Acts 17 22

Acts 17:22 kjv

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

Acts 17:22 nkjv

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;

Acts 17:22 niv

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.

Acts 17:22 esv

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.

Acts 17:22 nlt

So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: "Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way,

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 22 Meaning

Paul stands before the Areopagus, a prominent council in Athens, presenting the unknown God worshipped by the Athenians. This verse marks the beginning of his evangelistic address to a Gentile audience, showcasing a bridge-building approach rooted in understanding their existing religious framework. He identifies himself not as a foreign god-maker, but as a messenger from the true Creator God.

Acts 17 22 Context

The immediate context is Paul's preaching in Athens, a city known for its philosophical discourse and religious idolatry. Having been grieved by the idols in the city, Paul engaged in debate with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in the marketplace and on the Areopagus. This verse is the pivotal moment where Paul directly addresses the philosophers, leveraging their inscribed altar "to an unknown god" as a point of access for the gospel. The chapter context shows Paul's methodical evangelism, first in the synagogue and then among the philosophers, demonstrating adaptability to his audience. Historically, Athens was a center of intellectual and religious life in the Roman Empire, making it a crucial location for the early spread of Christianity.

Acts 17 22 Word Analysis

• Anēr (ἀνήρ): Man, husband. Here used as "Men of Athens." Paul addresses them respectfully and directly.

• Athenaiōn (Ἀθηναίων): Of Athens. Identifies his audience.

• Peripatiomen (περιπατῶμεν): We walk, live. Refers to the way of life, behavior, and conduct.

• Autonomou (αὐτόνομου): Independent, autonomous. Indicates their self-governing and independent way of life and worship practices.

• Daeimōnion (δαίμονιον): A divine being, spirit, demon. In this context, it refers to a divine power or deity, potentially capturing the polytheistic understanding of the Athenians.

• Elegente (ἐλέγετε): You worship, you honor. Refers to their religious reverence and cultic practices.

• Epilygraston (ἐπιγράστο[ν]): Inscribed, written upon. Refers to the inscription on the altar.

• Mantzanamenen (μάνθανεν): To learn, to know, to perceive. Paul's focus shifts from knowing 'of' God to knowing Him.

• Agnostō (ἄγνωστῳ): Unknown, not known. This is the key term that Paul uses to introduce the true God.

• "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious (deisidaimonestĕrous) in all things." Paul opens by acknowledging their strong inclination towards worship, using a word that could carry a slightly nuanced meaning beyond mere piety, possibly hinting at an excess of superstitious reverence.

• "As I was passing through and observing your objects of worship, I found even an altar with this inscription: 'To an Unknown God'." He builds upon this observation, directly referencing a specific religious artifact that signifies their openness to, yet ignorance of, the true divine.

• "Therefore what you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you." This is a crucial transitional phrase, pivoting from their known "unknown" to the revelation of the true God. Paul claims the inscription as a launching point for revealing God, not as an indictment.

Acts 17 22 Bonus Section

This sermon on Mars' Hill (Acts 17) is a seminal example of contextualized evangelism. Paul doesn't condemn their cultural practices outright but uses them as a starting point for proclaiming the Gospel. The concept of an "unknown God" resonates with humanity's innate sense of something beyond the material and tangible, a longing for connection with the divine. This illustrates how God’s truth can be foreshadowed in the sincere but incomplete searches of even those in pagan cultures. Paul's emphasis on creation and God’s sovereignty serves as the foundation before he moves to the resurrection of Christ, the particular revelation that often proves offensive to philosophical minds.

Acts 17 22 Commentary

Paul masterfully begins his address by demonstrating cultural sensitivity and theological insight. He affirms their religious inclination, using it as a bridge to introduce the Creator God they unknowingly worship. This approach highlights the universality of God's revelation, evident even in the accidental discoveries of the unreached. Paul reframes their "unknown God" not as a lesser deity, but as the supreme, sovereign Creator, thereby repositioning their existing worship towards its true object.