Act 17:26-29 | KJV | STEP | 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 ;

(KJV)

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;

(NASB2020)

and ^aHe made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having ^bdetermined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,

(NET2full)

From one man ^{▼▼sn The one man refers to Adam (the word “man” is understood).} he made every nation of the human race ^{▼▼tn Or “mankind.” BDAG 276 s.v. ἔθνος 1 has “every nation of humankind Ac 17:26.”} to inhabit the entire earth, ^{▼▼tn Grk “to live over all the face of the earth.”} determining their set times ^{▼▼tn BDAG 884-85 s.v. προστάσσω has “(οἱ) προστεταγμένοι καιροί (the) fixed times Ac 17:26” here, but since the following phrase is also translated “fixed limits,” this would seem redundant in English, so the word “set” has been used instead.} and the fixed limits of the places where they would live, ^{▼▼tn Grk “the boundaries of their habitation.” L&N 80.5 has “fixed limits of the places where they would live” for this phrase.}

Acts 17: 27

(KJV)

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

(NASB2020)

that they would seek God, if perhaps they might feel around for Him and find Him, ^hthough He is not far from each one of us;

(NET2full)

so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around ^{▼▼tn See BDAG 1097-98 s.v. ψηλαφάω, which lists “touch, handle” and “to feel around for, grope for” as possible meanings.} for him and find him, ^{▼▼sn Perhaps grope around for him and find him. The pagans’ struggle to know God is the point here. Conscience alone is not good enough.} though he is ^{▼▼tn The participle ὑπάρχοντα (huparchonta) has been translated as a concessive adverbial participle.} not far from each one of us.

Acts 17: 28

(KJV)

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

(NASB2020)

for ^lin Him we live and move and ^{▼▼Lit are}exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His descendants.’

(NET2full)

For in him we live and move about ^{▼▼tn According to L&N 15.1, “A strictly literal translation of κινέω in Ac 17:28 might imply merely moving from one place to another. The meaning, however, is generalized movement and activity; therefore, it may be possible to translate κινούμεθα as ‘we come and go’ or ‘we move about’ or even ‘we do what we do.’”} and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ ^{▼▼sn This quotation is from Aratus (ca. 310-245 b.c.), Phaenomena 5. Paul asserted a general relationship and accountability to God for all humanity.}

Acts 17: 29

(KJV)

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

(NASB2020)

Therefore, since we are the descendants of God, we ^pought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and thought.

(NET2full)

So since we are God’s offspring, we should not think the deity ^{▼▼tn Or “the divine being.” BDAG 446 s.v. θεῖος 1.b has “divine being, divinity” here.} is like gold or silver or stone, an image ^{▼▼tn Or “a likeness.” Again idolatry is directly attacked as an affront to God and a devaluation of him.} made by human ^{▼▼tn Grk “by the skill and imagination of man,” but ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou) has been translated as an attributive genitive.} skill ^{▼▼tn Or “craftsmanship” (cf. BDAG 1001 s.v. τέχνη).} and imagination. ^{▼▼tn Or “thought.” BDAG 336 s.v. ἐνθύμησις has “thought, reflection, idea” as the category of meaning here, but in terms of creativity (as in the context) the imaginative faculty is in view.}

Acts 17: 26

Acts 17: 27

Acts 17: 28

Acts 17: 29