Acts 14 17

Acts 14:17 kjv

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Acts 14:17 nkjv

Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

Acts 14:17 niv

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

Acts 14:17 esv

Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."

Acts 14:17 nlt

but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts."

Acts 14 verses

Acts 14 17 Meaning

Acts 14:17 highlights God's continuous self-revelation through His benevolent actions in the natural world. Despite humanity's tendency to worship idols, God consistently provides tangible proof of His existence, goodness, and active providence. He demonstrates this through essential life-sustaining gifts like rain and fruitful seasons, which not only provide physical nourishment but also fill hearts with a deep sense of contentment and joy. This verse emphasizes God's consistent witness to Himself through general revelation, inviting people to recognize Him as the ultimate source of all good.

Acts 14 17 Context

Acts chapter 14 describes Paul and Barnabas's missionary work in the Gentile city of Lystra. After Paul miraculously heals a man lame from birth, the people, steeped in their polytheistic beliefs, mistake Paul for Hermes and Barnabas for Zeus and attempt to offer sacrifices to them. This verse (Acts 14:17) is a part of Paul's impassioned speech to deter the Lystrans from worshipping them and to redirect their worship to the one true God, the Creator of heaven and earth. In this particular discourse, Paul appeals to their existing understanding of divine provision, highlighting God's self-attestation through the natural world rather than quoting Jewish scripture, as he would to a Jewish audience. It serves as an example of natural theology, a point of contact for the gospel in a pagan setting, arguing for the reality of the Creator based on His manifest benevolence and consistent ordering of creation.

Acts 14 17 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (καίτοι): A strong adversative conjunction, meaning "and yet," "although," "however." It highlights a contrast: despite humanity's ignorance, idolatry, or misunderstanding of God's nature, God continuously provides witness to Himself. It points to God's enduring character regardless of human recognition.
• He did not leave Himself without witness (οὐκ ἀμάρτυρον αὑτὸν ἀφῆκεν):
  • οὐκ (ouk): A negative particle.
  • ἀμάρτυρον (amartyron): "without witness" or "unattested." It's an adjective formed with the privative 'a-' indicating absence, attached to "martys" (witness).
  • αὑτὸν ἀφῆκεν (auton aphēken): "He left Himself."
  • The double negative emphasizes a strong affirmative: "He certainly did leave Himself with witness." God actively and consistently testifies about His existence and character to all people. This witness is not hidden or rare but is constantly evident in the created order.
• in that He did good (ἀγαθοποιῶν):
  • ἀγαθοποιῶν (agathopoiōn): "doing good," "benefitting," "being benevolent." A present participle indicating continuous action. It emphasizes God's nature as inherently good and His constant acts of kindness and benevolence towards humanity, irrespective of their deserving it. This contrasts sharply with the often capricious or demanding gods of pagan mythology.
• gave us rain from heaven (ὑετοὺς ἀπ᾽ οὐρανοῦ διδούς):
  • ὑετοὺς (hyetous): "rains." Plural, emphasizing recurring, abundant rainfall. In an agrarian society, rain was essential for survival and a clear sign of divine favor or anger, making it a direct indicator of divine power.
  • ἀπ᾽ οὐρανοῦ (ap' ouranou): "from heaven." Clearly specifies the divine source. It undermines any local deity or nature spirit claim over rainfall, asserting God's sole authority.
  • διδούς (didous): "giving," "supplying." Present participle, indicating God's ongoing act of giving.
• and fruitful seasons (καὶ καιροὺς καρποφόρους):
  • καιροὺς (kairous): "seasons," specifically "opportune times" or "appointed times." This implies not just general periods but the correct, cyclical, and life-sustaining timing necessary for agriculture.
  • καρποφόρους (karpophorous): "fruit-bearing," "productive," "fertile." Denotes abundance and sustenance provided by these opportune seasons.
  • This phrase speaks of God's sovereign ordering of creation, ensuring the natural cycles essential for food production, again highlighting His meticulous and providential care.
• filling our hearts (ἐμπιπλῶν καρδίας ἡμῶν):
  • ἐμπιπλῶν (empiplōn): "filling," "satisfying completely," "furnishing abundantly." Present participle, denoting an ongoing action.
  • καρδίας (kardias): "hearts." In biblical thought, the heart refers to the core of a person—their intellect, emotions, will, and conscience.
  • ἡμῶν (hēmōn): "our." Referring to all humanity, or at least the general recipients of God's provision.
  • This points to an inner, subjective experience of God's provision, going beyond mere physical sustenance to psychological and spiritual contentment.
• with food and gladness (τροφῆς καὶ εὐφροσύνης):
  • τροφῆς (trophes): "food," "nourishment," "sustenance." The basic necessity for physical life.
  • εὐφροσύνης (euphrosynēs): "gladness," "joy," "merriment," "cheerfulness." This isn't just a fleeting happiness but a deeper satisfaction and delight. It signifies that God's provision is not merely utilitarian; it also brings joy and contentment, distinguishing it from a bare minimum for survival.

Acts 14 17 Bonus section

The concept presented in Acts 14:17 is often referred to as "natural theology" or "general revelation." It implies that enough about God can be known through observation of the created order and divine providence to render humanity accountable. This general revelation is not salvific in itself, but it leaves people without excuse (as expanded upon in Rom 1). The patience of God is also implied here; despite human rejection and idolatry, God continues to manifest His kindness, offering an ongoing invitation to repentance and turning towards Him. This acts as a prelude, a showing forth of God's kindness designed to lead humanity towards a deeper understanding of Him, culminating in the Gospel message. It counters fatalistic views of nature and emphasizes an active, personal, benevolent God.

Acts 14 17 Commentary

Acts 14:17 serves as a powerful theological statement about God's general revelation to all humanity, particularly evident in His benevolence and the consistent ordering of creation. Paul, addressing a pagan audience who worshipped gods of nature and fertility, skilfully redirected their attention from mythical deities to the one true God by appealing to what was undeniably visible in their lives: the recurring blessing of rain and bountiful harvests. These are not arbitrary occurrences but gifts from a good, active, and providing God. The verse highlights God's universal witness to Himself, emphasizing that no one is without a basis to acknowledge His existence. His generosity extends beyond physical provision; it fills hearts with gladness, signifying that divine provision brings not only sustenance but also an inner sense of peace and joy. This foundational understanding of God's character through common grace can then pave the way for understanding His special grace in redemption.