faith in Him and His intentions for us. It may be difficult to do but let us strive to have this attitude at all times.
 
Lord God, we know that because of Jesus, You have the very best intention for us. Help us in times of weakness, trouble, and trial, to stand fast on this thought and to remain confident of Your presence in our lives. Thank You that we have a sure and eternal hope because of Jesus. Yes, thank You for Your loving hand upon us. Amen.
 

Acts 18:1

Sunday, 25 June 2023
 
After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. Acts 18:1
 
Note: The order of the words in the NKJV doesn’t follow the Greek. It should read, “And after these things, Paul having departed from Athens came to Corinth” (CG).
 
Paul has spoken at the Areopagus and a few converts were noted from his time there. Now, with that complete, Chapter 18 begins with, “And after these things.”
 
With his efforts complete, a new direction will now take place. Nothing is said of the length of time he was in Athens, but whenever it was time to move on, Luke next records, “Paul having departed from Athens came to Corinth.”
 
Depending on where he started from and arrived at, it was about fifty miles by land. Thus, it would take about two days to make the trip. If he sailed, it would have been a day’s journey. At the time of Paul, it was a Roman colony. There was a synagogue there and it was a city of great commerce. Verse 18:11 says that Paul stayed in this new location for a year and a half. Of the city, Albert Barnes states the following –
 
“Corinth was the capital of Achaia, called anciently Ephyra, and was seated on the isthmus which divides the Peloponnesus from Attica. The city itself stood on a little island; it had two ports, Lecheeum on the west, and Cenchrea on the east. It was one of the most populous and wealthy cities of Greece, and at the same time one of the most luxurious, effeminate, ostentatious, and dissolute. Lasciviousness here was not only practiced and allowed, but was consecrated by the worship of Venus; and no small part of the wealth and splendor of the city arose from the offerings made by licentious passion in the very temples of this goddess. No city of ancient times was more profligate. It was the Paris of antiquity; the seat of splendor, and show, and corruption. Yet even here, notwithstanding all the disadvantages of splendor, gaiety, and dissoluteness, Paul entered on the work of rearing a church; and here he was eminently successful. The two epistles which he afterward wrote to this church show the extent of his success; and the well-known character and propensities of the people will account for the general drift of the admonitions and arguments in those epistles. Corinth was destroyed by the Romans 146 years before Christ; and during the conflagration several metals in a fused state, running together, produced the composition known as Corinthian brass. It was afterward restored by Julius Caesar, who planted in it a Roman colony. It soon regained its ancient splendor, and relapsed into its former dissipation and licentiousness. Paul arrived there in 52 or 53 ad.”
 
As noted by Barnes, the church at Corinth will be the recipient of two epistles. The state of the city reflects the state of the church that sprang from it. There were many problems that had to be addressed and corrected, but Paul’s love for those at Corinth is perfectly evident in his words to them.
 
Life application: Paul tirelessly moved from one place to the next, understanding where he was needed or when he had accomplished his mission. For whatever reason, his time in Athens was short. On the other hand, he will spend a considerable time in Corinth. We may not leave our own area for evangelizing, but we can still look for opportunities in our area that will be fruitful. However, there is also nothing wrong with consistency.
 
Just because there is not a lot of fruit evident in a particular area, it does not mean you are not having an effect. Faithfully showing up on a regular schedule brings a familiarity of your face to those you interact with. Eventually, they are going to have the troubles and trials that all people run into. At those times, they are more likely to reach out for advice or help. This can take many months or even years, but it is likely to come.
 
From there, and depending on how things turn out, others will see the outcome and the ball can begin to roll. Growth in converts can increase quickly at such times. But it took faithful consistency for it to come about. If you are looking to minister to others, talk to the Lord about your efforts and ask Him to direct you. Be patient and yet be forward enough to ensure those you encounter are aware of why you are doing the things you are doing.
 
Nothing you do for the Lord will go unrewarded by Him. So just keep at it, remembering that if you are doing what He would expect of you, that He is pleased with your efforts.
 
Lord God, sometimes it may seem like our wheels are spinning and we are not getting any traction in our spiritual life. But if we are pursuing You and doing what You would approve of, then it must be acceptable to You. And so, Lord, help us to contentedly press on with our efforts. Direct our steps according to Your wisdom and be glorified in how we serve You. Amen.
 

Acts 17:34

Saturday, 24 June 2023
 
However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Acts 17:34
 
More appropriately, the verse reads, “But some men, having joined him, believed: among whom also, Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman by name Damaris, and others with them.”
 
The previous verse noted that Paul had gone out of the midst of the Areopagus. The meaning was that he no longer was in the place of speaking, not that he had left the forum entirely. The result of his words was a bit of mocking while some wanted to hear him again. However, there were some who were more profoundly affected. That is seen in the next words, “But some men, having joined him, believed.”
 
