16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens , his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols . 17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present . 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying , "What would this idle babbler wish to say ?" Others e , "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities ,"-because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection . 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus , saying , "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming ? 20 "For you are bringing some strange things to our ears ; so we want to know what these things mean e ." 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new .)
22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said , "Men of Athens , I observe that you are very religious in all respects . 23 "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship , I also found an altar with this inscription , 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD .' Therefore what you worship in ignorance , this I proclaim to you. 24 " The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth , does not dwell in temples made with hands ; 25 nor is He served by human hands , as though He needed anything , since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things ; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth , having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation , 27 that they would seek God , if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though e He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist , as even some of your own poets have said , 'For we also are His children .' 29 "Being then the children of God , we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone , an image formed by the art and thought of man . 30 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance , God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent , 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed , having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead ."
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead , some began to sneer , but others said , "We shall hear you again e concerning this ." 33 So Paul went out of their midst . 34 But some men joined him and believed , among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 17:16-34
Commentary on Acts 17:16-21
(Read Acts 17:16-21)
Athens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulous, than some persons, deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead for it in all companies, as occasion offers. Most of these learned men took no notice of Paul; but some, whose principles were the most directly contrary to Christianity, made remarks upon him. The apostle ever dwelt upon two points, which are indeed the principal doctrines of Christianity, Christ and a future state; Christ our way, and heaven our end. They looked on this as very different from the knowledge for many ages taught and professed at Athens; they desire to know more of it, but only because it was new and strange. They led him to the place where judges sat who inquired into such matters. They asked about Paul's doctrine, not because it was good, but because it was new. Great talkers are always busy-bodies. They spend their time in nothing else, and a very uncomfortable account they have to give of their time who thus spend it. Time is precious, and we are concerned to employ it well, because eternity depends upon it, but much is wasted in unprofitable conversation.
Commentary on Acts 17:22-31
(Read Acts 17:22-31)
Here we have a sermon to heathens, who worshipped false gods, and were without the true God in the world; and to them the scope of the discourse was different from what the apostle preached to the Jews. In the latter case, his business was to lead his hearers by prophecies and miracles to the knowledge of the Redeemer, and faith in him; in the former, it was to lead them, by the common works of providence, to know the Creator, and worship Him. The apostle spoke of an altar he had seen, with the inscription, "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD." This fact is stated by many writers. After multiplying their idols to the utmost, some at Athens thought there was another god of whom they had no knowledge. And are there not many now called Christians, who are zealous in their devotions, yet the great object of their worship is to them an unknown God? Observe what glorious things Paul here says of that God whom he served, and would have them to serve. The Lord had long borne with idolatry, but the times of this ignorance were now ending, and by his servants he now commanded all men every where to repent of their idolatry. Each sect of the learned men would feel themselves powerfully affected by the apostle's discourse, which tended to show the emptiness or falsity of their doctrines.
Commentary on Acts 17:32-34
(Read Acts 17:32-34)
The apostle was treated with more outward civility at Athens than in some other places; but none more despised his doctrine, or treated it with more indifference. Of all subjects, that which deserves the most attention gains the least. But those who scorn, will have to bear the consequences, and the word will never be useless. Some will be found, who cleave to the Lord, and listen to his faithful servants. Considering the judgement to come, and Christ as our Judge, should urge all to repent of sin, and turn to Him. Whatever matter is used, all discourses must lead to Him, and show his authority; our salvation, and resurrection, come from and by Him.