In Acts 17:22, we read: “Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus.”
I had always viewed the Areopagus in Athens as simply the place where Paul met with leading thinkers. After reading Ben Witherington’s book, I am convinced he is right that it was not only a location but also the name of a tribunal.
Paul was not officially charged with a crime, but he was clearly being investigated. He began his message like a good missionary, building a bridge his listeners could cross to discover Jesus for themselves—if they were willing.
“Athenians, I see how extremely spiritual you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.'” (Acts 17:22-23)
He started with a compliment, then made a statement that sparked their curiosity. Frank Laubach did something similar when he began ministering to the Moro people in the Philippines.
He offered them the chance to learn to read. He learned their language and created a written form they could both read and write. Then, he brought this method of reading to the king, complimenting him with the offer to help his people read and write their own language.
The second part created curiosity: Why would someone from the United States travel all the way to the Philippines to teach people how to read? Later, he answered that question by sharing the gospel through the reading program.
Who is the Athenian Unknown God?
Paul spoke to this group of leading Athenians about God’s work. He explained that God is the Creator and does not live in temples made by human hands. God does not need people to serve him because he needs nothing. Instead, he gives people life and breath. From one ancestor, he made all the people who live across the earth.
Perhaps referring to the many idols in Athens, he said God is active in all human history…
“So that they would search for God and perhaps fumble about for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being.'” (Acts 17:27-28)
A common saying is that we have a hole in our hearts that only God can fill. People say this so often because it is true. We may search everywhere and try many things to fill that empty space, but only God can truly satisfy it.
St. Augustine said it this way: “Lord, our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.”
Just as a fish swims in the ocean, we live in God’s constant presence. A fish may not realize it is surrounded by ocean water. In the same way, we may not always recognize that we live in God’s presence throughout his universe.
Let’s ask God to remind us that he is always near through the Holy Spirit, and that we can connect with him anytime, every day.
Paul’s Challenge
When I studied sales in college, our professor taught us a technique based on building a series of “yes” answers. You begin with things the customer can agree with, and move from one “yes” answer to another. Finally, you bring them to the point where they must say “yes” to buying your product.
Paul did something similar in his speech. The people of Athens likely agreed with what he had said up to a certain point. But now he told them to repent. That was different.
“While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30)
To repent means to change your mind, and Paul was asking them to change their minds about who the one true God is. The real challenge came when Paul spoke about resurrection and being accountable for sin.
“Because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged 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)
They did not believe in any kind of resurrection. To them, it was philosophically impossible. They also did not want anyone to hold them accountable for how they lived.
The Challenge of Repentance
Consider this when thinking about how difficult change can be: Doctors say that if 10 people with heart problems are told they will die unless they change their diet and exercise habits, 8 out of 10 still will not change.
Paul was speaking to people who had spent years investing in the philosophies they believed. Changing their minds would take more than Paul’s preaching alone. Thank God for the Holy Spirit, who helps us. Luke records that some people received Christ, while others wanted to wait and hear more from the apostle (Acts 17:33-34).
As we reflect on Paul’s message to the Athenians, let’s consider our own lives. In God, we live, move, and have our being. Do we recognize this truth and allow His Holy Spirit to guide us? I hope so.
YouTube Discussion
For more insights into Acts 17:22-34, please join Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and me on YouTube today.