The word translated as “joined,” is kollaó. It signifies to cling to or adhere to. Thus, it would be to stick like glue. HELPS Word Studies notes it is used “frequently in ancient medical language of the uniting of wounds.”
 
It is a touching scene. These people had probably been to the Areopagus many times, sitting and listening to one philosopher after another step forward and present his thoughts on creation, existence, the state of man, the afterlife, and so forth. And yet, they sat listening, unaffected by what they heard. They could see through the vain babblings, knowing that things just didn’t fit with what they could instinctively know or logically deduce about the operation of things around them.
 
And yet, when Paul stepped forward to speak, they suddenly came alive in their spirit. That came by the simple act of belief. What does the word say? Paul explains it in Ephesians 1 –
 
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14
 
Those now being referred to in Acts 1) heard the gospel of their salvation, 2) believed, and therefore, 3) were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. They came alive in Christ and they knew that the words had changed them. In their excitement, they clung to Paul, certainly with the greatest of joy.
 
One could argue that the gospel, as stated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4, was not properly presented. But this is not so –
 
Christ died for our sins. Paul has noted that God overlooked the times of ignorance. The meaning is that what was done was wrong in God’s eyes, it was sin, even if that was not responded to by God in judgment. Paul noted that the people needed to repent of this, but he tied that in with Christ’s death. He did not need to explicitly say this because it is inferred in the words, “He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). If Christ was raised from the dead, it meant that He first died. If He died, there was a purpose for that death.
 
Even if Paul did not explicitly state these things, those who listened to him were able to sufficiently deduce from what he was saying that God had made an avenue to reconciliation with Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus. But more, it is possible that Paul explicitly said these things and Luke simply didn’t record every word Paul said, rather focusing on the main lines of thought. It would be an argument from silence to say otherwise.
 
With the belief in Paul’s message confirmed in some of his hearers, it next says, “among whom also.” The reason for this is to show that his words were not limited to those who first asked him to speak, meaning the Epicureans and the Stoics. Though some of them may have believed, at least two are noted by name who were not of them. The first is “Dionysius the Areopagite.”
 
The name is derived from the Greek god of wine-making, orchards and fruit, vegetation, fertility, festivity, insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, and theater, also known as Bacchus by the Romans.
 
Ellicott notes, “As the constitution of the Court of the Areopagus required its members to have filled a high magisterial function, such as that of Archon, and to be above sixty, the convert must have been a man of some note.” Further, the Pulpit Commentary states –
 
“The earliest notice we have of him in ecclesiastical writers is the well-known one of Eusebius, ‘Eccl. Hist.,’3. 4, in which he says, ‘We are told by an ancient writer, Dionysius the pastor of the diocese of Corinth (ob. ), that his namesake Dionysius the Areopagite, of whom St. Luke says in the Acts that he was the first who embraced the faith after St. Paul's discourse in the Areopagus, became the first bishop of the Church in Athens.’”
 
There are false writings ascribed to Dionysius that are known to be later forgeries. Along with him, it next says, “and a woman by name Damaris.” James Strong connects the name to the Greek word damazó, meaning to tame or subdue. Thus, he defines it as maybe meaning Gentle. Abarim defines it as Wife or Domesticated.
 
Chrysostom says in his writings that she was the wife of Dionysius. This is quite possible based on her name. It could be that she took the name Damaris to reveal her new nature under Dionysius. It would be a reasonable explanation for mentioning her by name. Not only was a member of the Areopagus a believer, but his wife also joined him in belief as well.
 
Along with these two, Luke next records, “and others with them.” These could be of the Epicureans and Stoics or others who sat around waiting to have their ears tickled. Rather than the ears being tickled, their hearts were pricked.
 
Life application: In reading the narrative, and then comparing it to Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8, there is no difference in the wording. It simply says, “Then Simon himself also believed.” The Bible does not level any other requirements on salvation than this. When the gospel is presented and someone believes, it means that the person is saved. It is not our job to go around questioning this.
 
However, it is our responsibility to speak to those who are not living in accord with the faith they profess. This is especially so in the church. When someone is obviously violating what is right and proper, it should be addressed. 1 Corinthians 5 speaks of this, giving an obvious example of how to handle the matter.
 
Let us carefully consider the goodness of God who saves us through the simple act of faith, and then may we be willing to maintain uprightness and purity of the faith among those we associate with. This is important for the continued health of the church.
 
Heavenly Father, it is wonderful to know that we are saved by grace through faith in the completed work of Christ. Thank You that we now have restoration with You. May we now do our part in living for You in sincerity and truth all our days. To Your glory. Amen.
 

