Atos 17
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 17
Guzik - Even the unfounded accusation of political revolution had a compliment hidden inside. Even the evil men from the marketplace understood that Christians taught that Jesus was a king, that He had the right to rule over His people. Why is it that all too many churchgoers miss this message today? NET Note - The charges are serious, involving sedition (Luke 23:2). If the political charges were true, Rome would have to react. Larkin - Although the persecutors had been the real disturbers of public order, the gospel always has an unsettling, even revolutionary effect on those who hear it. It calls for a repentance that means bowing to King Jesus in total allegiance. Totalitarian rulers, whether Caesar or modern-day overlords, cannot peacefully coexist with King Jesus or his kingdom subjects. Paul was the ideal evangelist because he would not compromise the truth of Jesus Christ and was willing to suffer for his convictions. He understood that the gospel causes a spiritual revolution in all who truly are saved. Children often come up with deep truth without realizing it. A little girl said to her mother, “The Bible begins with Genesis and ends with Revolution.” Out of the mouth of babes comes truth. (Ibid) Jack Arnold - The Jews then accused Paul of rebellion, sedition and treason. They claimed that Paul was preaching another king than Caesar, and he was. Paul preached Christ, the King of Kings, but His kingdom was a spiritual kingdom, not a political kingdom. “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm’” (Jn. 18:36). Paul taught submission to human government. This, however, does tell us that Paul preached Jesus Christ as King, Lord, Master and Ruler, and we should do the same today. (Acts 17: 1-15 Ideal Evangelism) Acts 17:8 They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. Matthew 2:3; John 11:48 Acts 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Acts 17:1-3, 10-11 Men Who Turned the World Upside Down, Part 1- John MacArthur Acts 17:4-9, 12-15 Men Who Turned the World Upside Down, Part 2 - John MacArthur They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things - Defiance of Caesar stirred up the crowd! Their accusation raised the fear that their city might become known for opposition against Caesar and Rome and that was not a good thing! Stirred up (5015)(tarasso) literally means to stir up or agitate to and fro like water in a glass sharply jarred. To confuse, to throw into confusion, to unsettle, to trouble. To shake back and forth. Used of political agitators who cause confusion and turmoil. Used of mental and spiritual agitation. Most of the NT uses of tarasso are figurative and describe the state of one's mind as stirred up, agitated or experiencing inward commotion. Tarasso in Acts - Acts 15:24; Acts 17:8; Acts 17:13
Atos 17
Guzik - God willing and blessing, people would say such things about the effectiveness of Christians today!. Jesus did not come only to be our teacher, but to turn our world upside-down. The powerful and the eminent of this world are at the top of the power pyramid and look down on the weak and insignificant; but Jesus comes and turns that pyramid around and says, If you want to come to Me, you have to come like a little child. As Paul says, God has chosen the foolish and weak things of the world to confound the wise (1Corinthians 1:27), and so God turns the world's power-pyramid upside down. Jesus gave a great example of this upside-down thinking when He spoke of a rich man who amassed great wealth, and all he could think about was building bigger barns to store all his wealth. We would make the man a civic leader or recognized him as a prominent man; Jesus turned it all upside down and called the man a fool, because he had done nothing to get his life right with God. (Luke 12:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) Actually, God was working through Paul and Silas to turn the world right side-up again. But when you yourself are upside-down, the other direction appears to be upside-down! Jack Arnold - In a book entitled, The Cost of Commitment, Dr. John White, a psychiatrist and minister in Canada, said, "It would be foolish of us to assume that our present luxurious freedom will continue indefinitely. (Freedom is the delayed end result of the Reformation, with its biblical view of man. As the biblical influence wanes, it is likely that freedom will not continue.) There are signs that the conditions necessary for tolerance and freedom are already being eroded. Democracy is a fragile flower of late bloom (it was in its present form completely unknown to the Greeks) liable to be withered by scorching winds of impatient hate. It is therefore important that we all ask ourselves: Am I willing to risk imprisonment and death for Christ? Many professing believers are not willing . . . If you are faithful in little things while freedom lasts, chances are that you will be faithful when the big tests come. There is valuable training in faithfulness where you are now. If you are open and honest--true to yourself and true to Christ--your life will provoke hostility in some and will powerfully attract others. To some it will be a "savour of life unto life” and to others “of death unto death.” If you are faithful to Him it may make you unpopular and unprosperous . . . I do not wish to be an alarmist about what it costs to be faithful to Christ yet I feel I must point both to Scripture and to the course of church history. I want to awaken the Western Church with the blast of a trumpet, warning her that the normal conditions under which the Church bears witness are not those we now experience, but are conditions inimical to Christian witness. I believe that the darkness may be descending again, and I fear that few of us are prepared for it. We belong to a long tradition of martyrdom, but we have become soft and ill-prepared. Acts 17: 1-15 Ideal Evangelism English Evangelist - It was said of the apostles, “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither” (Acts 17:6). There is a story told of an eccentric English evangelist who took that text for one of his open-air sermons in a new place. He began by saying, “First, the world is wrong side up. Second, the world must be turned upside down. Third, we are the men to set it right.” In the man’s quaint phrases, this is really the purpose of the gospel. It is God’s way of making things right. A. B. Simpson Robert
