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Acts 17:30 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 17:30 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/17-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/44_Act_17_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 17:30 - Paul Before the Areopagus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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but now commandeth all men every where to repent:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Therefore God overlooked <i>and</i> disregarded the <i>former</i> ages of ignorance; <i>but</i> now He commands all <i>people</i> everywhere to repent [that is, to change their old way of thinking, to regret their past sins, and to seek God’s purpose for their lives],<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In the past, God forgave all this because people did not know what they were doing. But now he says that everyone everywhere must turn to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"God overlooked the times when people didn't know any better. But now he commands everyone everywhere to turn to him and change the way they think and act.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />God has overlooked the times when people did not know him, but now he commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Though God has overlooked those times of ignorance, he now commands everyone everywhere to repent, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Those times of ignorance God viewed with indulgence. But now He commands all men everywhere to repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />therefore indeed God, having overlooked the times of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to convert,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />So indeed God, having overlooked the times of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> the times, indeed, therefore, of the ignorance God having overlooked, doth now command all men everywhere to reform,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Therefore truly, God having overlooked the times of ignorance, now announces to all men everywhere to repent:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And God indeed having winked at the times of this ignorance, now declareth unto men, that all should every where do penance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />God has overlooked the times of ignorance, but now he demands that all people everywhere repent<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the times of ignorance God has made to pass, and at this time he has commanded all men, everywhere, to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“For God has banished the times of deception, and at this time he commands all the children of men: 'Everyone in every place shall return to God.'”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Yet the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now, he commands all men everywhere to repent:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then indeed God winking at the times of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />These times indeed of ignorance God then overlooked; but he now commands all men in every place to repent:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />God has been pleas'd to over-look this state of ignorance: but now he enjoins all men every where to repent:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Those times of ignorance God viewed with indulgence. But now He commands all men everywhere to repent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />God, therefore, having overlooked the time of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Wherefore though God overlooked the times of <i>this</i> ignorance, He now requireth all men every where to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/17-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5873" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Paul Before the Areopagus</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/3303.htm" title="3303: men (Prtcl) -- A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de.">Although</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/5237.htm" title="5237: hyperidōn (V-APA-NMS) -- To overlook, take no notice of, disregard. From huper and eido; to overlook, i.e. Not punish.">overlooked</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/52.htm" title="52: agnoias (N-GFS) -- Ignorance, inadvertence, sometimes with the idea of willful blindness. From agnoeo; ignorance.">ignorance</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of</a> <a href="/greek/5550.htm" title="5550: chronous (N-AMP) -- A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.">earlier times,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3568.htm" title="3568: nyn (Adv) -- A primary particle of present time; now; also as noun or adjective present or immediate."></a> <a href="/greek/3853.htm" title="3853: parangellei (V-PIA-3S) -- To notify, command, charge, entreat solemnly. From para and the base of aggelos; to transmit a message, i.e. to enjoin.">He now commands</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantas (Adj-AMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpois (N-DMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">people</a> <a href="/greek/3837.htm" title="3837: pantachou (Adv) -- Everywhere, in all places. Genitive case of a presumed derivative of pas; universally.">everywhere</a> <a href="/greek/3340.htm" title="3340: metanoein (V-PNA) -- From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider.">to repent.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">31</span>For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Romans 2:4</a></span><br />Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-47.htm">Luke 24:47</a></span><br />and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-15.htm">Mark 1:15</a></span><br />“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2</a></span><br />and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30</a></span><br />Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-4.htm">1 Timothy 2:4</a></span><br />who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-10.htm">2 Corinthians 7:10</a></span><br />Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25</a></span><br />God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a></span><br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm">Jeremiah 18:7-8</a></span><br />At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/3-4.htm">Jonah 3:4-10</a></span><br />On the first day of his journey, Jonah set out into the city and proclaimed, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!” / And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13</a></span><br />He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a></span><br />“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:</p><p class="hdg">the times.