The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 17
Chapter XVII · Vol. IV, pp. 286–289
1 Paul preacheth at Thessalonica, 4 where some believe, and others persecute him. 10 He is sent to Berea, and preacheth there. 13 Being persecuted at Thessalonica, 15 he cometh to Athens, and disputeth, and preacheth the living God to them unknown, 34 whereby many are converted unto Christ.
1 NOW when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to aThessalonica,1 where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2 And Paul, bas his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath-days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
b ch.3.26;9.20;13.5,14,46. Lu.4.16. ver.10,17;ch.14.1;18.4,19;19.8.
3 Openingc and alleging that Christ must needs2 have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I 3preach unto you, is Christ.4
c Lu.24.26,27,44,46. 1 Co.15.3,4. Ga.3.1. Ps.xxii. lx. lxix. lxxii. Is.iv. xl. xlii. xlix. lii. liii. ch.18.28.
2 That the death of Jesus the Messiah was necessary for the fulfilment of prophecy, the realization of types, and the remission of sins, Is.53.7-12. Da.9.26. He.10.1,8-14. Mat.26.28.—C.
3 Or, whom, said he, I preach, ch.15.5.
4 'Is the Christ.' The Greek word has the article, and is consequently not a proper name but a descriptive title. Paul showed to the Jews that Jesus who had been crucified, and who had risen from the dead, was the Christ—the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.—P.
4 Andd some of them believed, and econsorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout 5Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
5 Butg the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a com pany, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason,h and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, iThese that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
i 1 Ki.18.17. ch.16.20;24.5. Lu.23.2,5.
7 Whom Jason hath received: and jthese all do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
10 Andl the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea:6 who coming thither, went into the synagogue of the Jews.
A.D. cir. 55.
l ch.9.25;23.23,24. Jos.2.15,16. ver.14. Mat.10.23.
6 Berea. A large and populous city of Macedonia.—C.
11 These were nmore noble than those in Thessalonica, in that othey received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily; whether those things were so.Cited in WSC 2 · WLC 157, 160 · WCF 20.2, 31.4
12 Thereforep many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
p ch.2.41;4.4;5.14;6.7;9.42;12.24;13.48,50;14.1;18.10;19.17.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, qthey came thither also, and stirred up the people.
q ch.14.2;13.50. Lu.12.51. 1 Th.2.15,16.
14 Andr then immediately the brethren sent away Paul, to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
r See ver.10. Mat.10.23. ch.14.6;18.1.
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens:7 and receiving a commandment sunto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, this spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.8Cited in WLC 108
t 2 Pe.2.8. Ex.32.19. Ps.119.136,158.
8 Or, full of idols.
17 Thereforeu disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them9 that met with him.Cited in WLC 108
18 Then certain vphilosophers of the Epicureans,1 and of the Stoics,2 encountered him.3 And some said, What will this babbler4 say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he xpreached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
v Col.2.8.
1 Who taught that God neither made nor governs the world, and that pleasure is the chief good.
2 Who taught that men ought never to be distressed at any thing.
3 Epicureans—Stoics. Two philosophical sects among the Greeks. The former held that virtue was whatever promoted the happiness of the agent: the Stoics, that it consisted in living agreeably to nature,—systems alike calculated to mislead, unless man were a better judge of what constitutes true and permanent happiness, and unless human nature were cleansed from the selfishness of its desires, and restored to the love and obedience of God.—C.
4 Or, base fellow.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto 5Areopagus,6 saying, May we know what this newy doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
5 Or, Mars'-hill, ver.22.
6 The Areopagus, or 'hill of Mars,' where the supreme court of judicature was held in the open air. Its judges were famous for their wisdom and impartiality, and their decisions are, even till this day, regarded as models of judicial purity. The side of the hill, partly by nature, and partly by art, presents a gently inclined plane of a semicircular form, bounded above by the brow of the hill cut down perpendicularly. In the centre the rock projects into a platform about ten feet square, on which public speakers stood; and from this place, it is probable (ver.22) that Paul spoke.—C.
y Jn.13.34. 1 Jn.2.7,8.
20 For thou bringest zcertain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
z Ho.8.12.
21 (For all the Athenians, and strangers which were there, spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars'-hill,7 and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are atoo superstitious.8Cited in WLC 109
* Superstitious, in modern language, is always applied to an ignorant fear of, or dependence on, invisible powers, whether supreme or subordinate, or some vain inventions for averting their anger or propitiating their favour. There is no reason to imagine that Paul, a consummate orator, would commence his address with a description so calculated to excite prejudice and opposition. It should therefore be translated, 'I perceive that in all things' (your temples, altars, sacrifices, &c.) 'ye are more than others attentive to religious matters.'—A character confirmed both by the most popular writings of the Greeks themselves, as well as by those Christian historians who have examined their national character. See Mitford's Greece, vol. ii. p. 304.—C.