Atos 17
Guzik points out that "In general, Roman officials did not care what the people believed. Yet when the public order was disrupted by riots, they came down with an iron hand. If things got out of hand, it wouldn’t be long until the Emperor dispatched his legions to restore order, and no one wanted that. So Jason had to post the bond even though he did not start the riot." (The Enduring Word Bible Commentary – Acts) Released (630)(apoluo from apó = marker of dissociation, implying a rupture from a former association, separation + luo = loose) is used often of sending a person or a group away from someone (Mt 14:15, 22, 23, 32, etc). Apoluo frequently has the sense of to let loose from or to release (as from under arrest or from another's custody), as it is used here in Acts 17:9. To let go free or set at liberty. Apoluo is used in all four Gospels describing the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus (Jn 18:39, Mt 27:15, 17, 21, etc, cf Acts 16:35) Apoluo frequently is means to divorce (let go free or release a wife Mt 5:31, 32; 19:3; and a husband in Mk 10:12). Apoluo is never used in the marriage context with the meaning of just to separate (as the term is commonly used today) or to break an engagement, but always means full fledged divorce. Apoluo was used in secular Greco-Roman writings of discharge from the military, of release from jail or of setting a debtor free (these latter meanings also commonly found in the NT writings). To dismiss (as innocent) - As legal term, to grant acquittal, set free, release, pardon. Apoluo in Luke 6:37 is used with the sense of forgive. Thus most versions like NET, NIV, KJV, ESV translate it as "forgive" = "forgive, and you will be forgiven." Figuratively of setting someone "free" of illness (Luke 13:12 "Woman, you are freed from your sickness.") To let loose from, to loose or unbind a person or thing. To free from, relieve from, with the gen. of sickness Lk 13:12 To forgive a debt and thus release from the obligation to pay it off - Mt 18:27 To release persons accused or imprisoned Mt 27:15; Mk15:6; Lk 22:68; Jn 19:10; Ac 4:21; 26:32; 28:18 Summary of apoluo... 1. Dismiss, let go away (Mt 14:15); 2. Send, cause another to depart (Ac 15:30) 3. Set free, release (Lk 23:22) 4. Divorce (Mt 1:19) 5. Forgive, grant clemency, pardon (Lk 6:37) 6. Go away, leave (Ac 28:25) NAS translates apoluo as - dismissed(1), divorce(3), divorced(2), divorces(5), freed(1), leaving(1), let...go(2), pardon(1), pardoned(1), release(20), released(8), releasing...to depart(1), send...away(9), sending...away(1), sending away(1), sends...away(1), sent...away(6), sent away(2), set free(1). Friberg (summary) - (1) of a prisoner or debtor set free, release, pardon (MT 27.15); (2) of divorce send away, dismiss, let go (MT 1.19; 19.3); (3) of a crowd or assembly dismiss, send away (MT 14.15); (4) middle go away, depart (AC 28.25); (5) euphemistically, for death let die, let depart (LU 2.29) BDAG (summary) - 1. As legal term, to grant acquittal, set free, release, pardon someone, a prisoner (Mt 27:15-26; cp. Mk 15:6-15; Lk 23:16-25; J 18:39; 19:10, 12; Ac 3:13; 5:40; 16:35f; 26:32; 28:18. 2. to release from a painful condition, free, pass. be freed (2Mac 12:45; Lk 13:12. 3. to permit or cause someone to leave a particular location let go, send away, dismiss; of a crowd Mt 14:15, 22; 15:32, 39; Mk 6:36, 45; 8:9; dismiss the assembly Ac 19:40. Also of individuals Mt 15:23; Lk 8:38; 14:4; Lk 22:68 (send them away) to their homes Mk 8:3. let (them) go into the building Passive - be dismissed, take leave, depart, of a cavalryman’s discharge (on the desire for departure. 4. to grant a request and so be rid of a person, Mt 15:23 5. to dissolve a marriage relationship, to divorce one’s wife, or betrothed (Dt 24:1ff; Mt 1:19; 5:31f, 19:3, 7-9; Mk 10:2, 4, 11; Lk 16:18. Of the woman divorce her husband Mk 10:12. This is in accord not w. Jewish but w. Gr-Rom. custom 6. middle voice to make a departure from a locality, go away - Ex 33:11;Ac 28:25; Apoluo - 66x in 61v (only 4x in Septuagint - Ge 15:2, Ex 33:11, Nu 20:29, Ps 34:1) - Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. Matthew 5:31 "It was said, 'WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE'; 32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Matthew 14:15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. Matthew 15:23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, "Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us." 32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." 39 And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan. Matthew 18:27 "And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. Matthew 19:3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?" 8 He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. 9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." Matthew 27:15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 21 But the governor said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." 26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Mark 6:36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. Mark 8:3 "If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance." 9 About four thousand were there; and He sent them away. Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife. 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY." 11 And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; 12 and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery." Mark 15:6 Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. 9 Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. 15 Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Luke 2:29 "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; NET Note - Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord's slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Josh 14:7), David (Ps 89:3; cf. 2Sa 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2Kgs 10:10); all these men were "servants (or slaves) of the Lord." Comment: Simeon's life had been devoted (as the Lord's slave) to the expectant appearance of the Messiah and His salvation, but now that the expectation had been fulfilled, his task had come to an end. The implication is that Simeon's "release" from life was drawing near. Oh, to finish my life with such a sense of having accomplished my Master's will for my short life! Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Luke 8:38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, Luke 9:12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, "Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place." Luke 13:12 When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your sickness." Luke 14:4 But they kept silent. And He took hold of him and healed him, and sent him away. Luke 16:18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery. Luke 23:16 "Therefore I will punish Him and release Him." 18 But they cried out all together, saying, "Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!" 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 22 And he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him." 25 And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will. John 18:39 "But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?" John 19:10 So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" 12 As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, "If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar." Acts 3:13 "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. Acts 4:21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. Acts 5:40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. Acts 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 15:30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. Acts 16:35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, "Release those men." 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace." Acts 17:9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. Acts 19:40 "For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering." 41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly. Acts 23:22 So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, "Tell no one that you have notified me of these things." Acts 26:32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." Acts 28:18 "And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, Hebrews 13:23 Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. Acts 17:10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. the brethren - Acts 17:14; 9:25; 23:23,24; Joshua 2:15,16; 1 Samuel 19:12-17; 20:42 Berea - Acts 17:13; 20:4 went - Acts 17:2; 14:6,7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2 William Ramsay Berea Acts 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Acts 17:1-3, 10-11 Men Who Turned the World Upside Down, Part 1- John MacArthur Acts 17:4-9, 12-15 Men Who Turned the World Upside Down, Part 2 - John MacArthur ESCAPE BY NIGHT TO A CITY "OFF THE BEATEN PATH" This is Paul's second nocturnal escape in Acts, the first being in Acts 9:25+ when "his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket." And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea - They did not hold a prayer meeting. They did not presume on God's protection. They acted intelligently based on the facts using good judgment. And in so doing they acted in a way that would result in Jason receiving back the money he had put up as a pledge. Immediately by night (eutheōs dia nuktos). Paul‘s work had not been in vain in Thessalonica (1Th 1:7-note.; 1Th 2:13-note, 1Th 2:20-note). Paul loved the church here. Two of them, Aristarchus and Secundus, will accompany him to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4) and Aristarchus will go on with him to Rome (Acts 27:2). Plainly Paul and Silas had been in hiding in Thessalonica and in real danger. After his departure severe persecution came to the Christians in Thessalonica (1 Th 2:14-note; 1 Th 3:1-5-note; 2 Th 1:6). It is possible that there was an escort of Gentile converts with Paul and Silas on this night journey to Beroea which was about fifty miles southwest from Thessalonica near Pella in another district of Macedonia (Emathia). There is a modern town there of some 6,000 people. (Acts 17 - Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament) Immediately (2112)(eutheos from euthus = straight, immediate) is an adverb which generally means at once, right away, forthwith, straightaway, without an interval of time or a point of time subsequent to a previous point of time. Note that the actual interval of time depends on the nature of the events and the manner in which the sequence is interpreted by the writer. Luke's uses of eutheos in Acts - Acts 9:18; Acts 9:20; Acts 9:34; Acts 12:10; Acts 16:10; Acts 17:10; Acts 17:14; Acts 21:30; Acts 22:29; Paul later wrote that his return to the city was hindered For we wanted to come to you–I, Paul, more than once–and yet Satan hindered us. (1 Th 2:18) Paul's return may have been hindered, but the Gospel was not hindered (remember it is the power of God)... You (BELIEVERS AT THESSALONICA) also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything (PAUL DID NOT NEED TO COME BACK - GOD'S WORD SOUNDED FORTH!). 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, (1 Th 1:6-9+) David Guzik comments that "Paul only spent a few weeks in Thessalonica (Acts 17:2) and it seems he wished he could have taught them more. He decided to teach them more in a written letter, and many believe that 1 Thessalonians was his first letter written to a congregation." (Enduring Word Bible Commentary – Acts) To Berea (See note; Wikipedia) - Berea (population about 6000 compared to 200,000 for Thessalonica) was about 45-50 miles away from Thessalonica on the eastern slopes of a mountain on the way to Achaia, the province that corresponds to southern Greece today. Timothy is not mentioned and presumably must have remained at Philippi (he is not mentioned at Thessalonica although Paul did later send him to them 1 Th 3:2ff). Larkin - They travel west-southwest along the Via Egnatia some twenty miles and then leave it and head south thirty more miles to Berea. This strategic withdrawal into the third district of Macedonia and to a city that Cicero labeled "off the beaten track" (Against Piso 36.89) is not a retreat but a means of further advance. G Campbell
Atos 17
