Acts 17:29 kjv
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Acts 17:29 nkjv
Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising.
Acts 17:29 niv
"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone?an image made by human design and skill.
Acts 17:29 esv
Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
Acts 17:29 nlt
And since this is true, we shouldn't think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
Acts 17 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 17:29 | Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, | Parentage of Believers |
| John 1:12 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, | Children of God |
| Rom 8:16-17 | The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, | Heirship through the Spirit |
| 1 John 3:1-2 | See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are now children of God; it has not yet appeared what we shall be. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. | Divine Adoption |
| Matt 6:9 | Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. | Lord's Prayer, Father designation |
| Gen 1:26-27 | Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. | Image of God |
| Isa 40:18 | To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness will you compare to him? | God's Incomparability |
| Isa 44:9-20 | Description of idol makers and their folly. | Folly of Idolatry |
| Jer 10:3-10 | God condemns idol worship and likens idols to scarecrows. | Judgment on Idolatry |
| Psa 115:4-8 | The powerlessness of idols made of silver and gold. | Idols are Powerless |
| Acts 14:15 | …we also are men of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them. | Turning from Idols to Living God |
| John 4:24 | God is a Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” | True Worship is Spiritual |
| Col 1:15 | He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. | Christ, Image of God |
| Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his powerful word. | Christ's Divinity and Authority |
| Rom 1:20 | For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine being, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. | God Known Through Creation |
| Acts 17:23 | For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To an Unknown God.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. | Altar to an Unknown God |
| Matt 11:25 | At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; | God Revealed to the Humble |
| Luke 10:21-22 | Likewise God's sovereign power over creation and knowledge. | God's Sovereignty |
| John 8:42 | Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. | Jesus' Divine Origin |
| 1 Cor 6:19-20 | Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. | Body as Temple of God |
Acts 17 verses
Acts 17 29 Meaning
Since we are the offspring of God, we should not think that the divine being is like gold, silver, or stone, shaped by human craft or thought. This verse powerfully asserts humanity's divine origin, refuting idolatry by highlighting that God's essence is incomparable to any material or creation.
Acts 17 29 Context
In Acts chapter 17, Paul is in Athens, a city renowned for its intellectualism, philosophy, and pervasive polytheism. He witnesses the widespread worship of various deities and idols, including an altar inscribed "To an Unknown God." While sharing the gospel in the synagogue and the marketplace, he engages with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. This particular verse (Acts 17:29) is part of Paul's speech on the Areopagus (Mars Hill). He is adapting his message to a sophisticated audience, skillfully using their philosophical presuppositions and even their own inscriptions to point them towards the true God. He emphasizes God's sovereignty over creation and humanity's dependence on Him, setting the stage for his core message about repentance and resurrection.
Acts 17 29 Word Analysis
- "Since" (ἐπεὶ, epei): A conjunction indicating a reason or cause. It connects the premise (our being God's offspring) to the conclusion (we should not mistake God's nature).
- "we are" (ὄντες, ontes): The present participle of εἰμί (eimi), meaning "to be." It emphasizes the ongoing reality and current state of being.
- "the offspring" (γένος, genos): This Greek word can mean offspring, race, kind, or lineage. In this context, it signifies that humanity originates from God, having a fundamental relationship with Him as their Creator and source.
- "of God" (τοῦ θεοῦ, tou theou): The genitive case of "theos" (God), indicating possession or origin.
- "we ought not" (οὐ δεῖ, ou dei): A strong negative prohibition. "Dei" is an impersonal verb meaning "it is necessary" or "one ought." "Ou dei" translates to "it is not necessary," implying that it would be illogical, improper, or foolish to do so.
- "to think" (νομίζειν, nomizein): To hold an opinion, believe, suppose, or consider.
- "that" (ὅτι, hoti): Introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of the thought.
- "the divine being" (ἡ θεότης, he theotes): Refers to the divine essence, nature, or deity itself. It speaks to God's essential character and being, not just His titles or attributes.
- "is like" (εἰκὸς, eikos): Literally means "like," "fitting," or "probable." In this context, it signifies similarity or resemblance in nature or form.
- "gold" (χρυσίου, chrysion): Refers to gold, a precious metal highly valued in ancient times for its incorruptibility and brilliance.
- "or" (ἢ, ē): Connects alternative options.
- "silver" (ἀργυρίου, Argyriou): Refers to silver, another precious metal, also used for currency and art.
- "or" (ἢ, ē): Another alternative connector.
- "stone" (λίθου, lithou): Refers to stone or rock, a natural, unformed, or shaped material.
- "graven" (written: γλυπτοῦ, glyptou): This adjective, meaning "engraved," "carved," or "sculpted," qualifies the preceding nouns, highlighting that the error lies in conceiving God as a created object, either by sculpting or by human artistic design. Though the English translation implies sculpting, the Greek could extend to any crafted form.
Group Analysis:
- "Since we are the offspring of God": This foundational statement draws parallels to philosophical ideas of God as the prime mover or source of all being (Stoic ideas), but Paul grounds it in the biblical truth of creation in God's image. It's a universal claim about humanity's origin.
- "we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, graven": This part is a direct refutation of idolatry. The structure emphasizes the absurdity of equating the Creator with His creations, particularly inanimate, crafted objects. The mention of gold, silver, and stone points to common materials used for idols.
Acts 17 29 Bonus Section
The philosophical backdrop in Athens is crucial. Stoics spoke of a divine reason (Logos) permeating all things, which might seem aligned with Paul's opening, but they often viewed creation itself as divine. Epicureans were materialists who believed gods were uninvolved with humanity. Paul masterfully bridges these ideas by affirming God as the sole Creator and the source of life, and then by critiquing the reductionist views that represented God through idols. His assertion that God is not "graven by art and device" (KJV) directly targets the pervasive statue worship in Athens, like the revered idols at the Acropolis. This shows Paul's strategy of meeting people where they are, using their own cultural touchstones to introduce them to the Gospel, while also boldly confronting their errors. The verse implicitly points to Christ as the true revelation of God (Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3), against whom all idol worship is a profound misrepresentation.
Acts 17 29 Commentary
Paul confronts Athenian paganism by first acknowledging a shared heritage and then correcting a fundamental misunderstanding of God's nature. He uses the concept of lineage from God to argue against anthropomorphic or material representations of the Divine. The Athenians, influenced by various philosophical schools, struggled to reconcile the concept of an immaterial, transcendent God with the physical world. Paul’s statement highlights the infinite qualitative difference between God the Creator and His creation, especially man-made objects. The reference to "graven" imagery implies not only idols of precious metals but any sculpted or fashioned image intended to represent God. True worship recognizes God as Spirit (John 4:24) and in His unique, inimitable essence, not as a creature formed by human hands or imagination. This verse is a cornerstone of biblical monotheism and the inadmissibility of idolatry, as powerfully declared throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Isaiah 40:18).