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<!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 17:22 Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/17-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/44_Act_17_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 17:22 - Paul Before the Areopagus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/17-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/17-22.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 22</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/17-21.htm" title="Acts 17:21">◄</a> Acts 17:22 <a href="/acts/17-23.htm" title="Acts 17:23">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/17.htm">New International Version</a> Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: &#8220People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. <a href="/nlt/acts/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, <a href="/esv/acts/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. <a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And Paul, having stood in the midst of the Areopagus, was saying, "Men, Athenians, I behold that in all things you are very religious. <a href="/kjv/acts/17.htm">King James Bible</a> Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. <a href="/nkjv/acts/17.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; <a href="/nasb_/acts/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. <a href="/nasb/acts/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, &#8220Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. <a href="/nasb77/acts/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. <a href="/lsb/acts/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. <a href="/amp/acts/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So Paul, standing in the center of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I observe [with every turn I make throughout the city] that you are very religious and devout in all respects. <a href="/csb/acts/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. <a href="/hcsb/acts/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: &#8220Men of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. <a href="/asv/acts/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that ye are very religious. <a href="/cev/acts/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So Paul stood up in front of the council and said: People of Athens, I see that you are very religious. <a href="/erv/acts/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are somewhat superstitious. <a href="/gwt/acts/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Paul stood in the middle of the court and said, "Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious. <a href="/gnt/acts/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> Paul stood up in front of the city council and said, "I see that in every way you Athenians are very religious. <a href="/isv/acts/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> So Paul stood up in front of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. <a href="/msb/acts/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, ?Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. <a href="/net/acts/17.htm">NET Bible</a> So Paul stood before the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. <a href="/nheb/acts/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, "You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things. <a href="/wbt/acts/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars-hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So Paul, taking his stand in the centre of the Areopagus, spoke as follows: "Men of Athens, I perceive that you are in every respect remarkably religious. <a href="/web/acts/17.htm">World English Bible</a> Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Paul, having stood in the midst of the Areopagus, said, “Men, Athenians, in all things I perceive you as over-religious; <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And Paul, having stood in the midst of the Areopagus, was saying, "Men, Athenians, I behold that in all things you are very religious. <a href="/ylt/acts/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Paul, having stood in the midst of the Areopagus, said, 'Men, Athenians, in all things I perceive you as over-religious; <a href="/slt/acts/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Paul having stood in the midst of Mars' hill, said, Men, Athenians, I see that in all things ye have a superstitious fear of divinity.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious. <a href="/cpdv/acts/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious. <a href="/nabre/acts/17.htm">New American Bible</a> Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said: “You Athenians, I see that in every respect you are very religious. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When Paul stood in the court at Ar-eop’a- gus, he said, Men of Athens, I see that above all things you are extravagant in the worship of idols. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And when Paulus arose in Arios-Pagos, he said, “Men, Athenians, I see that in all things you excel in the worship of daemons.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. <a href="/godbey/acts/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said, Athenian men, I perceive that in all things you are very religious. <a href="/haweis/acts/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus said, Ye men of Athens, I observe that in all things ye are too much devoted to the worship of d锟絤ons. <a href="/mace/acts/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Then Paul being plac'd in the middle of the Areopagus, said thus, "I observe, O Athenians, that you are in a manner too devout. <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So Paul, taking his stand in the centre of the Areopagus, spoke as follows: "Men of Athens, I perceive that you are in every respect remarkably religious. <a href="/worrell/acts/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And Paul, having taken his stand in the midst of Mars Hill, said, "Men of Athens, in all respects I observe that ye are more than usually regardful of the deities; <a href="/worsley/acts/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Then Paul stood up in the midst of the Areopagus and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that you are indeed over-much religious: <a href="/parallel/acts/17-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5778" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Paul Before the Areopagus</a> 21Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas. 22<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Then</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/3972.htm" title="3972: Paulos (N-NMS) -- Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.">Paul</a> <a href="/greek/2476.htm" title="2476: Statheis (V-APP-NMS) -- A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.">stood up</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3319.htm" title="3319: mesō (Adj-DNS) -- Middle, in the middle, between, in the midst of. From meta; middle (neuter) noun).">the meeting</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/697.htm" title="697: Areiou (N-GMS) -- From Ares and a derivative of pegnumi; rock of Ares, a place in Athens.">Areopagus</a> <a href="/greek/697.htm" title="697: Pagou (N-GMS) -- From Ares and a derivative of pegnumi; rock of Ares, a place in Athens."></a> <a href="/greek/5346.htm" title="5346: ephē (V-IIA-3S) -- To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.">and said,</a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: Andres (N-VMP) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">“Men</a> <a href="/greek/117.htm" title="117: Athēnaioi (Adj-VMP) -- Athenian, belonging to Athens. From Athenai; an Athenoean or inhabitant of Athenae.">of Athens,</a> <a href="/greek/2334.htm" title="2334: theōrō (V-PIA-1S) -- From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).">I see</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">in</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panta (Adj-ANP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">every way</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you are</a> <a href="/greek/1174.htm" title="1174: deisidaimonesterous (Adj-AMP-C) -- The compound of a derivative of the base of deilos and daimon; more religious than others.">very religious.