Guzik comments that "When Paul preached, they had open hearts; but also clear heads. Many people have clear heads but closed hearts, and never receive the word with all readiness. It was both of these things that made the Bereans more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica." Noble minded (2104) (eugenes from eu = well + genos = family, race) means literally of high or noble birth, but in this context is used figuratively to describe men and women possessing that type of attitude ordinarily associated with well-bred persons, being open, tolerant, generous. The word is used not only for noble birth but also for noble sentiments, character, morals; thus the Jews of Berea were more noble in character than those of Thessalonica in their welcome and cordial treatment of the apostles Eugenes is the source of the English word "eugenics" (from Greek eugenes - well-born, from eu- + genes = born) which is the study of methods of improving the quality of the human race, especially by selective breeding! The Nazi physicians took this horrible practice to demonic levels! Noble (Webster) = possessing outstanding qualities; of high birth or exalted rank; possessing superiority of mind or character or morals or ideals Friberg (summary) - (1) as having a high status, especially socially well-born, noble, important (Lk 19.12); substantivally nobleman, important person (1Cor 1.26); (2) as a commendable attitude open-minded, without prejudice; BDAG (summary) 1. pertaining to being of high status, well-born, high-born = 1 Cor 1:26. a certain nobleman Lk 19:12. 2. pertaining to having the type of attitude ordinarily associated with well-bred persons, noble-minded, open-minded = these were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica Ac 17:11 Liddell-Scott - well-born, of noble race, of high descent, Lat. generosus, is a mark of nobility, 2. noble-minded, generous, 3. of animals, high-bred, noble, 4. of outward form, noble, nobly, bravely Eugenes is used not only for noble birth but also for noble sentiments, character, morals. The implication is that the Berean Jews were more noble in character than those in Thessalonica in their welcome and cordial treatment of the apostles. Eugenes is used only 3 times in the NT and is translated in the NAS as more noble-minded(1), noble(1), nobleman*(1). There is one use in Job 1:3 and the rest in the apocryphal Septuagint - 2 Macc 10:13; 4 Macc 6:5; 9:13, 24, 27; 10:3, 15; Job 1:3; Luke 19:12; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor 1:26 Luke 19:12 So He said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 1 Corinthians 1:26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; Job 1:3 His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest (Lxx = eugenes; most noble) of all the men of the east. Related Resource: ON THE CHARACTER OF THE BEREANS - Thomas Reade's SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF THE HEART or CHRISTIAN RETIREMENT THE BEREAN'S "WELCOME MAT" They received (1209) (dechomai) means to to receive something offered or transmitted by another (Luke 2:28) and speaks of a ready reception of what is offered. To take something into one's hand and so to grasp (Luke 22:17). To be receptive to someone (Mt 10:14, 40). To take a favorable attitude toward something (Mt 11:14). Jesus used dechomai to describe the way that humble, childlike believers (Matt. 18:5), faithful preachers of the gospel (Matt. 10:14), and the gospel itself (Luke 8:13; cf. Acts 8:14; 17:11) should be received. Dechomai means to accept deliberately and readily, receive kindly and so to take to oneself what is presented or brought by another. It means to welcome as a teacher, a friend, or a guest into one's house. The word describes accepting persons with open arms, minds, and hearts, even going beyond normally expected gracious hospitality. The term was often used of welcoming honored guests and meeting their needs with special attention and kindness. The Bereans deliberately and readily accepted THE WORD (ton lógos = "the specific Word"...not just ''any'' word! The specific Word in context represents the Gospel - see the effect of their reception in the next verse). The Bereans took the precious word to themselves, welcoming it as what it was, the word of life (this same phrase is found in Php 2:16- (see note), and in 1 Jn 1:1 refers to Jesus Himself cf Deut 32:47), as one would welcome a guest or friend or wise counselor to their house ("...they will receive [dechomai] me into their homes." Lk 16:4) Rahab the harlot welcomed (dechomai) the spies in [He 11:31-note]. They had the right kind of soil as Jesus described in Luke 8... And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. (Lk 8:15, compare to Lydia who heard [was listening] in Acts 16:14) The Word, the logos, the Word of God, the Word of Truth, the Word of Life, the Word of the Gospel, the Word of the Cross (1 Cor 1:18). John Butler comments on the fact that the Bereans received the Word "That is a better reception than we are giving the Word in our country. Our courts instead of receiving the Word are forbidding it in our schools, and the Biblical nativity scenes on government property and they are assaulting the ten commandments from being placed on government property. Unlike Berea, there is little welcome of the Word in our land." (Sermon Starters) With (3326) (meta) means in the midst of or in the company with prothumia, a good attitude to manifest when the "guest" is the Living Word! They were eager but not gullible, naive and easily deceived or tricked. THE BEREAN'S "PROMPTNESS" Promptness is the characteristic of doing things without delay, the quality of being performed or executed without delay, the quality or state of being quick or ready to act or respond. THOUGHT - This is an excellent description of the Bereans and should be the description of all God's children who should be "like newborn babies, (WHO) long for (epipotheo) the pure (adolos = undiluted, no additives, not devotionals, not books about the Book, not sermons about the Book, etc! SIMPLY THE BOOK AND NOTHING BUT THE BOOK SO HELP YOU GOD!) milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." (1 Peter 2:2+) Note very carefully the parallel picture -- no consistent intake of pure milk by a newborn baby will lead to a malnourished infant predisposed to all manner of physical ailments, and by the same token this same result will be true spiritually for all of God's children who fail to regularly take in pure milk (their marriages will be negatively impacted, their ability to lead their families will be negatively impacted, their work decisions will be negatively