Acts 17:31

The true knowledge of God leads to (encourages) repentance because it contains information about coming judgment. Paul concluded his speech by clarifying His hearers’ responsibility.

"He has presented God as the Creator in His past work. He shows God as the Redeemer in His present work. Now he shows God as the Judge in His future work." [Note: McGee, 4:591.]

Wiersbe outlined Paul’s speech as presenting the greatness of God: He is Creator (Acts 17:24); the goodness of God: He is Provider (Acts 17:25); the government of God: He is Ruler (Acts 17:26-29); and the grace of God: He is Savior (Acts 17:30-34). [Note: Wiersbe, 1:473.]

Note that Paul referred to sin (Acts 17:29), righteousness (Acts 17:31), and judgment (Acts 17:31; cf. John 16:5-11; Romans 1-3). The resurrected Jesus is God’s agent of judgment (cf. Acts 7:13; Psalms 96:13; John 5:22; John 5:27), the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13). Paul stressed that Jesus was a man, rather than an idol or a mythological character such as the Greek gods, whom the true God has appointed as His agent of judgment.

The proof of Jesus’ qualification to judge humanity is His resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection vindicated His claims about Himself (e.g., His claim to be the Judge of all humankind, John 5:22; John 5:25-29).