Acts 17:33

Friday, 23 June 2023
 
So Paul departed from among them. Acts 17:33
 
As simple as the sentence is, the translation is lacking in three ways. It says, “And so, Paul went out from their midst.”
 
The previous verse described the mocking reaction of some of those who heard Paul. Others had said they would hear him again on the matter. With that, it next says, “And so, Paul.”
 
Some texts omit the word “And” and simply say, “So Paul...” The text used by the KJV and the NKJV includes it, even if they failed to translate it. With that, it next says that he “went out.”
 
The word translated as “went out” means exactly that, to go or come in or out. Saying Paul departed, as with the KJV and NKJV, gives an incorrect sense of the matter. How long Paul remained at the Areopagus we don’t know. Another speaker may have taken up the center position while Paul retreated from it. What he did was to go out “from their midst,” not depart entirely.
 
This takes the reader back to verse 22, which said, “Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus.” But he was already at the Areopagus, having arrived there as stated in verse 17:19, “And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus.” Eventually, he was given the opportunity to speak to the forum. At that time, he went into the midst of them.
 
Now, it is not that Paul departed, but that he has moved out of the place of speaking. He could not have departed from among them because the words of the next verse would then make no sense.
 
Life application: Translation matters. This short sentence will not change the world if it is incorrectly translated, but it can give the mind an incorrect sense of the flow of movement of the apostle. Here are some variations in the translation of this verse. See how widely different they are and consider how each will affect your thought about what has taken place –
 
NIV - At that, Paul left the Council.NLT - That ended Paul’s discussion with them,BSB - At that, Paul left the Areopagus.Holman CSB - Then Paul left their presence.CEV - When Paul left the council meeting,GWT - With this response, Paul left the court.Mace New Testament - upon which Paul left the assembly.ESV - So Paul went out from their midst.Catholic Public Domain Version - So Paul departed from their midst.NASB- So Paul went out from among them.NKJV - So Paul departed from among them.Weymouth New Testament - So Paul went away from them.Amplified Bible - So Paul left them.CSB - So Paul left their presence.Worsley New Testament - So Paul went out of the assembly.NET Bible - So Paul left the Areopagus.CG - And so, Paul went out from their midst.Haweis New Testament - And so Paul departed from the midst of them.SLT - And so Paul went forth from the midst of them.A Faithful Version - And so Paul went out from among them.Aramaic Bible in Plain English - And so Paulus went out from among them.ANT - And so Paul departed from among them.GNT - And so Paul left the meeting.New Heart English Bible - Thus Paul went out from among them.Darby - Thus Paul went out of their midst.BLB - Thus Paul went out from their midst.Worrell New Testament - Thus Paul went forth out of their midst.
 
Depending on the source text, the Greek has either seven or eight words in it. Despite that, there are 27 different translations presented here. And this was only from checking 46 Bibles and having provided a personal translation. There are hundreds of versions that were not checked, each with its own nuances and translational preferences. If punctuation and capitalization were considered, there would be even more variations.
 
Some of these are so off that they are simply paraphrases. Others are incorrect in one way or another. And yet, most convey the sense well enough to be understandable. Don’t limit yourself to a single version of the Bible. Rather, read a version in the morning and one at night. When you finish, grab another and start over again. Take time to consider what you read each day and reflect on the precious word that God has given us. In all things, be sure to thank God for it. What a treasure it is!
 
Heavenly Father, You have allowed Your creatures to translate Your word. Quite often, we have done a sloppy job of that. And yet, You have allowed it. Help us to be studious and careful about what we accept until we have really checked things out. Be glorified in our study of Your precious word. Amen.

Acts 17:32

Thursday, 22 June 2023
 
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” Acts 17:32
 
Paul, while speaking to those at Athens, noted that God had appointed a Man through whom He would judge the world in righteousness. To confirm this was so, Paul noted that God had raised this Man from the dead. Having said that, Luke next records, “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead.”
 
There is no article before either resurrection or dead. Therefore, one must infer what is the best way of taking this –
 
The resurrection of the dead
A resurrection of the dead
The resurrection of a dead
A resurrection of a dead
 
As the adjective translated as “dead” is plural, the last two would seem to make no sense. One might assume from the plural that this is a resurrection of more than just the Man Paul has mentioned. And yet, Paul has not spoken of any resurrection beyond that of Jesus. Therefore, the plural may be a general way of expressing any resurrection at all.
 
Most translations go with the first, “the resurrection of the dead.” Several translations say, “a resurrection of the dead.” Only the Weymouth with a bit of a paraphrase for clarity says, “a resurrection of dead men.” Despite being a lone voice, this seems to be the intent. It is the thought of any resurrection at all that suddenly brings about a change.
 
