Act 17:30-31 | KingComments | STEP | Paul comes to his actual message. The ignorance which they have admitted with the image of the unknown god is not merely a gap in their knowledge, but reflects their total ignorance. This ignorance extends over all the times that have passed. Paul puts an end to this ignorance. God is a God of patience Who has allowed all those times to pass without intervening. He still does not intervene, but in His grace He lets the gospel be proclaimed also now, in this day and age. It means that people must repent, that is: totally change their minds. They think they have everything under control, but they have to realize that they are completely wrong. This is a sign of weakness for those who have always done everything in their own strength, from faith in themselves. It is also a proof of self-conquest when one bows down to the command of God. It is about obedience to faith ( ). God commands all people, without exception, good and evil, wherever they are, including in Athens, to repent. He also places a limit on preaching. God says to man that he must repent in view of a day fixed by Him that will come, which is the day of judgment. God’s patience will come to an end and He will make Himself known as the God of righteous judgment. Righteousness is established by judgment ( ). Before there can be peace, both on earth and in the heart of a human being, righteousness must first have taken place in view of all that deserves judgment. This judgment God will bring on the world through a Man. Paul does not mention the name of that Man, but merely gives a characteristic. This characteristic is of decisive importance and establishes beyond doubt that the judgment will come. That characteristic of this Man is that He is resurrected by God. Again Paul speaks of the resurrection. The Man Who was resurrected by God has a resurrection body. Also in the resurrection He is Man. And precisely because He is the Son of Man, He will exercise judgment ( ). God has given the proof that this Man will exercise judgment by raising Him from the dead.

‏ Acts 17:30-31

Call to Repentance

Paul comes to his actual message. The ignorance which they have admitted with the image of the unknown god is not merely a gap in their knowledge, but reflects their total ignorance. This ignorance extends over all the times that have passed. Paul puts an end to this ignorance. God is a God of patience Who has allowed all those times to pass without intervening. He still does not intervene, but in His grace He lets the gospel be proclaimed also now, in this day and age.

It means that people must repent, that is: totally change their minds. They think they have everything under control, but they have to realize that they are completely wrong. This is a sign of weakness for those who have always done everything in their own strength, from faith in themselves. It is also a proof of self-conquest when one bows down to the command of God. It is about obedience to faith (Rom 1:5).

God commands all people, without exception, good and evil, wherever they are, including in Athens, to repent. He also places a limit on preaching. God says to man that he must repent in view of a day fixed by Him that will come, which is the day of judgment. God’s patience will come to an end and He will make Himself known as the God of righteous judgment. Righteousness is established by judgment (Isa 26:9b). Before there can be peace, both on earth and in the heart of a human being, righteousness must first have taken place in view of all that deserves judgment.

This judgment God will bring on the world through a Man. Paul does not mention the name of that Man, but merely gives a characteristic. This characteristic is of decisive importance and establishes beyond doubt that the judgment will come. That characteristic of this Man is that He is resurrected by God. Again Paul speaks of the resurrection. The Man Who was resurrected by God has a resurrection body. Also in the resurrection He is Man. And precisely because He is the Son of Man, He will exercise judgment (Jn 5:27). God has given the proof that this Man will exercise judgment by raising Him from the dead.