Acts 17:16-21 - Paul at Athens

In the previous verses, Silas and Timothy, who were in Berea, were instructed by Paul to join him in Athens. While waiting for their arrival, Paul was deeply disturbed and troubled in his spirit by what he saw surrounding him. To be exact, he was greatly distressed and was infuriated by what he saw. It was a city full of idols. And this was repulsive to Paul and his strong monotheistic conviction.

Athens was a key cultural and intellectual center of the Roman Empire. It was widely known for its magnificent art and architecture. Their art was expressed in their portrayals of the exploits of the gods and goddesses of the whole array of Greek pagan deities. The notable buildings there were mainly temples dedicated to those pagan gods.   

In his usual custom, verse 17 tells us Paul was in the synagogues discussing and persuading the Jews and God-fearers. He was also in the market place reasoning with those who were present there. Undoubtedly, he must be proving to his hearers about Christ the Messiah. Among Paul’s audience were Stoic and Epicurean philosophers. They represented the leading schools of philosophy.

The Epicureans believed that everything came from particles of matter known as atoms. They didn’t believe that there was life beyond. To them all humans, at death, return to matter. They saw deities as indifferent to humanity. They also deny providence of any sort. If a person had learned from the gods, that person would live a detached and peaceful life as the gods. He would live a life free from any passion, pain and any superstitious fear.

The Stoics on the other hand had a more lively view of God. They believed in divine providence. Being pantheists, they see the ultimate divine principles in all nature, including human beings.  They believe that the spark of divinity called the “logos” was the one cohesive rational principle that bound the order of the whole world together. To them humans realized their fullest potential when they lived by reason.

Paul was seen here discussing with these philosophers. The philosophies that they held made them conclude that Paul was an idle babbler. Paul was seen as someone without any depth of understanding who sporadically picked up little ideas here and there and passed them off as profound teachings. They couldn’t accept the teaching of the resurrection of Jesus at all. They were confused because it clashed with their philosophies.

So they took Paul to the Areopagus, a sort of a court located on a hill. This was not a trial. They were merely curious and wanted to inquire more of the teachings of Paul. So they brought him there to question him. Verse 21 reveals that the Athenians were curious and inquisitive people. They would spend lots of time in idle philosophies and hearing something or anything new.

Paul was a thoroughgoing witness. His fervency for God made him relentless in taking the message of the resurrected Christ everywhere. For Paul, there was no time to waste. Here while waiting for the arrival of his co-workers, he seized the opportunity and talked to the people. Like him, we should seize every opportunity to tell of our wonderful Lord!