Acts 17:29 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:28-29

God's offspring. "For we are also his offspring." The source whence St. Patti derived this quotation is given in the Exegetical portion of this Commentary. It may be well to point out how such a classical quotation would secure the sustained attention of his audience. Dean Plumptre suggestively remarks, "The method of St. Paul's teaching is one from which modern preachers might well learn a lesson. He does not begin by telling men that they have thought too highly of themselves, that they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:29

Being then for forasmuch then as we are, A.V. ; device of man for man ' s device, A.V. Graven by art , etc. In the Greek the substantive χαράγματα , graven images, things engraven, is in apposition with the gold, silver, and stone, and a further description of them. Art, τέχνη , is the manual skill, the device; ἐνθύμησις is the genius and mental power which plans the splendid temple, or exquisite sculpture, or the statue which is to receive the adoration of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 17:29

Forasmuch then - Admitting or assuming this to be true. The argument which follows is drawn from the concessions of their own writers.We ought not to think - It is absurd to suppose. The argument of the apostle is this: “Since we are formed by God; since we are like him, living and intelligent beings; since we are more excellent in our nature than the most precious and ingenious works of art, it is absurd to suppose that the original source of our existence can be like gold, and silver, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 17:29

Acts 17:29. For as much then as we are the offspring of God We, with all the powers and faculties of our rational nature, and since these bear but a very imperfect and distant resemblance of those original, consummate, and infinite glories which shine forth in him; we ought not surely to think A tender expression; especially in the first person plural: that the Godhead is like unto gold and silver. &c., graven by art and man’s device For such things, conveying no idea of mind, ... 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 17:29

Forasmuch . . . are = Being then. Greek. huparcho, as in verses: Acts 24:27 . think = reckon. Greek. nomizo. See note on Acts 14:19 . the Godhead . Greek. to theion. App-98 . graven = an engraving, or sculpture. Greek. charagma. Only here and eight times in Rev. of the mark of the beast. Compare charakter. Hebrews 1:3 . by = of. art . Greek. techne. Only here, Acts 18:3 .Revelation 18:22 . device = thought. Greek. enthurnesis. Only here, Matthew 9:4 ; Matthew 12:25 .Hebrews 4:12 .... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 17:29

Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man.This struck squarely at the idols of Athens, making the whole proposition that an idol, in any sense whatever, could by any degree, even the least, represent deity or even suggest it, much less "remind one" of the Lord, a fallacy. "The spirit of Christianity and the spirit of figurative art are opposed, because art cannot free itself from sensuous... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 17:29

Acts 17:29. We ought not to think, &c.— For the observations proposed on this verse, and referred to chap. Acts 14:15. See the Inferences at the end of this chapter. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 17:29

29. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think—The courtesy of this language is worthy of notice. that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device—("graven by the art or device of man"). One can hardly doubt that the apostle would here point to those matchless monuments of the plastic art, in gold and silver and costliest stone, which lay so profusely beneath and around him. The more intelligent pagan Greeks no more pretended that... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 17:16-34

Ministry in Athens 17:16-34This section of Luke’s narrative contains three parts: the experiences of the missionaries that resulted in Paul preaching to the pagan Greeks there, the sermon itself, and the results of the sermon. read more