Since verse 17:22, Paul’s words were going along without interruption, but now it says that “some mocked.” Rather, the verb is imperfect. More correctly, it says, “some began to mock.” In other words, it was at this moment that their attentive ears turned to interruptive jests, which is just what the Greek word implies.
 
One can see them raising their hands and casting them forward in a dismissive manner and shouting out, “Yeah, right.” If they had tomatoes, they would be tossing them at this point. This would have been most laughable to the Epicureans. In verse 17:18, Albert Barnes was cited noting that, “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.”
 
Because of their presuppositions about such things, it would be especially incredible for them to accept the words of Paul. However, Luke continues, saying, “while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’”
 
The thinking of the Stoics was not especially opposed to Paul’s line of reasoning, although it was considerably different from what the gospel presents. In Acts 17:18, Barnes noted that they “prided themselves on their own righteousness.” As this is so, they may have been at least sympathetic to Paul’s words because he had just said in the previous verse that God “has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness.”
 
One does not need to pride himself in his own righteousness if there is no judgment for righteousness. Rather, if this life is all there is, then righteousness is a rather unimportant trait to pursue. Therefore, it is likely that the Stoics would at least be willing to consider the matter further.
 
Having said that, the logic of Paul’s argument was such that it could have touched anyone in a positive manner. His words were precise and carefully presented. Anyone willing to set aside what they think they already knew, soberly considering if what he said was possible, could be positively influenced by his words.
 
Those who were at least willing to entertain the possibility of a resurrection from the dead would also be willing to hear him again when the mockers had quieted down and departed for lunch.
 
Life application: Quite often when talking to others about God’s judgment or some other major doctrine that personally affects people, you will hear something like, “Well, I don’t believe that” or “I don’t think God would do that.” Without being argumentative or flippant, a good response to that is, “If it is true, then what we think doesn’t matter.”
 
God is God. He is sovereign over all things. He has the absolute right to judge His people and to dispense with His creation as He sees fit. People may mock the resurrection as the definitive proof of God’s impending judgment, but if it is true, their jeers will not change a thing. Paul writes about exactly this attitude in 1 Corinthians –
 
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 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 1:18-25
 
The cross is a sign that God is serious about judgment. The resurrection proves that judgment has either been meted out in those to whom it applies or that it lies ahead for those to whom it does not apply.
 
The gospel says that those who believe are imputed God’s righteousness and they are no longer the objects of His wrath. Those who do not believe remain under the sentence of condemnation. Therefore, if the resurrection is true, all the mocking and disbelief in the world will not change a thing. Use reason and logic with people as you talk to them. In the end, it doesn’t matter what we think. All that matters is what is true. People need to research the matter of the resurrection. It is the dividing line by which all humanity will be judged.
 
Lord God, You have done everything necessary to secure our salvation and restore us to You. May we never waffle on our presentation of the gospel. Rather, may we be bold and speak out the truth of what You have done. Jesus Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again. It was prophesied before it happened, it is testified to by reliable witnesses, and it is documented in Your word after it occurred. May we not fail to get this message out! Amen.

Acts 17:31

Wednesday, 21 June 2023
 
“because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31
 
Paul just finished his words about the nature of God by saying that He “now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Paul now provides the reason for this, saying, “because He has appointed a day.”
 
The verb is not a participle. It simply says, “because He appointed a day.” In understanding the foreknowledge of God, it is known that the future is laid out before Him. The entire timeline of human history is known and events are set to occur at predetermined moments. God knew when the flood of Noah would commence. He knew the day He would part the Red Sea or appear on Mount Sinai before Israel.
 
The day Christ would be crucified was set by God. This is true with all things. There is nothing that God does not know will occur because He knows how all things will turn out. This includes a particular day “on which He will judge the world.”
 
The Greek more closely reads, “in which He is about to judge the world.” The word melló “signifies the very point of acting” (HELPS Word Studies). Understanding this, there are actually various days of judgment, all combined into the singular “day.”
 
There is the judgment of sin (the cross of Jesus) on believers when they believe the gospel. There is the Bema seat of Christ where believers will be judged for rewards and losses. There is the tribulation period where it is said in Revelation that judgment has come upon the world. There is the judgment of the nations where the sheep will be separated from the goats. There is the Great White Throne judgment of Revelation. These and other such judgments have been set by God and they will come about at the pre-appointed time. And this will be done “in righteousness.”
 
There is a set standard by which all things will be judged. That standard is the Lord God Himself. This is seen in Psalm 92:15 –
 
“To declare that the Lord is upright;He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
 
Jesus referred to this in John 7:18 –
 
“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.”
 