impacted, etc, etc). In short they will experience NO growth in Christ-likeness and like a bicycle that is not being pedaled, they will topple over and are a set-up for backsliding! (See Backsliding) Not only that but they will not experience daily "revival" which comes about from daily "re-Bible!" (reading the Bible)! Ps 119:25 is a prayer we all need to pray (frequently if not daily) "Revive me according to Your word." Beloved, could it be any clearer or any more plainly stated? This truth calls for a response! It begs the question dear reader (under grace not law) "Are you in the Word daily?" (cf Acts 17:11 "daily" not just on Sunday!) And even more important "Is the Word really IN YOU daily or is it in one ear and out the other after your morning reading (James 1:22+), and given no chance to be spiritually digested and chewed on throughout the day?" This is why I am a strong advocate of reading just a few verses in the morning (rather than several chapters as in most "Read Thru the Bible in a Year" programs), chewing them like you would prime rib, and allowing your heart the opportunity to truly be impacted by the passages throughout the remainder of the day. If you do this, don't be surprised when you begin to experience personal revival from your re-Bible discipline! All glory to God. Amen? Amen! Great eagerness (Literally "all eagerness'')(4288) (prothumia from prothumos = predisposed, ready, willing, eager, prompt, referring to one's spirit in Mt 26:41 "the spirit is willing"; from pro = before, in front of + thumos = passion) conveys the idea of ready and willing, of readiness for action, or of having the will or purpose to act. This word describes one's exceptional interest in being of service. It is a determined disposition of one's mind. Prohumia depicts someone who is already willing with an eager disposition which is pre-inclined. Prothumia conveys the idea of “rushing forward” and here speaks of their readiness to receive the word. In Acts 17:11 prothumia refers to the preexisting character of the Bereans, as already willing to know the Lord more. Cleon Rogers - willingness, eagerness. It indicates a positive disposition, goodwill in the heightened sense of eagerness and ardor and is a compliment that honors its subject (Borrow The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament) Eagerness - a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something. Eagerness is very close in nuance to the word enthusiasm which has a fascinating etymological history - The word "enthusiastic" was originally used to refer to a person possessed by a god. It comes from the Greek word ἐνθουσιασμός from ἐν and θεός and οὐσία, meaning "possessed by [a] god's essence", applied by the Greeks to manifestations of divine possession, by Apollo (as in the case of the Pythia), or by Dionysus (as in the case of the Bacchantes and Maenads), the term enthusiasm was also used in a transferred or figurative sense. Socrates taught that the inspiration of poets is a form of enthusiasm. The term was confined to a belief in religious inspiration, or to intense religious fervour or emotion. (Wikipedia) (Ed: This latter phrase is an excellent description of the Bereans! Can't wait to meet them in heaven!) Why were the Bereans like "newborn babies," so eager and enthusiastic for the pure milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:2-note)? Because they were truly possessed, not by "a god" but by THE GOD, the indwelling Holy Spirit Who lives in us (Ro 8:9-note, 1 Cor 3:16, 1 Cor 6:19-note) to exalt the Name of Jesus (John 15:26, 16:14) and stimulate in us a desire for the Living Word! Dear believer, would it be that all of us might so emulate and imitate the ancient Bereans and that we would daily yield to the filling and control of our glorious Teacher, the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Php 1:19-note), Who not only teaches us but then gives us the desire and power to apply the truth of the Word to our lives (Php 2:13NLT-note). Thank you great Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen! Readiness. Forwardness. Willingness. Inclination. Enthusiasm. Goodwill. Eagerness. Eagerness is a state marked by enthusiastic desire or interest and implies ardor and enthusiasm. In ancient Greece, prothumia was a word commonly used in eulogies. The idea of voluntariness is also present in the Qumran writings. A willing and cheerful treading of the divine path is denoted.
Atos 17
Guzik comments that... When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews: In Berea, they follow their familiar strategy, and found that their audience was more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica. Two things earned this compliment for the Bereans: first, they received the word with all readiness. Second, they searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. The Bereans were taught by the most famous apostle and theologian of the early church, and the human author of at least 13 New Testament books. Yet, they searched the Scriptures when Paul taught, to see if his teaching was truly Biblical! They would not accept Paul's word at face value, but wanted to know if these things were so. When they heard Paul teach, their settled reaction wasn't "My, he's a fine speaker." It wasn't "I don't like the way he talks." It wasn't "What a funny preacher!" Instead, the Bereans wanted to know, "Are these things . . . so? Is this man teaching us the truth? Let's search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things are so." Their research was not casual. They searched the Scriptures. It was worth it to them to work hard at it, and investigate what the Word of God said, and how Paul's teaching matched up with it. They also searched the Scriptures daily to find out. It wasn't a one time, quick look. They made it a point of diligent, extended study. Also, they searched the Scriptures daily to find out. They believed they could understand and find out truth from the Bible. For them, the Bible was not just a pretty book of poetry or mystery or nice spiritual inspiration for thoughts-for-the-day. It was a book of truth, and that truth was there to find out. But with all their diligent searching and concern for the truth, the Bereans did not become skeptics. They received the word with all readiness. When Paul preached, they had open hearts, but clear heads. Many people have clear