Paul At Athens

 

Paul At Athens

Acts17. 16-3

Introduction.

Athens was an idolatrous city which perplexed the Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey, verse 16.

Athens was also a cosmopolitan city so Paul applied the principle in Romans 1.16 that the Gospel is to be preached first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. So, firstly, he preached to the Jews in their synagogue and then to others in the market place, verse 17, and on Mars Hill, verses 18-34.

Paul preached to the Jews from their Old Testament at Thessalonica in Acts 17.1-4. However, he preached to the pagans in verses 18-34 on creation. “Initially, it is the work of God in creation that tells him (man) of his accountability to God. But it is the Word of God in Holy Scripture which tells him of Jesus Christ and the way back to God”. (Urban Harvest, p.186, by R. Joslin). We, too, ought to use discretion in our evangelism, Proverbs 11.30. Cf. Matthew 10.16.

Let us now focus on the philosophers Paul challenged on Mars Hill.

1.The Origin and Objectives of the Philosophers, v.18a.

Happiness and pleasure are the supreme good and the basis of morality according to Epicurus and his followers. The former was a moderate person who lived from 341 – 270 BC. The latter, by Paul’s time, were given to gross sensualism and are mentioned in Philippians 3.19. True happiness is when one is forgiven by God, Psalm 32.1

The Stoics’ philosophy originated with Zeno of Citium in 3 BC. The name derives from the porch (stoa poikilê) in the Agora at Athens. They believed that the highest good was to cultivate indifference to both pleasure and pain. Endurance is a virtue Christians should cultivate, James 1.3.

2.The Opinion the Philosophers had of Paul, v18b.

“What will this babler say?”, they asked. Young’s Literal Translation reads, “What would this seed picker wish to say?” M.R. Vincent in Word Studies of the N.T. volume 1, page 264, elaborates on this picture. The philosophers compared Paul to a bird which picks up seeds in the street and markets. They thought Paul mixed different ideas in order to make a new doctrine. Rather, he had come to proclaim the Gospel as presented in the Holy Scriptures. Its basis was “Jesus and the resurrection”. Perhaps they thought “the resurrection” was a goddess!

 3.The Occupation of the Philosophers, verses 19-21.

The philosophers brought Paul to Mars Hill, so called because of the myth of the trial of the god Mars, for the murder of the son of Neptune. Its other name was Areopagus, the highest court in the land. They loved novelty so they asked Paul of the “new doctrine” he was proclaiming. It was new in quality and character. The Gospel message, since its introduction over two thousand years ago, is “old yet ever new”, as the hymnist put it.

4. The Observation Paul had of the Athenians, verses 22-23.

Paul was very polite as usual when dealing with his hearers. He told them that they were “very religious” (N.I.V.) but ignorant of the true God. He pointed out the altar with the inscription “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD”. The Athenians wanted to ensure that they had not overlooked any god in their worship to safeguard against any judgement that may come upon them. Their religion must have been one of fear. The inscription served as a springboard for Paul’s discourse by which he dispelled their ignorance. Some Christians are able to adapt a phrase in order to present the Gospel. For example, in an open air service a preacher made a pun from the words on an advertisement by a utility company, “Be converted”.

 5.The Outlook of Paul and the Philosophers, verses 24 – 31.

Paul very skilfully and diplomatically handles the outlook of the philosophers in his following discourse. He dealt with issues he was   passionate about and showed how their views were false and futile.

 Creation is the first issue, verse 24. Both parties denied there is a Creator. The Epicurians believed in the “Big Bang” theory like many today. The Stoics taught pantheism which is being perpetuated by the New Age Movement. Rather, the universe came into existence through the spoken word of God, He Who governs the world, Genesis 1; Psalm 22.28.

Providence is the second issue, verse 25. “Providence is the beneficence control or care of God over His creatures” (New English Dictionary).  He does not rely on human agency; rather, He gives and sustains life. He gives breath to humans, Genesis 2.7; Daniel 5.23, and to animals, Psalm 104.29.  The Epicurians were atheists and said if there was a God, He would not be interested in His creatures. Paul indicates to the Stoics that God’s providence proves that He is distinct from His creation.

 Government is the third issue, verses 26 – 30.

Verse 26 “He made of one every nation of men” (R.V.). Adam was the source of the human race, Deuteronomy 32.8. It has three branches, Shem, Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah,Genesis 6.10; 9.25-27; chapters 10 & 11. God scattered their descendents because they built the tower of Babel, Genesis 11.8,9. They became known as nations. He allocated territories to different nations, Deuteronomy 1-4. In particular, He allocated the Land of Canaan to the nation of Israel. Some to them became dispossessed of their land because of their sin, Genesis 15.16; Exodus 3. 8;  Acts 13.19.

Furthermore, He divided the history of this world into ages or epochs of time. In Hebrews 11.3 we read, “By faith we understand the ages to have been prepared by a saying of God” (Young’s Literal Translation). Paul’s words must have appealed to the Stoics for they were very interested in the international scene. They learnt that they were not living in Greece by chance. Neither do we in our respective countries.

Verse 27. God desires the inhabitants to seek Him, Isaiah 55.6; Hosea 10.12 and rewards such, Hebrews 11.6. They would then feel or grope after Him and find Him. The Epicurians at best thought God was a remote Being. Not so, for God asked Israel, “Am I a God at hand…and not a God afar off?, Jeremiah 23.23,24. The word of God was near them says Romans 10.8.

Verse28. Our existence and activity of life are due to God’s sustaining power upon us for He is omnipresent. Jonah learnt this by bitter experience; not so David, Psalm 139.7-10. Paul was alluding to the pantheistic teaching of the Stoics. He then quotes from Aratus of Cilicea who describes humanity as God’s “offspring”. Compare Titus 1.12.

Verse 29. Mankind are the offspring of God creatorially, Genesis 1.26,27. They are made in the image and likeness of God. “Image” implies they represent and manifest God. “Likeness” indicates “the original after which a thing is patterned”. (Vine’s Dictionary, p.136,  p.318). Like God, they are a tripart being : Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Matthew 28.19; spirit, soul and body, 1 Thessalonians .5.23, respectively. He should never be likened to idols, Isaiah 40.18-20, 25.

Verses 30-31a illustrates the epochs of time mentioned in verse 26. They are also called “times” and “seasons” in Acts 1.7; 1 Thessalonians 5.1. “Times” refers to a period; “season” refers to the character of that period. Here we have the past which was characterised by man’s ignorance of God and His forbearance. Now we live in a period when God commands all to repent. A day of judgement will follow when Christ will judge this world, John 5.22,27. Therefore, the past, present and future are seen here. Compare 1 Thessalonians 1. 9,10; Titus 2.11-14.

Resurrection is the fourth issue, verses 31b-32.  The resurrection of Christ gave assurance of judgement as well as salvation, Romans 10.9.  It is a fundamental doctrine of Christianity which permeates the Book of Acts. The Epicurians would mock it because essentially they were atheists. Others  procastinated.

 

6. The Outcome of the Discourse, v. 32- 34.

Paul’s first three missions in Europe, at Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea, led to many converts and physical abuse. At Athens there were less converts and verbal abuse. Some Athenians changed allegiance and believed Paul’s message, such as Dionysius the Areopagite and Demaris, showing that the Gospel is impartial to  status and gender, verse 34. Compare Galatians 3.30. They were a microcosm of people God was calling from the nations to form His church, Acts 15.14.