Jesus was making a general statement about accusations levied against Him, but He was also proclaiming that His doctrine was not His own, but from God. Thus, the righteousness of the Lord is found in Jesus Christ. Paul, understanding this, next says that God’s righteous judgment will be, “by the Man whom He has ordained.”
 
There is no article before “Man.” The words more appropriately read, “by a Man whom He appointed.” Paul defines the coming judgment as being brought about by a Man. He has not yet spoken directly of Jesus at the Areopagus, but he had spoken of him earlier as noted in verse 17:18. He is now proclaiming what God has done by appointing a Man, meaning the man he had previously spoken of, to accomplish His will.
 
The word translated as “ordained” or “appointed” is horizó. It is where our word “horizon” is derived from. If one thinks of approaching time as a horizon, with each moment, a new horizon is seen. Thus, it speaks of designated limits or boundaries.
 
God has “horizoned” every moment of time and thus all of the scenes and moments of life have been known to Him even before He created. As HELPS Word Studies notes, “This guarantees God works each in conjunction with His eternal purpose.” With this concept stated by Paul, he next turns to the proof that this will come about, saying, “He has given assurance of this.”
 
The noun translated as “assurance” literally means “faith.” But it is a set faith, not the act of faith. Therefore, it should read “an assurance.” God has provided the necessary evidence that what He says is true, reliable, and will come to pass. And that is confirmed by an assurance “to all.”
 
Humanity now has a witness that the God of Israel is the true God and that what He has spoken forth, as is recorded in the Scriptures, is true. As this is so, then all must pay heed. The sign has been given and it is intended that all people must pay heed.
 
This is why Paul, in just the previous verse, said that God overlooked the times of ignorance by all other nations. They did not possess the necessary revelation of God to necessitate His attention in a particular manner. However, with the coming of Jesus that is no longer the case. All men will be held accountable just as Israel was held accountable in the past. The necessary revelation of God has been provided and it now pertains to all people. He has proven this “by raising Him from the dead.”
 
Rather, being an aorist participle, it reads, “having raised Him out of the dead.” It has been accomplished and it is the necessary sign to all people that the judgment of God will come at its pre-appointed time.
 
Jesus said this to Israel –
 
“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:21-23
 
He continues to express this thought again in John 5:24-30. The statement was made and in order for it to be an assurance that can be trusted, God confirmed His words by having raised Jesus out of the dead.
 
Life application: Everything about future history for the world is tied up in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If the resurrection is true, then it is the sure sign and confirmation to the world that what God has said elsewhere in Scripture – both before and after Christ’s coming – is true. If the resurrection is not true, then another path than what Scripture presents will come to pass.
 
As the judgment of the world in righteousness is said to be committed to Jesus Christ, then those who hear this message must decide whether they will accept it or not. But more, as believers have accepted that this message is true, and as it has been provided as the sign to the world of its need of Jesus’ salvation, then it is incumbent on the church to get this word out. Without Jesus, only condemnation will result. The sign has been given. It is the assurance to the world that God’s righteous judgment awaits.
 
Lord God, may we turn our hearts once again to our need to share with others the message of hope and redemption that is found in Jesus Christ. Without accepting Your offer of reconciliation through Him, only condemnation lies ahead. May our hearts be softened to the plight of the world and may they be ready to share the gospel with all before that day comes. Amen.

Acts 17:30

Tuesday, 20 June 2023
 
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, Acts 17:30
 
A closer translation would be, “Therefore, indeed, having overlooked these times of ignorance, God now commands all men everywhere to repent.”
 
Paul has been speaking about the nature of God, contrasting what He is like to what man may suppose. In the previous verse, Paul noted that He is not like gold, or silver, or stone that can be shaped by art and man’s devising. Now, he takes this line of thought and begins to redirect it toward what God expects, saying, “Therefore, indeed.”
 
In the previous verse, Paul said, “therefore.” He now states it again, stressing it to ensure the thought is offset in the minds of his audience –
 
“For we are also His offspring.”
“Therefore, since we are the offspring of God...”
 
“...we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.”
 “Therefore, indeed, having overlooked these times of ignorance...”
 
Paul is shaping his argument to lead to a conclusion. Before he gets there, he is ensuring that those listening will carefully process what leads up to it. Understanding this, he continues, saying, “having overlooked.”
 
It is a word found only here in Scripture, hupereidon. It essentially means to take no notice of or to disregard. Vincent’s Word Studies says, “to suffer to pass unnoticed.” This does not mean that it is either condoned or accepted. But God has allowed man to do what he has done without telling them otherwise that what they are doing offends him.
 
