MPV Commentary

16 Now while Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he became deeply disturbed by seeing that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned with them at the synagogue, explaining that they were a people who worshiped many gods without knowing the true God.

18 One day, as Paul was walking through the market, he noticed some Epicureans and Stoics debating together. He joined their conversation and asked, "What is this I hear about you? What are these strange ideas you're discussing?"

19 They replied, "We've been talking about this unknown god." So Paul took advantage of the opportunity to explain that the God they were looking for was the one he had come to tell them about.

20 Some of the Epicureans and Stoics sneered at him, but others said, "Let's hear more about this new teaching." 21 So Paul stood up in front of the Areopagus, a gathering of prominent citizens, and began to speak:

22 "Men of Athens! I see that you are very religious. You worship many gods, but there is one God who created the world and everything in it. He doesn't live in temples made by human hands.

23 "As for the unknown god you've been discussing, he's the one we're talking about. He's the one who gives life to all people everywhere. 24 He's not far from any of us, because in him we live and move and have our being.

25 "Some of your own poets have said this: 'We are his offspring.' 26 Since we are God's children, we shouldn't think that he is like gold or silver or stone, an image made by human hands. 27 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

28 "He has set a day when he will judge the world with justice, and he has appointed a man to be his judge. He has given proof of this by raising him from the dead."

29 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some mocked Paul, but others said, "We'll hear you again on this." 30 So Paul left them.

31 However, some men were interested in what he had to say and became followers. They included Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, who was also one of his converts.

32-34 The rest of the people rejected Paul's message, but he continued to preach about Jesus Christ and the resurrection from the dead. He remained in Athens for some time, teaching and preaching to anyone who would listen.

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