Unveiling Paul's Preaching To The Athenians

TO WHOM IS PAUL SPEAKING?

In this post (and those to follow) I will walk through the Apostle to the Gentile's message he proclaimed to the heathen/pagan of his day. I will quote some verses, make some comments and continue through the passage. I do not pretend to know eveything or have all the answers but I do wish to make some observations. Some of which may be contradictory to the church "truth" you or I grew up on!

It is important to note that the Apostle to the Gentiles is speaking to men of Athens. Knowing who is the original audience is very significant when understanding scripture. So let's notice what kind of people (culturally speaking) Paul was speaking to.

Paul is waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive in Athens, he is moved in his spirit by seeing that the city was full of idols. He spends his days in the marketplace and synagogue preaching to all who will listen. These were the religious, the common man on the street, and the philosphers. 

One day he is preaching Jesus and the resurrection so they take him to the Areopagus, also known as the leadership council of Athens, Mars Hill (house of religion). Dr. Simmons notes "...was not simply a location but a gathering of a council of people overseeing the spiritual atmosphere of Athens." The Passion Ttranslation Notes 

Let's get more context with their explanation to Paul as to why they were taking him before the leaders of the city.

"'For you are introducing some things strange to our ears; so we would like to learn what these things are.'

Now all the Athenians and the local resident aliens have leisure for nothing but discussing or listening to the lastest thing." Acts 17:20, 21

These people spent their lives telling and listening of some new thing! They were evidently inquisitive and ever learning.

Paul begins speaking to them by saying 

"Athenian men, I observe how exceedingly reverent you are toward the daemonian in everything; For as I was walking along and looking over the objects of your devotions I even found an altar on which was inscribed,

TO A GOD UNKNOWN.

What you revere in ignorance, therefore, this I announce to you."...Acts 17:22, 23

As Paul walks the streets of Athens viewing the many idols and altars to the various gods he sees one to the unknown god. I don't want to put to much emphasis on the fact but will point out that the Athenians were actually worshiping the true God, they were just doing so without any knowledge of Him. Notice carefully what Paul says...

"The God who made the cosmos and everything in it, this one- being Lord of heaven and earth-does not dwell in sanctuaries made by hand; Needing nothing, neither is he aided by human hands-he who gives life and breath to all things; And he made every race of men of one, to live all over the face of the earth, appointing them their epochs and setting the boundaries of their habitations,

I want to be brief so I'll just make some points as to the content of Paul's message to pagans.

• He is the God who made ALL and He is Lord

• He does NOT dwell in buildings made by men

• He is NOT helped by men

• He gives LIFE and BREATH to all things

• He made every RACE from ONE man (Adam)

• He APPOINTED man's time to live on earth

• He SET the boundaries (nations)

*All scripture taken from A Translation David Bentley Hart