Unfortunately, some older translations say, “God winked at.” Depending on how one takes the translation, that can mean a variety of things not intended by the apostle. For example, the KJV used the word “wink” five more times and they are all with a negative connotation that has nothing to do with what Paul is saying here.
 
Paul is saying that God has simply not paid attention in a particular manner to what the nations were doing. While Israel was given the law and explicitly told to not conduct themselves in such a manner, punishing them when they did not obey, God allowed the nations to do what they willed without any warning of the consequences. Thus, without a law to direct the nations, Paul calls them “these times of ignorance.”
 
The article and noun are both plurals, “these times.” In the Bible, there are various dispensations that God has used to work out His redemptive plans. While the nations were doing as they saw fit without any particular direction from God, He had called and made a covenant with Abraham.
 
From there, He chose a particular line of Abraham’s descendants to continue His redemptive intentions. This led to Israel and eventually the time of the law. The law was given for a fixed and particular set of purposes leading to the coming of the Messiah. In His coming, He fulfilled the law that was given to Israel alone.
 
With that, the law was set aside and a New Covenant was introduced. This New Covenant was with Israel and the House of Judah, but – unlike the law – it was not limited to them. Rather, it is inclusive of all peoples, allowing them to come into the commonwealth of Israel. Because of this, Paul next says, “God now commands all men everywhere.”
 
What God is now doing is no longer limited to the nation of Israel and the Jewish people, nor is it limited to the land of Israel or the city of Jerusalem, as if people were responsible to go there to meet with the God of Israel. It is a new direction where anyone at any location can be accepted. However, there is an expectation laid on the people who have carried such incorrect notions about God. That is “to repent.”
 
The Greek word is metanoeó. It signifies to change one’s mind, to think differently, to reconsider. Paul has been speaking about the nature of God. He has noted what God is like and what God is not like. For those who have misunderstood the nature of God, he is telling them that they must change their mind about Him and think differently. Jesus, while responding to the woman at the well in John 4 provides the meaning –
 
“The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.’21 Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.’” John 4:19-24
 
This is what people are to change their minds about. They are no longer to live under incorrect ideas about what God is like and how He should be worshiped. Rather, they are to change their minds and accept this special revelation of Himself that is proclaimed through the New Covenant. Paul will explain in the next verse how the people can be sure that what he says about God is true.
 
Life application: Paul never introduced the idea of sin into his discourse. He has only told the people where their thinking is wrong. Elsewhere, he says –
 
“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19, 20
 
The people of Athens (and by extension the people of the world) had no law from God about idols that could bring about the imputation of sin. Paul states that explicitly in Romans 5:13, saying that “sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Therefore, Paul could not have been telling the people to repent of sin. And, indeed, he was not telling them this. He was telling them to repent (think differently) concerning their faulty ideas about God.
 
Today, people use the word “repent” in a completely incorrect manner. They equate it to the active ending of something, such as sin. “You must repent of (stop doing) XXX in order to be saved.” That is not the gospel. One is saved by grace through faith and that is in believing the gospel which says that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
 
Only after being saved will stopping incorrect behavior have any meaning. Be sure to present the gospel without adding the baggage that is often heaped upon people. To add to the gospel is to present a false gospel.
 
Glorious Lord God, You have done everything necessary for us to be saved. All we need to do is accept that by believing in the full, final, forever, and finished work of Jesus. May we present this to others clearly and without addition so that they understand what they need to do. Faith! You are looking for faith in Your faithless creatures. What more can we add to what Jesus has done? May we never presume to do so. Amen.
 

Acts 17:29

Monday, 19 June 2023
 
“Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Acts 17:29
 
A more literal translation is “Therefore, being the offspring of God, we ought not to think gold, or silver, or stone – an engraving of craft and device of man – the Divine to be like” (CG).
 
Paul just finished the last verse in agreement with a quote from a Greek poet, saying, “For we are also His offspring.” With that, he now continues with, “Therefore.”
 
Saying this confirms that what he just quoted from the poet is true. In essence, “As this is so.” Because it is granted as such, he says, “being the offspring of God.” Paul is initiating a logical conclusion: this, therefore this. Because we are God’s offspring, it is logical that we bear His image.
 
The word translated as offspring is genos. It signifies family, race, nation, kind, etc. Thus, it means that there is an affinity between what is being referred to. Without citing Scripture, he is stating the essence of the Genesis creation account concerning man –
 
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26, 27
 
Paul expects that his hearers would understand. When a cat reproduces another cat is the result. When an elephant bears, another elephant is produced. He has already told his audience that God made man. Thus, when acknowledging that we are His offspring, it doesn’t mean that we are gods, but that we bear a semblance to Him.
 