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16</a></b></br> Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-21.htm">Psalm 50:21</a></b></br> These <i>things</i> hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether <i>such an one</i> as thyself: <i>but</i> I will reprove thee, and set <i>them</i> in order before thine eyes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28</a></b></br> And even as they did not like to retain God in <i>their</i> knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;</p><p class="hdg">but.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a></b></br> Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/11-18.htm">Acts 11:18</a></b></br> When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/20-21.htm">Acts 20:21</a></b></br> Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/13-24.htm">Change</a> <a href="/acts/17-15.htm">Command</a> <a href="/luke/8-25.htm">Commandeth</a> <a href="/john/15-10.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/acts/17-7.htm">Declaring</a> <a href="/acts/14-22.htm">Everywhere</a> <a href="/acts/17-25.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/acts/17-23.htm">Ignorance</a> <a href="/acts/17-28.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/colossians/2-23.htm">Indulgence</a> <a href="/acts/16-36.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Overlooked</a> <a href="/acts/16-8.htm">Past</a> <a href="/acts/8-22.htm">Reform</a> <a href="/acts/8-22.htm">Repent</a> <a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Times</a> <a href="/acts/13-37.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Viewed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Change</a> <a href="/acts/19-13.htm">Command</a> <a href="/genesis/18-19.htm">Commandeth</a> <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/acts/19-18.htm">Declaring</a> <a href="/acts/21-28.htm">Everywhere</a> <a href="/romans/4-5.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/romans/11-25.htm">Ignorance</a> <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/acts/24-23.htm">Indulgence</a> <a href="/acts/20-13.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Overlooked</a> <a href="/acts/20-16.htm">Past</a> <a href="/revelation/2-16.htm">Reform</a> <a href="/acts/26-20.htm">Repent</a> <a href="/acts/20-18.htm">Times</a> <a href="/acts/27-21.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/numbers/32-9.htm">Viewed</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/17-1.htm">Paul preaches at Thessalonica, where some believe,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/17-5.htm">and others persecute him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/17-10.htm">He is sent to Berea, and preaches there.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/17-13.htm">Being persecuted by Jews from Thessalonica,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/17-16.htm">he comes to Athens, and disputes and preaches the living God, to them unknown;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/17-32.htm">whereby, though some mock, many are converted unto Christ.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The "ignorance of earlier times" refers to the periods before the revelation of the Gospel, when Gentiles were not held accountable for their lack of knowledge about the one true God. This reflects God's patience and forbearance, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25</a>, where God "passed over the sins previously committed." Theologically, this highlights God's mercy and the progressive revelation of His plan for salvation. Historically, the "earlier times" could refer to the pre-Christian era when paganism and idolatry were prevalent.<p><b>He now commands all people everywhere to repent</b><br>This phrase marks a significant shift in God's dealings with humanity. The command to "repent" is universal, extending beyond the Jewish people to include all nations. This aligns with the Great Commission in <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19</a>, where Jesus instructs His disciples to make disciples of all nations. The call to repentance is central to the Gospel message, as seen in <a href="/mark/1-15.htm">Mark 1:15</a>, where Jesus begins His ministry with the call to "repent and believe the Gospel." Culturally, this was a radical message for the Athenians, who were steeped in philosophy and polytheism. Theologically, repentance involves a change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and toward God, as emphasized in <a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>, which states that God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, Paul is addressing the people of Athens at the Areopagus, a prominent rock outcropping located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. He is known for his missionary journeys and his role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/athens.htm">Athens</a></b><br>A major city in ancient Greece, known for its rich history in philosophy, arts, and democracy. It was a center of learning and culture during Paul's time.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/areopagus.htm">Areopagus</a></b><br>A council or court in Athens where matters of law, philosophy, and religion were discussed. Paul uses this platform to introduce the Athenians to the Christian God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/repentance.htm">Repentance</a></b><br>A central theme in Paul's message, calling for a change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and towards God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/ignorance_of_earlier_times.htm">Ignorance of Earlier Times</a></b><br>Refers to the period before the revelation of Jesus Christ, when people were unaware of the full truth of God's plan for salvation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_forbearance.htm">God's Patience and Forbearance</a></b><br>God, in His mercy, overlooked past ignorance, showing His patience and desire for all to come to the knowledge of truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/universal_call_to_repentance.htm">Universal Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The command to repent is not limited to a specific group but extends to all people everywhere, emphasizing the universal nature of the Gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/change_of_mind_and_heart.htm">Change of Mind and Heart</a></b><br>Repentance involves a transformation of one's mind and heart, turning away from sin and towards God, which is essential for a relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/urgency_of_the_message.htm">Urgency of the Message</a></b><br>The call to repentance is immediate and urgent, as it is a command from God, not merely a suggestion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_believer.htm">Role of the Believer</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, believers are called to share this message of repentance and salvation with others, following Paul's example.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_godand#8217;s_rule_coexist_with_free_will.htm">Can God's sovereignty coexist with human free will?