Acts 17 31

Acts 17:31 kjv

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Acts 17:31 nkjv

because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

Acts 17:31 niv

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead."

Acts 17:31 esv

because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

Acts 17:31 nlt

For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 31 Meaning

This verse declares God's judgment through His Son, Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the assurance and certainty of this judgment because God has appointed a specific day for it. This appointed time guarantees that judgment is not arbitrary but divinely ordained and scheduled. The resurrected Christ is presented as the ultimate authority and judge, confirmed by His resurrection from the dead.

Acts 17 31 Context

This verse is the concluding statement of Paul’s sermon to the Athenians in the city of Athens, as recorded in Acts 17. Paul, standing on the Areopagus, had addressed a skeptical audience. He skillfully moved from their known religious practices (their altars to unknown gods) to the God of creation and the resurrection of Jesus. He called them to repent from their ignorance and idolatry. This specific verse serves as the climax of his argument, presenting the divine decree of future judgment, unequivocally linked to Jesus, whose resurrection authenticates His divine authority. The immediate audience was a mix of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, who were generally receptive to the idea of a supreme being and morality but unfamiliar with resurrection and judgment through a specific man.

Acts 17 31 Word analysis

• Once: This emphasizes a singular, definitive future event. It points to a final, appointed time for God's decisive action.
• God: Refers to the one true God, the Creator and sovereign ruler of all.
• has fixed / hath appointed: (Greek: horiaō - "hor-ah-o") This signifies an appointed, determined, or decreed time. It conveys God's pre-ordination and certainty of this future judgment.
• a day: This refers to a specific, future occasion for reckoning. It is not an indefinite period but a set moment in time.
• in the which: Indicates the specific time when the judgment will occur.
• he will judge: (Greek: krinō - "kree-no") This verb signifies to judge, to pass sentence, to distinguish, or to discern. It denotes the authoritative assessment of deeds and character.
• the world: Encompasses all humanity, all nations, and all creation. It signifies a universal scope of judgment.
• in righteousness: (Greek: dikaiosunē - "di-kai-o-soo-nay") This means with equity, justice, and according to God’s holy standard. The judgment will be fair and perfectly just.
• by that man: Singular focus on Jesus Christ as the sole appointed judge.
• whom he hath ordained: (Greek: horisma - "hor-is-mah") Related to horiaō, this stresses God's sovereign appointment or decree concerning Jesus as the judge.
• He hath given proof unto all men: (Greek: pistis - "pis-tis" for "proof"; "apodeixis" - "ap-o-dyk-sis" often translated "proof" or "demonstration") The evidence is undeniable and presented for everyone's consideration.
• in that he hath raised him from the dead: (Greek: anistēmi - "an-is-tay-mee") This resurrection is the crucial evidence and confirmation of Jesus' identity, His finished work, and His authority as appointed judge. It validates His claims and the divine mandate given to Him.

Acts 17 31 Bonus section

Paul's discourse here in Athens represents a transition in his evangelistic strategy. While respecting Athenian culture, he pointedly contrasted their polytheism and philosophical speculations with the singular truth of the Creator God and the definitive act of divine judgment through the resurrected Christ. The emphasis on the resurrection was critical, as it was the unique and defining event of Christianity that validated Jesus’ claims and His authority over life and death, and thus over judgment. This sermon directly addresses the "unknown God" they worshipped, identifying Him with the God who raised Jesus from the dead.

Acts 17 31 Commentary

The core message is the absolute certainty of a future, universal judgment presided over by Jesus Christ. God, in His sovereignty, has decreed this day. The resurrection of Jesus serves as the irrefutable proof of His divine authority and capacity to execute this judgment justly. This compels a response of repentance and faith, as all will eventually face this reckoning. It provides assurance of divine justice and a call to align oneself with God’s appointed judge.