As this is so, he continues with, “we ought not to think gold, or silver, or stone.” These are inanimate things. They have no life or breath in them. They cannot think, they cannot act, nor can they respond when spoken to. Anything that takes place in their use is because man acts first. That would include “an engraving of craft.”
 
The word translated as “engraving” is first seen here. It signifies a stamp, impress, mark, etc. It is used seven other times, all in Revelation and all referring to the mark of the beast. The word translated as “art” is also first found here. It signifies a skill, art, craft, trade, etc.
 
It should be evident on the surface that when a man of craft engraves something he was the one to make the first move. The thing did not call out for being shaped into an image. But more, what is produced has no qualities of the man apart from a physical image. And because God’s image in man is not the physical image of man, as can be deduced from his words of 17:24, 25, then to assign such qualities to God would be absurd. And more, Paul continues with, “and device of man.”
 
The word translated as “device” means a thought or contemplation. As God cannot be seen, it would be ludicrous to think that man could devise something that could be formed into an object representing Him. Again, in Paul’s mind, he is giving the substance of what Scripture has already revealed –
 
“Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female, 17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth. 19 And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage. ... 23 Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Deuteronomy 4:15-19 & 23, 24
 
Isaiah 44:9-20 gives a brilliant description of the folly of such idolatry and the irrational nature of man who would suppose that producing something in this manner could produce a divine being. Such things are completely opposed to the nature of God. Therefore, no one should consider as such “the Divine to be like.”
 
The word Paul uses is a neuter adjective, not a masculine noun. The word is theios. It is that which manifests the characteristics of the nature of God. HELPS Word Studies says it “ties God's essence to His self-manifestation, permitting all people to know Him by observing His attributes.” As God manifests Himself through creation, we can deduce things about His divine nature from observing the creation. However, we cannot ascribe the divine to what is created.
 
To understand this, think of a watchmaker. We can look at a carefully constructed precision watch that was fashioned by a man and we can tell a lot about the man. However, we cannot turn around and attribute the man’s qualities to the watch. The watch was produced by him and it bears the mark of his intelligence, patience, meticulous nature, etc. But the watch itself possesses none of those things. When we ascribe such things to the creation, we err in our thinking.
 
Life application: Take the time to read Isaiah 44:9-20 and think about how offensive our conduct as humans must be when we do what is recorded there. Imagine what the watchmaker would think if you picked up a watch and started praising it, not him, for its intricate gears and beautifully polished crystal, thanking it for its perfect rhythm and soothing sound as it whirrs in your ears. He would think you had gone absolutely bonkers and he would be offended as well.
 
This is how God looks at man when he does something even more outlandish by ascribing the qualities He alone possesses to carvings of wood, stone, gold, and so forth. Let us be carefully on guard to give God alone the glory for the magnificent things He has done.
 
We should look up to Him as greater than our character (morally, spiritually, intellectually, etc.), rather than down to created things, as if they bore His nature. Israel was rebuked for its false gods because they had the special divine knowledge of God presented to them. Paul probably pitied these pagans because they lacked it, even if they should have known better. In his pity towards them, he admonishes them about what is right. In the verses ahead, he will explain the importance of this to them.
 
Heavenly Father, help us not to have idols in our hearts but to always find our sufficiency and hope in You. May we be careful to always glorify You for who You are and for what You have done. We thank You and praise You for Your marvelous glory as it is revealed to us in so many ways. Praises to You, O God. Amen.

Acts 17:28

Sunday, 18 June 2023
 
“for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Acts 17:28
 
Paul has stated that God has ordained the boundaries of the nations so that people should seek the Lord, and in feeling for Him, He might be found. He said this while noting that He is not far from each of us. He now explains that saying, “for in Him.”
 
The word “in” can have various connotations. One of them is to be inside of something else. It can also mean being the product of, such as “In His act of creating, God displayed infinite wisdom.” Further, it can be used to help define something else. For example, “In seven days, I will finish this job.”
 
Paul is probably saying this in the sense of being the product of, but because of that, it would be inclusive of the thought of being inside of or surrounded by. We are the product of His hand and thus “we live.”
 
The word means exactly that. It is experiencing the gift of life given by God. We are the product of His act of creation, but we are also being sustained by Him, as it says in Colossians 1 and Hebrews 1. For example –
 
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16, 17
 
God created and He sustains. Further, Paul continues, saying, “and move.” The word signifies the act of moving. It is translated as wagging in Matthew 27:39. In Revelation, Jesus tells the church at Ephesus that He will remove their lampstand unless they repent. However, the word also is used figuratively to indicate the arousal of passions. Ellicott seems to rightly argue that this is the intent here.
 
