Paul is Sent to Athens (Acts 17:14–15)
Paul was sent to Athens by sea (Acts 17:14).
Athens was renowned for its idolatry and intellectual traditions, particularly those of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.
Athens is approximately 186 miles from Thessalonica.
Silas and Timothy remain in Athens (Acts 17:15).
Paul’s Spirit is Aroused with Urgency (Acts 17:16–17)
The idolatry arouses urgency in Paul’s spirit (Acts 17:16).
He reasoned with the Jews and Gentiles, in the synagogue and marketplace (Acts 17:17).
Reasoning is engaging in conversation in a manner of discussion.
It was Paul’s tradition to start in the synagogue in each city, reasoning that Jesus is the Christ.
This is not debating—a formal discussion or argument involving opposing viewpoints.
Debating is of the world (1 Corinthians 1:20).
Debating is for the purpose of winning an argument, not engaging in discussion concerning truth.
The Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers (Acts 17:18–21)
The Epicurean philosophers.
They were followers of Epicurus (341–270 BC), a Greek philosopher who founded a school of thought known as Epicureanism in Athens around 307 BC.
Epicureanism promoted a thoughtful pursuit of pleasure, defined primarily as the absence of pain (aponia) and freedom from disturbance (ataraxia).
The Stoic philosophers.
Stoicism was a major philosophical school in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, founded by Zeno of Citium (c. 334–262 BC) in Athens around the early 3rd century.
The name “Stoicism” comes from the Stoa Poikilē (“Painted Porch”), a colonnade in Athens where Zeno taught.
Stoicism emphasized rationality, virtue, and active engagement in society, aiming for a life in harmony with nature and governed by reason.
The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were intrigued by what Paul was saying (Acts 17:18).
The term σπερμολόγος (spermológos), used by some philosophers to mock Paul, refers to a “seed-picker,” metaphorically describing someone as a scavenger of ideas—a pseudo-intellectual who gathers fragments of knowledge without true understanding.
Paul was proclaiming foreign gods because he announced Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 17:18).
They bring Paul to the Areopagus to inform them of this new doctrine (Acts 17:19).
What Paul was speaking was strange to them, so they desired to know what these things meant (Acts 17:20).
The Areopagus was a place for the Athenians and foreigners who spent their time doing nothing else but telling or hearing something new (Acts 17:21).
Paul Speaks to the Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers About Jesus (Acts 17:22–34)
Paul addresses the men of Athens at the Areopagus (Acts 17:22–23).
The Areopagus: Ἄρειος Πάγος, Areios Pagos, meaning “Hill of Ares.”
Paul declares that he perceives them as very religious based upon all the objects of worship in the city (Acts 17:22).
Due to their religious zeal, they even had an altar to the unknown God (Acts 17:23).
Declaring the Unknown God:
Paul uses their religious zeal in an attempt to persuade them about the Christ (Acts 17:23).
The God who made the world and all that is in it does not dwell in temples made by hands (Acts 17:24).
The true God is not worshipped with men’s hands, nor needs anything, since He gives all life and breath (Acts 17:25).
God made from one blood all nations (Acts 17:26).
The nations seek God, to touch Him and find Him (Acts 17:27).
Paul attempts to persuade them using their own poets—“we are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:28).
Since we are the offspring of God, we are obligated not to think of the divine nature as silver, gold, stone, or anything that is shaped by man (Acts 17:29).
The time of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands that all men change their mind (Acts 17:30).
God has appointed a day of judgment (Acts 17:31).
The world will be judged in righteousness by the Man He ordained.
God attested to this by raising Him from the dead.
The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers mock Paul (Acts 17:32).
A few men join Paul, but most reject his words (Acts 17:33–34).
Paul Travels to Corinth (Acts 18:1–10)
At Corinth, Paul finds work (Acts 18:1–3).
Paul reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath (Acts 18:4).
When Timothy and Silas came from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the word to thoroughly testify to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 18:5).
Textual issue: Spirit or word? Word has slightly better support and fits better with the context.
Compel is not used concerning the Holy Spirit’s interaction with us.
Compel is used for how the love of Christ influences us to share the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:14).
After Timothy and Silas came, Paul focused only on the word.
Then the Jews opposed him and blasphemed; Paul shook off his clothing and went to the Gentiles (Acts 18:6).
Crispus and his household believed and were baptized (Acts 18:7–8).
In a vision by night, Paul is told by the Lord that he is not to be silent or afraid (Acts 18:9–10).
Paul came to Corinth defeated by the rejection of the resurrection at Mars Hill (1 Corinthians 2:2).
God encourages him to speak freely in this city, giving Paul rest (Acts 18:10).
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