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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:23-32

The gospel's kindly encounter with novel foes. The opportunity now presented to Paul he must at once have recognized to be one of the grandest and most critical of his career. He was for a while separated from his two loved companions, and was permitted to face his work alone in the long-time metropolis of the world's learning, grace, and art. We are perhaps to understand that Paul somewhat sensitively felt his position to be one of a special kind of responsibility. It was certainly none... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:24

The God for God, A.V. (surely a change for the worse); he being Lord for seeing that he is Lord, A.V. Made with hands ( χειροποιήτοις ) ; see the same phrase in Mark 14:5 , Mark 14:8 ; Acts 7:48 ; Hebrews 9:11 . St. Paul applies it, too, to the circumcision made with the knife, as distinguished from that wrought by the Holy Spirit ( Ephesians 3:11 ). It is frequent in the LXX . It is a striking instance of St. Paul's unflinching boldness and fidelity to the truth,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 17:22

Then Paul - This commences Paul’s explanation of the doctrines which he had stated. It is evident that Luke has recorded but a mere summary or outline of the discourse; but it is such as to enable us to see clearly his course of thought, and the manner in which he met the two principal sects of their philosophers.In the midst of Mars’ hill - Greek: Areopagus. This should have been retained in the translation.Ye men of Athens - This language was perfectly respectful, notwithstanding his heart... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 17:23

For as I passed by - Greek: “For I, coming through, and seeing, etc.”And beheld - Diligently contemplated; attentively considered ἀναθεωρῶν anatheōrōn. The worship of an idolatrous people will be an object of intense and painful interest to a Christian.Your devotions - τὰ σεβάσματα ta sebasmata. Our word devotions refers to the “act of worship” - to prayers, praises, etc. The Greek word used here means properly any sacred thing; any object which is worshipped, or which is connected with... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 17:24

God that made the world - The main object of this discourse of Paul is to convince them of the folly of idolatry Acts 17:29, and thus to lead them to repentance. For this purpose he commences with a statement of the true doctrine respecting God as the Creator of all things. We may observe here:(1) That he speaks here of God as the Creator of the world, thus opposing indirectly their opinions that there were many gods.(2) He speaks of him as the Creator of the world, and thus opposes the opinion... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 17:22

Acts 17:22. Then Paul stood (Greek, σταθεις , standing, or being placed, rather, probably on some eminence) in the midst of Mars hill An ample theatre! said, Ye men of Athens Giving them a lecture of natural divinity, with admirable wisdom, acuteness, fulness, and courtesy. They inquire after new things: Paul, in his divinely-philosophical discourse, begins with the first, and goes on to the last things, both which were new things to them. He points out the origin and the end of all... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 17:23

Acts 17:23. As I passed by Or, passed along the streets of your city; and beheld your devotions Greek, τα σεβασματα υμων , the objects of your worship, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD Because Paul here tells the Athenians, that the true God was he whom they ignorantly worshipped under this title, some learned men have supposed that the altar he speaks of was raised to the God of the Jews; concerning whose power, in the destruction of the Egyptians and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 17:24-26

Acts 17:24-26. God that made the world Thus is demonstrated, even to reason, the one, true, good God; absolutely different from the creatures, from every part of the visible creation. Seeing he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands God hath no need of temples to dwell in, seeing he hath made the world, and is the Lord, or possessor, of the universe. Ye, therefore, greatly err in thinking, that by erecting magnificent temples and images, and by consecrating... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

Paul in Athens (17:16-34)Athens was in the province of Achaia, the southern part of present-day Greece. It was the chief centre of learning in the Roman Empire, a place where philosophy, religion and politics were taught and discussed freely. When some local philosophers heard Paul preaching in the public places of the city, they invited him to give an account of his religion to the council of philosophers known as the Areopagus. This was an ancient council that exercised control over those who... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 17:22

Mars' hill . See Acts 17:19 . Ye men of Athens . Greek. andres Aihenaioi. See note on Acts 1:11 . perceive . Same as "saw", Acts 17:16 . in = according to. Greek. kata. App-104 . too superstitious = more religiously disposed than others. Greek. deisidaimonesteros, comparative of deisidaimon, compound of deido (to fear) and daimon. Only here. The noun occurs in Acts 25:19 . The Authorized Version rendering is too rude, and Paul had too much tact to begin by offending his audience.... read more

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