A.M. cir. 4059. A.D. cir. 55.
7 Or, the court of the Areopagites, ver.19.
8 See note * in first column.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld9 your 1devotions,2 I found an altar with this inscription, TO 3THE UNKNOWN GOD.4 Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.Cited in WLC 105, 113
9 Beheld. Rather, 'carefully observed.'—C.
1 Or, gods that ye worship, Ga.4.8. 2 Th.2.4.
2 Devotions. The original includes temples, altars, and services. See ver.24,25.—C.
3 The God of the Jews, Ep.2.12. Ps.147.20. 1 Ti.1.17.
4 That there was such an inscription at Athens is also mentioned by Lucian and Pausanias.—C.
24 Godb that made the world,5 and all things therein, seeing that che is Lord of heaven and earth, ddwelleth not in temples made with hands;Cited in WLC 101 · WCF 2.2, 4.1, 7.1, 21.1 · HC 27, 28, 121
25 Neithere is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he ggiveth to all life, and breath, and all things;Cited in WCF 2.2, 5.1, 7.1, 21.1 · HC 27, 28, 121, 125
26 Andh hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth; and ihath determined the times before appointed,6 and the bounds of their habitation;Cited in WLC 22 · WCF 5.1, 6.3 · HC 27, 28
27 Thatj they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not kfar from every one of us:Cited in HC 27, 28
28 For lin him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own npoets7 have said, For we are also his offspring.Cited in WLC 2, 101 · WCF 5.1 · HC 27, 28
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, owe ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.8Cited in WSC 4 · WLC 105, 109 · HC 96
o Is.40.18. Ro.1.20,23,25. Ps.106.20.
8 The doctrine of creation which Paul here developed with great clearness takes away the foundation from every form of idolatry. It lies also at the basis of all true religion. It gives the Creator a claim upon obedience and worship which none can deny or resist. The principles, therefore, which the apostle here laid down demolished the whole mythological system of Greece.—P.
30 Andp the times of this ignorance God winked at;9 but now qcommandeth all men every where to repent:Cited in WCF 15.3
31 Because rhe hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance1 unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.Cited in WSC 28 · WLC 51, 56 · WCF 8.1, 15.3, 33.1
Notes
Ver. 11. More noble seems to imply both higher in rank (see ver. 5), of better education, principles, and feelings—more rational, more candid, more thoughtful, more generously disposed, because more acquainted with the Scriptures, and more anxious to study them. C.
Reflections.—How justly the Holy Ghost had witnessed that bonds and afflictions awaited the apostle in every city! And it is delightful to see ministers preaching the gospel, regardless of all fatigue, contempt, and persecution, counting nothing too dear for Christ and his cause. It is comely when all the sermon is plainly derived from the oracles of God, and when hearers attentively receive the truth, and examine all they hear by the Scripture. Important is the matter of gospel preaching, even Jesus' person, sufferings, and glory; his dying for our sins, and calling us back from our graves to his last judgment. Powerful is its efficacy in the conversion of multitudes, and even of persons of rank, in places the most wicked. Real converts take delight in owning, holding fellowship with, and caring for the safety and comfort of, faithful ministers; while the offscourings of mankind, and the high pretenders to wisdom, readily unite together against Jesus Christ and his gospel. Unhappy is the place where the mob are both judges and executioners. Very false, but common, is the pretence that Jesus' sole headship over his church interferes with lawful civil authority; and yet many magistrates dread danger chiefly from noted believers.—If ministers be persecuted in one city they may flee to another. But they will everywhere meet with as abounding wickedness, and, in consequence thereof, much contempt and hatred. Yet, the nearer Christ's Word lies to their own hearts, they will the more eagerly seize all opportunities of publishing it. Great prudence is necessary in dealing with self-conceited pretenders to wisdom. Nowhere has the gospel less success than among such. They are often ignorant of the plainest doctrines of nature, of the divine perfections, and of our relation to God as our Maker, Preserver, and Disposer. None are more madly set upon the most senseless idolatry, or more given to waste precious moments in mere trifles. Wonderful is the wisdom of God in permitting them to be so blinded by the god of this world; and great his mercy in calling men to repent, in view of the future judgment, whether they will hear or forbear.