heads, but closed hearts, and never receive the word with all readiness. It was both of these things that made the Bereans more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica. We should be more fair-minded than the Bereans. We should receive the word with all readiness, with open hearts. But we must also have clear heads, and when we hear a preacher, be those who search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things [are] so. If the great apostle Paul was worthy of this kind of close examination, how much more should teachers and preachers today be carefully compared with the Scriptures! Therefore many of them believed: Paul had nothing to fear by the diligent searching of the Scriptures by the Bereans. If they were really seeking God and His Word, they would find out that what Paul was preaching was true. This is exactly what happened among the Bereans, and therefore many of them believed. (Ref) Billy Graham was once asked "If you had to live your life over again, what would you do differently?” Graham replied, “One of my great regrets is that I have not studied enough. I wish I had studied more and preached less. People have pressured me into speaking to groups, when I should have been studying and preparing." George Washington's secretary, Robert Lewis, wrote that it was the President's custom to go to his library at 4:00 in the morning for his devotions. And he concluded each day with Bible reading and prayer. Pastor at the pulpit: "To respond to the charges: Yes, much of last week's sermon was lifted from Scripture, and no, I don't consider that plagiarism." Martin Luther - I'd like all my books to be destroyed so that only the sacred writings in the Bible would be diligently read. THE BEREAN'S AUTHORITY John Butler wrote " The authority for the people of Berea was the Scriptures. If the Scriptures agreed then it was accepted, if the Scriptures disagreed then it was rejected. The Word of God is the authority in all matters in which it speaks. This makes the Bible our fundamental authority." Related Resources: The Authority of Scripture - Paul Feinberg The Authority of Scripture - The Master's Seminary The Authority of Scripture - Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones What does it mean that the Bible should be our sole authority for faith and practice? Whether these things were so - Literally, "if these things had it thus." The Bereans were eagerly interested in the new message of Paul and Silas but they wanted to see it for themselves. What a noble attitude. Paul's preaching made Bible students of them and not simply hearers who relied on the expositions of a dynamic pastor or erudite Bible teacher. In fact the more eloquent or entertaining the sermon, in some cases the greater the danger that one might be deceived into believing that the sermon was all they needed to be "fed" [unless of course those sermons stimulated and encouraged the sheep to pursue personal study and meditation on God's word]. Another description related to examining the Scriptures is found in Jesus' declaration in John... You (Jews) search (ereunao = attempt to learn something by careful investigation or searching) the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me" (Jn 5:39) Unfortunately most of the Jews failed to manifest the heart attitude of the Bereans for Jesus went on to say... and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. (John 5:40) Commenting on the phrase you search the Scriptures, C H Spurgeon has this to say... The Greek word here rendered search (ereunao) signifies a strict, close, diligent, curious search, such as men make when they are seeking gold, or hunters when they are in earnest after game. We must not rest content with having given a superficial reading to a chapter or two, but with the candle of the Spirit we must deliberately seek out the hidden meaning of the word. Holy Scripture requires searching—much of it can only be learned by careful study. There is milk for babes, but also meat for strong men. The rabbis wisely say that a mountain of matter hangs upon every word, yea, upon every title of Scripture. Tertullian exclaims, “I adore the fulness of the Scriptures.” No man who merely skims the book of God can profit thereby; we must dig and mine until we obtain the hid treasure. The door of the word only opens to the key of diligence. The Scriptures claim searching. They are the writings of God, bearing the divine stamp and imprimatur— who shall dare to treat them with levity? He who despises them despises the God who wrote them. God forbid that any of us should leave our Bibles to become swift witnesses against us in the great day of account. The word of God will repay searching. God does not bid us sift a mountain of chaff with here and there a grain of wheat in it, but the Bible is winnowed corn—we have but to open the granary door and find it. Scripture grows upon the student. It is full of surprises. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to the searching eye it glows with splendour of revelation, like a vast temple paved with wrought gold, and roofed with rubies, emeralds, and all manner of gems. No merchandise like the merchandise of Scripture truth. Lastly, the Scriptures reveal Jesus: “They are they which testify of me.” No more powerful motive can be urged upon Bible readers than this: he who finds Jesus finds life, heaven, all things. Happy he who, searching his Bible, discovers his Saviour. (Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, June 9) John Stott - It was inevitable in Jewish evangelism that the Old Testament Scriptures should be both the textbook and the court of appeal. What is impressive is that neither speaker nor hearers used Scripture in a superficial, unintelligent or proof-texting way. On the contrary, Paul “argued” out of the Scriptures and the Bereans “examined” them to see if his arguments were cogent. And we may be sure that Paul welcomed and encouraged these thoughtful responses. He believed in doctrine (his message had theological content), but not in indoctrination (tyrannical instruction demanding uncritical acceptance). As Bengel wrote about verse 11, “a characteristic of the true religion is that it suffers itself to be examined into, and its claims to be so decided upon.” John
Atos 17
