Act 17:22-31 | PNT | STEP | Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill . In the Areopagus. Let the reader keep in mind that this address was spoken in the literary capital of the ancient world, the most cultured city of the earth to which every Roman who sought a finished education resorted to complete his studies, the home of philosophers, orators, sculptors, painters and poets, and the great university where many thousands of strangers were gathered for study. This ancient city of so glorious history is the modern capital of Greece, and has about 100,000 inhabitants. [Ye] men of Athens . The introduction of Paul has always been regarded as a masterpiece of skill. He does not say, In all things ye are too superstitious , but that "ye are very religious" (Revised Version), or ye are "more religious than others". His remark is a compliment, and he confirms it by a statement that he had found an altar "to the unknown God" ( ).

Acts 17:22-31

Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill. In the Areopagus. Let the reader keep in mind that this address was spoken in the literary capital of the ancient world, the most cultured city of the earth to which every Roman who sought a finished education resorted to complete his studies, the home of philosophers, orators, sculptors, painters and poets, and the great university where many thousands of strangers were gathered for study. This ancient city of so glorious history is the modern capital of Greece, and has about 100,000 inhabitants. [Ye] men of Athens. The introduction of Paul has always been regarded as a masterpiece of skill. He does not say,

In all things ye are too superstitious, but that "ye are very religious" (Revised Version), or ye are "more religious than others". His remark is a compliment, and he confirms it by a statement that he had found an altar "to the unknown God" (Ac 17:23). THE UNKNOWN GOD. Besides thousands of altars and statues of deities whom they named, this altar was dedicated to the "Unknown", as if to some deity whose presence they felt, but whom they did not comprehend. This Unknown, he announces,

I declare to you. Ancient writers speak of altars at Athens to the unknown God, or gods. Such an introduction was well calculated to fix the attention of his critical audience. God that made the world. He now declares the attributes of that unknown God: (1) The God that made the world; (2) Lord of heaven and earth; (3) dwelleth not in temples; (4) not worshiped by human hands; (5) giveth life to all that lives; (6) made of one blood all nations; (7) appointed that men should seek the Lord; (8) we are his offspring; (9) hence, the Godhead is not like any idol made by human hands. It dishonors so glorious a being to liken him to man's device. Then comes the application. The times before appointed. Athens had had her day. She was once the mistress of the seas. The same fact is true of every nation. Certain also of your own poets. Aratus, who wrote about 200 years before. Also Cleanthes, in his Hymn to Jupiter. The times of this ignorance. The times when there was no revelation in to those in darkness.

God winked at. "God overlooked" (Revised Version).

Now commandeth. The gospel is world embracing. (1) All men, (2) everywhere, are command to repent. Because he hath appointed a day. This call to repentance is urged because God "hath appointed a day", the day of coming judgment, when the world will be judged through Christ. Of this the resurrection of Christ is an assurance.

Raised him from the dead. If Jesus was raised, all men will be raised; hence, the assurance of a general judgment after death.