Acts 17:30-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

Paul at Athens. Consider— I. The connection of the whole with THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY . The Greek mind evangelized. The function of Greek thought in the development of doctrine. The contrast between the gospel and philosophy. The step towards the conquest of the world. II. The illustration of THE APOSTOLIC METHOD . Adaptation of the truth to every class of mind. Difference of the preaching when the foundation of the Jewish Scriptures was for the time forsaken.... read more

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 17:30

The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked for and the times of this ignorance God winked at, A.V.; he commandeth for commandeth, A.V.; men for all men, A.V.; that they should all everywhere repent for everywhere to repent, A.V. and T.R. The times of ignorance ; perhaps with reference to Acts 17:23 , and also implying that all the idolatry, of which he had spoken in Acts 17:29 , arose from ignorance. God overlooked ; or, as it is idiomatically expressed in the A.V., ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:30

God revealed: his attitude toward the sinner. It is worth while to note, preliminarily, that Paul speaks of the pre-Christian ages as "times of ignorance." We know that these included much human learning. The words of the apostle were uttered on that spot where there was everything to call this to remembrance. But he would have said, and would have had us consider also, that any age in which God remained unknown was an age of ignorance. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." No... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:31

Inasmuch as for because, A.V. and T.R.; the man for that man, A.V. He hath appointed a day . Hitherto the Athenians seem to have listened with interest while St. Paul was, with consummate skill, leading them onwards from the doctrines of natural religion, and while he was laying down speculative truths. But now they are brought to a stand. They might no longer go on asking, τι καινόν ; A day fixed by God, they were told, was at hand, in which God would judge the world in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:31

God revealed: his holy purpose. We ask not only—Who or what is he? what is his character and spirit? what is his present attitude towards us? we ask also—What is his purpose concerning us? That one infinite God, "in whom we live, and move, and have our being," who holds our destiny in his sovereign hand,—is it his intention that the lamp of his lighting, the human spirit ( Proverbs 20:27 ), shall go out utterly at death, or that that spirit shall shine in another sphere? And if so,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 17:30

And the times of this ignorance - The long period when people were ignorant of the true God, and when they worshipped stocks and stones. Paul here refers to the times preceding the gospel.God winked at - ὑπεριδὼν huperidōn. Overlooked; connived at; did not come forth to punish. In Acts 14:16 it is expressed thus: “Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways” The sense is, he passed over those times without punishing them, as if he did not see them. For wise purposes he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 17:31

Because he hath appointed a day - This is given as a reason why God commands people to repent. They must be judged; and if they are not penitent and pardoned, they must be condemned. See the notes on Romans 2:16.Judge the world - The whole world - Jews and Gentiles.In righteousness - According to the principles of strict justice.Whom he hath ordained - Or whom he has constituted or appointed as judge. See the Acts 10:42 notes; John 5:25 notes.Hath given assurance - Has afforded evidence of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 17:30-31

Acts 17:30-31. And the times of this ignorance What! Does he object ignorance to the learned and knowing Athenians? Yes, and they acknowledged it by this very altar; God winked at Greek, υπεριδων , having overlooked, bearing with it, as if he did not take notice of it: that is, in his great long-suffering, he suffered mankind to go on in their course of ignorance and idolatry, without interrupting them in it, by sending express messages to them, by divinely-commissioned instructers, as... 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

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