Guzik - The same had happened at Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:45, 50), at Iconium (Acts 14:2, 5), at Lystra (Acts 14:19) and at Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-8) This was the fifth city Paul was run out of by an angry mob, stirred up by envious Jewish leaders. (Enduring Word Bible Commentary – Acts) Acts 17:15 Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left. Athens Acts 18:1; 1Th 3:1 receiving Acts 18:5; 2Ti 4:10,11,20,21; Titus 3:12 See Map Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey (Begins in Acts 15:35) Acts 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Acts 17:4-9, 12-15 Men Who Turned the World Upside Down, Part 2 - John MacArthur Click to enlarge - from the Holman Bible Atlas (digital book; Hardcover) copyright © 1998 B&H Publishing Group, used by permission, all rights reserved. This is one of the best resources for Bible maps. Please do not reproduce this map on any other webpage. APOLOGETICS IN ATHENS Now those who escorted (kathistemi) Paul brought him as far as Athens - Whether by land or sea is unknown for Luke does not specify how Paul traversed the distance of about 222 miles to Athens. Believing brethren accompanied him. Who would not have relished one on one time with the great apostle. It is very unlikely they discussed the weather! One can only imagine how much he taught them. Receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible - As discussed in Acts 17:14 notation, it appears that they did come to him but that he soon decided to send them on special follow-up missions, especially Timothy (1 Th 3:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-note). Silas was instructed by Paul to leave Athens and then meet him at Corinth (cf. Acts 18:1-5). Command (order)(1785)(entole from en = in, upon + téllo = accomplish, charge, command) refers to some type of demand or requirement. ESV Study Bible note - Luke does not at this point give many details about the travels of Silas and Timothy, but Paul gives more information in 1 Thessalonians 3, and Luke gives more details at Acts 18:1, 5. These passages reveal the following sequence: (1) Paul traveled to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy in Berea (Acts 17:14-15). (2) Paul summoned Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens (Acts 17:15). (3) Silas and Timothy joined Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16; 1 Th 3:1-2). (4) Paul became concerned for the churches he had just founded in Macedonia (in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea), so he sent Timothy to Thessalonica to find out how that church was doing amid its persecution and opposition (1 Th 3:1-2). At the same time he must have sent Silas somewhere else in Macedonia (Acts 18:5), being willing to be left at Athens “alone” (1 Th 3:1). It is likely that Silas went at least to Philippi but possibly also to Berea. (5) Paul “left Athens and went to Corinth” (Acts 18:1). (6) Silas and Timothy joined Paul again in Corinth, bringing good news from the churches of Macedonia (Acts 18:5; 1 Th 3:6). (7) From Corinth, Paul wrote his two letters to the church at Thessalonica (1 Th 1:1; 2 Th 1:1; both of these letters come from “Paul, Silvanus [= Silas], and Timothy”). (ESV Study Bible, The: English Standard Version) Ray Pritchard on modern America and ancient Athens - In his book, Therefore Stand (written in 1945), Wilbur Smith has a chapter on Paul’s speech to the Areopagus (Acts 17:16-34). Along the way he comments on the similarity between ancient Athens and modern America. For all the obvious differences in culture and language, there is a similar approach to the problems of life.Professor Smith brings forth three evidences of that similarity that seem even more true a half-century later. He notes that the men of Athens worshiped the human intellect. They also loved newness and the endless discussion of new ideas. Finally, they valued tolerance and diversity as seen by their ever-expanding pantheon of gods. The same is true today. We too worship the human mind, love new ideas, and exalt tolerance as our highest virtue. What does such a worldview produce? When you worship intellect, you get educated arrogance. When you love newness, you get restless dissatisfaction. When you exalt tolerance, you get endless uncertainty—always seeking for the truth you can never seem to find. The more you travel around the world, the more common humanity seems to be. Athens knew everything that was knowable except the most important thing. She did not know God. Or what to do about her sins or where to find peace or how to discover the hope of heaven. That leads me to the following crucial point: It is possible to be highly educated and deeply religious and still be totally ignorant about God. Is that not an apt description of our own generation? To quote another writer, we have become a nation of “intellectual giants and moral pygmies.” We know more and more about the details and less and less about the meaning of life. (Acts 17:26-28 Empty on the Inside: How God Reveals Himself to Us) Acts 17:16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. his spirit. - Exodus 32:19,20; Numbers 25:6-11; 1 Ki 19:10,14; Job 32:2,3,18-20; Psalms 69:9; Psalms 119:136,158; Jeremiah 20:9; Micah 3:8; Mark 3:5; John 2:13; 2 Peter 2:7 William Ramsay - Athens and Corinth from St Paul: the Traveler and Roman Citizen Acts 17:4-9, 12-15 Men Who Turned the World Upside Down, Part 2 - John MacArthur Acts 17:16-34 God's Man Confronts Satan's City - John MacArthur Acts 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Athens City Plan WAITING AND WATCHING IN ATHENS Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens - Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy. Paul was waiting which is significant because it is a mark of one's character. While Paul waited, he watched. He did not waste his time, but reasoned in the synagogue and the agora daily as he waited for his co-workers. At Athens - In the map above, Paul the "Acropolis" was the elevated hill centrally located and the site of the most famous pagan temple, the Parthenon (pix of modern ruins; another pix reconstructed) which housed the most significant mythological figure, the goddess Athenae (recreation of this huge ivory and gold plated statue) Athens (Classic Athens-Wikipedia) - On this map note that the city of Athens was not on the coast but was about 5-7 miles inland from the port of Piraeus on