Acts 17:26

Translations

Modern

From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

Traditional

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Literal

And He made out of one man every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having determined the appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,

Latin

…fecitque ex uno omne genus hominum inhabitare super universam faciem terræ, definiens statuta tempora, et terminos habitationis eorum,

Original

Greek

English

From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

Notes

Acts 17:22–31

Paul’s sermon in Athens shows how well he could adapt his preaching of the good news (Romans 11:14; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23; 10:33; compare Acts 16:3; 17:2–3; 21:20–26). His Greek audience did not know the Scriptures or believe in one God like the Jews. However, they had a strong intellectual background. Paul connected with them using an Athenian inscription on an altar TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. He then explained God’s nature as the Creator (17:22–29), followed by God’s purpose as the Redeemer (17:30–31).
As he did in his letters (see 1 Corinthians 15:33; Titus 1:12), Paul also used lines from Greek poets. His sermon has several ideas similar to the Hymn to Zeus by Cleanthes, who lived around 315 to 240 BC. Paul likely quoted Epimenides, who wrote, "In him we live and move and exist" (Epimenides, Cretica, about 600 BC). Paul also quoted Aratus, a Stoic (a follower of Stoicism, a Greek philosophy that valued reason and virtue) from Cilicia, who wrote, "We are his offspring" (Aratus, Phaenomena 5).
By using these familiar sayings, Paul connected with his audience. Then he moved to his main message. He taught that God is one and not like idols made by humans (Acts 17:29). He also warned that God will judge the world through Jesus Christ, whom he raised from the dead.
Even though Paul spoke in ways that related to Greek culture and thought, his message clearly pointed to Christ. He challenged an educated but idol-worshiping audience to respond to the truth.

Acts 17:16–34

In this chapter, we see Paul presented as a model witness for Christ, engaging the thinkers of his day and challenging them with the Christian message. Paul quoted writers his audience would be familiar with and showed the relevance of the gospel by dialoguing with them, critiquing their assumptions, and offering Jesus as a constructive alternative (see Colossians 1:28).

Paul reminded these proud intellectuals that there is a living God to whom all human beings are answerable; that they will be judged by him through Jesus, whom God raised from the dead; and that they should therefore repent and put their faith in Jesus.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) God's Rule and Power Over All Nations Human Confusion and God’s Purpose Natural Revelation Purim Returning to the Lord The Good News Message The Sovereignty of God The Unknown God

Events

Second Missionary Journeyc. AD 46
Paul preaches in Athens

Related verses

Deuteronomy 32:7–8
Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will inform you.
Genesis 3:20
And Adam named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all the living.
Malachi 2:10
Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why then do we break faith with one another so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?
Romans 5:12–19
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.
1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:47
The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
Job 12:23
He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.
Job 14:5
Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed,
Psalm 31:15
My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
Genesis 9:19
These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated.
Daniel 11:35
Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
Daniel 11:27
And the two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time.

Glossary

Areopagus Athens Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) First Letter to the Thessalonians Foreordination God, Being and Attributes of Gospel Jude, Letter of Life Mars’ Hill Nations Pagans Paul the Apostle Revelation Stoicism, Stoics Travel

Topics

Athens: A City of Greece Being Unique Black and White Marriage Blood of all Men the Same Boundaries Cultural Diversity Dating Different Races Dating Other Races Gentiles: Unclassified Sciptures Relating To God: Creator God: Creator of Man God: Sovereign Housing Industriousness Life: from God Man of Every Nation, Made of One Blood Man: Equality of Mars' Hill: A Hill in Athens Mixed Marriages Mixed Race Marriage Mixed Races Multiculturalism Nationalism Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) with Greeks Predestination: General Scriptures Concerning Prejudice and Discrimination Racial Discrimination Racism Religion: Natural Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Segregation Select Readings: Paul on Mars' Hill The Providence of God is Exercised in Determining the Period of Human Life Time: All Events of, Predetermined by God

Acts 17:26

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