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_hyper-calvinism.htm">What defines Hyper-Calvinism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_brigham_young.htm">What does the Bible say about ignorance of sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_it_mean_to_be_predestined.htm">What does it mean to be predestined?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">And the times of this ignorance God winked at.</span>--Better, perhaps, <span class= "ital">overlooked, </span>the English phrase, though vivid, being somewhat too familiar, and suggesting; strictly taken, not merely tolerance, but connivance and concurrence. The thought is one in which St. Paul manifestly found comfort. He sees in that ignorance a mitigation of the guilt, and therefore of the punishment due to the heathen world. The past history of the world had shown a praetermission of the sins, for which, on the condition of repentance, men were now offered a full remission. (See Note on <a href="/romans/3-25.htm" title="Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;">Romans 3:25</a>.) In thus teaching he was reproducing what our Lord had taught as to the servant who "knew not his Lord's will," and should therefore be beaten, but with "few stripes." (See Note on <a href="/luke/12-48.htm" title="But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For to whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.">Luke 12:48</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">And now commandeth all men every where to repent.</span>--At this point the feelings of both Stoics and Epicureans would almost inevitably undergo a change. The latter might regret the mistakes he had made in his search after the <span class= "ital">maximum</span> of enjoyment, but a change such as the Greek for "repentance" implied--new aims and purposes, loathing of the past and efforts for the future--was altogether alien to his thoughts. From the Stoics, as measured by Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, better things might perhaps have been expected, but the doctrine of Necessity, which entered largely into popular Stoicism, blunted their sense of responsibility. They accepted the consequences of their actions with a serene apathy; for the most part, they gave thanks, as the philosophic Emperor did, that they were not as other men, and that the events of their life had led them to an ethical completeness; but the idea of abhorring themselves, and repenting in dust and ashes, had not as yet dawned on the Stoic's thoughts. (<span class= "ital">Meditt.</span> i. 1-16.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 30.</span> - The <span class="accented">times of ignorance therefore God overlooked</span> for <span class="accented">and the times of this ignorance God winked at</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">he commandeth</span> for <span class="accented">commandeth</span>, A.V.; men for <span class="accented">all</span> men, A.V.; <span class="accented">that they should all everywhere repent</span> for <span class="accented">everywhere to repent</span>, A.V. and T.R. <span class="cmt_word">The times of ignorance</span>; perhaps with reference to ver. 23, and also implying that all the idolatry, of which he had spoken in ver. 29, arose from ignorance. <span class="cmt_word">God overlooked</span>; or, as it is idiomatically expressed in the A.V., <span class="accented">winked at</span>; made as if he did not see it; "kept silence," as it is said in <a href="/psalms/50-21.htm">Psalm 50:21</a>; made no move to punish it. <span class="cmt_word">That they should all everywhere</span>. The gospel is for the whole world- "Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (<a href="/romans/10-18.htm">Romans 10:18</a>); "Preach the gospel to every creature" (<a href="/mark/16-15.htm">Mark 16:15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Repent</span>. The key-note of the gospel (<a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2</a>; <a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">Matthew 4:17</a>; <a href="/acts/20-21.htm">Acts 20:21</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/17-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Although</span><br /><span class="grk">μὲν</span> <span class="translit">(men)</span><br /><span class="parse">Particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3303.htm">Strong's 3303: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="grk">Θεὸς</span> <span class="translit">(Theos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">overlooked</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑπεριδὼν</span> <span class="translit">(hyperidōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5237.htm">Strong's 5237: </a> </span><span class="str2">To overlook, take no notice of, disregard. From huper and eido; to overlook, i.e. Not punish.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῆς</span> <span class="translit">(tēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ignorance</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγνοίας</span> <span class="translit">(agnoias)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_52.htm">Strong's 52: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ignorance, inadvertence, sometimes with the idea of willful blindness. From agnoeo; ignorance.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="grk">Τοὺς</span> <span class="translit">(Tous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[earlier] times,</span><br /><span class="grk">χρόνους</span> <span class="translit">(chronous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5550.htm">Strong's 5550: </a> </span><span class="str2">A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He now commands</span><br /><span class="grk">παραγγέλλει</span> <span class="translit">(parangellei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3853.htm">Strong's 3853: </a> </span><span class="str2">To notify, command, charge, entreat solemnly. From para and the base of aggelos; to transmit a message, i.e. to enjoin.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="grk">πάντας</span> <span class="translit">(pantas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνθρώποις</span> <span class="translit">(anthrōpois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">everywhere</span><br /><span class="grk">πανταχοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(pantachou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3837.htm">Strong's 3837: </a> </span><span class="str2">Everywhere, in all places. Genitive case of a presumed derivative of pas; universally.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to repent.</span><br /><span class="grk">μετανοεῖν</span> <span class="translit">(metanoein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3340.htm">Strong's 3340: </a> </span><span class="str2">From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/17-30.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/17-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 17:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 17:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/17-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 17:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 17:31" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>