the Saronic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. In ancient times, the Athenians fortified Piraeus and enclosed the road from this port to their city with two massive walls 50 feet high as depicted in the diagram above. Paul would have walked from the sea port of Piraeus through the western Dipylon Gate and continued straight to the marketplace or agora. The city state of Athens had reached its zenith as one of the leading cities of the world in 480-404 BC under the leadership of Pericles (lived 495-429 BC) from about 461 to 429 BC. For a historical context, during the time of Athen's golden age the events recorded in the Book of Nehemiah were occurring (445-420 BC). In addition the post-exilic prophets ministered and wrote their prophecies during this time of Athen's zenith - Haggai (about 520 BC), Zechariah (about 520 -518 BC), Malachi (about 450-400 BC). But almost 500 years later, by the time of the events of the book of Acts, Athens was in a period of decline (especially politically), although it was still recognized as a center of culture and education. While the glory of politics and commerce of Athens had faded, the city still maintained a famous university and numerous beautiful buildings, but it lacked the influence it once enjoyed. Athens was a city populated by "cultured pagans" who fed off of the worship of idols, novel ideas and philosophy. And on to this scene steps the great apostle Paul, one great man filled with the Spirit againt one great city ruled by demonic spirits. Who do you think will win this spiritual battle? Pictures of Athens: City map Painting of Acropolis John
Atos 17
Guzik wrote that "Paul seemed unable to preach a sermon without focusing on the resurrection of Jesus. For him, none of the Christian life made sense without the triumph of Jesus’ resurrection." Preaching (literally "gospelizing", giving the only good news)(2097)(euaggelizo/euangelizo from eu = good, well + aggéllo = proclaim, tell; English = evangelize) means Paul was repeatedly announcing the good news concerning Jesus and the resurrection. Euaggelizo was often used in the Septuagint for preaching a glad or joyful message (cf. 1Sa 31:9; 2Sa 1:20; 4:10). Euaggelizo in its original sense could be used to refer to a declaration of any kind of good news, but in the NT it (with 2 exceptions) refers especially to the glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God and of salvation obtained through Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Most of NT uses of euaggelizo are translated "preach" or "preach the gospel," whichever fits more smoothly into the context. Luke's uses of euaggelizo (In the other Gospel surprisingly it is used only once in Mt 11:5) Lk. 1:19; Lk. 2:10; Lk. 3:18; Lk. 4:18; Lk. 4:43; Lk. 7:22; Lk. 8:1; Lk. 9:6; Lk. 16:16; Lk. 20:1; Acts 5:42; Acts 8:4; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:25; Acts 8:35; Acts 8:40; Acts 10:36; Acts 11:20; Acts 13:32; Acts 14:7; Acts 14:15; Acts 14:21; Acts 15:35; Acts 16:10; Acts 17:18; Because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection - Of course in the Roman world to deny the Greco-Roman gods and advocate for the true and living God, was indeed strange dogma! The central truth of the Gospel was always at the forefront of Paul's mind and it should likewise be at the forefront of our presentation. Spurgeon said that in his sermons regardless of the particular text of the day, he would always make a "beeline for the Cross!"
Atos 17
Guzik - Many ancient observers noticed the religious character of Athens, and some thought that Athenians were the most religious of all people. But when Paul said this of the Athenians, he didn’t necessarily mean it in a positive way. Religion can lead one away from God, and if we trust in a false religion, it is little credit to say of us that we are “religious.” (ED: The most difficult and most resistant people for me to witness to are those who claim to be religious and practice a religion filled with rituals and non-biblical traditions which ensnare their hearts and serve as a "vaccination" so to speak preventing them from hearing the true Gospel.) NET Note - Paul, in typical Jewish Christian style, informs them of the true God, of whom their idols are an ignorant reflection. A T
Atos 17
Guzik summarizes Paul's argument - Paul went from knowing who God is (our Creator), to who we are (His offspring), to our responsibility before Him (to understand Him and worship Him in truth), to our accountability if we dishonor Him (judgment). (Enduring Word Bible Commentary – Acts) Having overlooked the times of ignorance - These cultured men were ignorant men concerning God! I think of brilliant men like Stephen Hawking who wise among men but are ignorant of the revealed truth of God! He passed away in 2018 so he is sadly no longer ignorant! God is merciful and long suffering and so has overlooked the times of ignorance, but now is declaring through the Gospel that it is time to repent, to change their minds and attitudes by turning to the living God and His glorious Gospel. The amazing truth is that no man would repent unless God gave him the gift of repentance, for Paul asks the religious person "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Ro 2:4+, cf Acts 11:18+, 2 Ti 2:25+) Earlier in Acts Paul made a similar statement that speaks of God's long suffering “In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways" (Acts 14:16+). In other words while God had allowed the nations to go their own ways, He had not left Himself without witness. In Romans Paul makes a statement similar to God's overlooking the times of ignorance... Whom (Jesus Christ - Ro 3:24) God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; (Ro 3:25-see explanation) Acts 17:30KJV has "God winked" but that is a poor translation giving a very wrong impression of God's "opinion" of sin! God's overlooking sins does not mean He "winks" at sin. Sin is still sin and still incurs guilt. The only way to have the slate cleaned of past (present and future) sins is to place one's faith in the Sin Bearer, Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29, 1 Peter 2:24-note, Isaiah 53:5-6+). John Stott - The Athenians have acknowledged in their altar inscription that they are ignorant of God, and Paul has been giving evidence of their ignorance. Now he declares such ignorance to be culpable. J