Acts 17:30

The idea of people’s ignorance is carefully discussed both in the Old Testament law (Leviticus 4:2, 22, 27; 5:15, 17; Numbers 15:25, 27). It is also present in the New Testament (Ephesians 4:18; 1 Peter 1:14; 2:15; 2 Peter 3:5, 8). Paul was especially eager to correct ignorance (see Romans 10:13–15; 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1; 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13). The message of the gospel overcomes ignorance and calls all people to repent "and be baptized … and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (see Acts 2:38).

• 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.

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.