This is the only time Paul uses the word. Its other two uses in Acts are by Luke. One is in the sense of provocation and another refers to stirring up sedition. If the first word, live, refers to the physical existence of man, this one would speak of his emotional nature. Remembering that the purpose of Paul’s words is based on the previous verses where man is to seek after God, this makes complete sense.
 
First, man is created by God and our lives are the product of His hands. Thus, we have a responsibility to search out the One who so fashioned us. Second, our emotions are a part of who we are and they are to be directed to conduct that would support our seeking after Him. Third, Paul continues with, “and have our being.”
 
The words are an unnecessary paraphrase. It is a single word meaning “are.” Therefore, an equivalent idea is “and exist.” Not only do we have life as a product of His hand, but our continued existence, from moment to moment is fully known to Him and dependent on Him. This is reflected in Jesus’ words –
 
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31
 
The existence of the sparrow is known to God, the state of the hair on our heads – which is a part of our existence – is known to God, and the number of our days is known to God –
 
“Since his days are determined,The number of his months is with You;You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass.” Job 14:5
 
Paul’s words indicate the total dependence of man on God. Thus, man should acknowledge that He is reliant on Him and seek Him out. His nearness makes this possible and it is thus man’s duty to perform. With that noted, Paul next goes outside of Scripture to make his point, saying, “as also some of your own poets have said.”
 
When he says, “your own poets,” he is not referring to Athenians specifically, but Greek-speaking Gentiles whose work was known and quoted among the people. By quoting such a poet, it would lead the Athenians to know that he wasn’t just a wandering Jew, but an educated man who knew Greek literature.
 
As for the word “poet,” it is introduced into Scripture here, poiétés. It signifies a doer or a performer. In this case, because Paul will cite poetry, it refers to a doer of poems. As Paul notes poets in the plural, he is indicating that what he will cite is found in more than just one poet. It was a well-known thought used again by another. The poets are Aratus and Cleanthes. Paul cites their words, saying, “For we are also His offspring.”
 
In other words, these Gentile writers understood that man is the product of a greater being. The being they ascribe their life to may not be the God of the Bible, but the premise of being the product of a divine being was understood by them.
 
Aratus was from Cilicia where Paul was from. He lived from 315-240 BC. Cleanthes was from Behram, Turkey, living from 331-232 BC. Concerning this line of poetry, Barnes writes –
 
“This precise expression is found in Aratus (‘Phaenom.,’ v. 5), and in Cleanthus in a hymn to Jupiter. Substantially the same sentiment is found in several other Greek poets. ... Aratus passed much of his time at the court of Antigonus Gonatas, king of Macedonia. His principal work was the ‘Phoenomena,’ which is here quoted, and was so highly esteemed in Greece that many learned men wrote commentaries on it. The sentiment here quoted was directly at variance with the views of the Epicureans; and it is proof of Paul's address and skill, as well as his acquaintance with his auditors and with the Greek poets, that he was able to adduce a sentiment so directly in point, and that had the concurrent testimony of so many of the Greeks themselves. It is one instance among thousands where an acquaintance with profane learning may be of use to a minister of the gospel.”
 
The specific lines of poetry from Aratus state –
 
“From Zeus begin; never let us leaveHis name unloved. With Him, with Zeus, are filledAll paths we tread, and all the marts of men;Filled, too, the sea, and every creek and bay;And all in all things need we help of Zeus,For we too are his offspring.” Aratus from Phenomena
 
Cleanthes’ words are almost identical and are in a hymn to Zeus. Paul’s point is that truth can be found in other religions and philosophies and it can be used for the benefit of evangelizing. However, this does not mean that the religion itself is true.
 
In verse 23 he referred to a Greek altar to show that he was not introducing foreign gods. He does the same here by supporting his knowledge of God with words from Greek writers. They may have been confused about who this God is, but they could not say he was introducing a foreign one. Rather, he is clarifying what was stated by them.
 
Life application: When evangelizing someone of another religion, asking what that person believes is a good way of helping him process what you are telling him. This is because most people really have no idea about their own religion. They do things because that is what they were taught to do.
 
This is no different than evangelizing someone who has been in church his whole life but has never been told the simple gospel. Such people go to church and do stuff. But they have no idea as to why they do what they do. It is just a part of their cultural life and so they continue with it.
 
However, without knowing Jesus, those people cannot have a close and personal relationship with God. Introducing them to what Jesus has done will make this possible. There will no longer be a need to “do” stuff because Jesus has done it all. Be sure to get out and tell people about Jesus – our great Doer!
 
Lord God, thank You that Jesus has done it all! He has accomplished everything necessary to reconcile us to You. Now, all we need to do is to believe. May we use wisdom in how we spend our time and may we get out and tell others about this good news. To Your glory. Amen.