</a> 23For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/44-19.htm">Isaiah 44:19-20</a> And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” / He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-5</a> For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.” <a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a> So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist. <a href="/romans/1-19.htm">Romans 1:19-23</a> For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. / For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Deuteronomy 4:28</a> And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. <a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a> Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ... <a href="/1_corinthians/10-19.htm">1 Corinthians 10:19-20</a> Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. <a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">Isaiah 40:18-20</a> To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him? / To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? / One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. <a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a> You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, <a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a> The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ... <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a> Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. <a href="/2_kings/17-29.htm">2 Kings 17:29-31</a> Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places. / The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, / the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim. <a href="/isaiah/46-5.htm">Isaiah 46:5-7</a> To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles. <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:9</a> For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God <a href="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11-13</a> Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. / Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD. / “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then Paul stood in the middle of Mars' hill, and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious.Mars'-hill.<a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Acts 17:19</a> And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?I perceive.<a href="/acts/17-16.htm">Acts 17:16</a> Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.<a href="/acts/19-35.htm">Acts 19:35</a> And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?<a href="/acts/25-19.htm">Acts 25:19</a> But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Areopagus</a> <a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Are-Op'agus</a> <a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Athenians</a> <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">Athens</a> <a href="/acts/4-7.htm">Centre</a> <a href="/john/10-21.htm">Demon</a> <a href="/acts/16-38.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/acts/16-29.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/john/21-1.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Mars</a> <a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Meeting</a> <a href="/acts/16-25.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/acts/4-7.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/acts/16-21.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/luke/12-45.htm">Overmuch</a> <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/acts/13-43.htm">Religious</a> <a href="/john/16-8.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-13.htm">Respects</a> <a href="/acts/14-10.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/acts/17-12.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/acts/16-36.htm">Way</a> <a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/17-34.htm">Areopagus</a> <a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Are-Op'agus</a> <a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Athenians</a> <a href="/acts/18-1.htm">Athens</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-33.htm">Centre</a> <a href="/matthew/9-32.htm">Demon</a> <a href="/acts/18-9.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/acts/21-11.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/acts/23-25.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/acts/19-26.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/genesis/10-30.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Mars</a> <a href="/acts/19-32.htm">Meeting</a> <a href="/acts/20-7.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/acts/17-33.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/acts/21-21.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-7.htm">Overmuch</a> <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/acts/27-10.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Religious</a> <a href="/acts/21-20.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-14.htm">Respects</a> <a href="/acts/25-9.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/acts/21-16.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Way</a> <a href="/acts/17-23.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 17</div>1. <a href="/acts/17-1.htm">Paul preaches at Thessalonica, where some believe,</a> 5. <a href="/acts/17-5.htm">and others persecute him.</a> 10. <a href="/acts/17-10.htm">He is sent to Berea, and preaches there.</a> 13. <a href="/acts/17-13.htm">Being persecuted by Jews from Thessalonica,</a> 16. <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">he comes to Athens, and disputes and preaches the living God, to them unknown;</a> 32. <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">whereby, though some mock, many are converted unto Christ.</a> </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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This setting highlights the intellectual and cultural significance of Athens, known for its philosophers like Socrates and Plato. Paul's presence here indicates the importance of his message, as he addresses a group known for their pursuit of wisdom and debate. The Areopagus was a place where new ideas were examined, making it a fitting location for Paul to present the gospel.and said, “Men of Athens, Addressing the "Men of Athens" directly, Paul acknowledges his audience, which likely included philosophers, scholars, and city leaders. Athens was a center of learning and culture in the ancient world, renowned for its contributions to philosophy, art, and democracy. By engaging with the Athenians, Paul demonstrates his willingness to meet people where they are, using their cultural context as a starting point for his message.I see that in every way you are very religious. Paul observes the Athenians' religiosity, noting their numerous altars and temples dedicated to various gods. This statement is both an acknowledgment of their spiritual awareness and a subtle critique of their idolatry. The Athenians' religious practices reflect a deep-seated desire to understand the divine, yet they lack the knowledge of the one true God. Paul's approach is strategic, as he uses their existing beliefs as a bridge to introduce the gospel. This method aligns with his broader missionary strategy of becoming "all things to all people" (<a href="/1_corinthians/9-22.htm">1 Corinthians 9:22</a>) to win them to Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle and missionary who is speaking to the Athenians. Known for his missionary journeys and his role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. 2. <a href="/topical/a/areopagus.htm">Areopagus</a> A prominent rock outcropping in Athens, which served as a meeting place for the council of elders and a court. It was a center for philosophical discussions and debates. 3. <a href="/topical/m/men_of_athens.htm">Men of Athens</a> The audience Paul addresses, known for their interest in philosophy and religion. Athens was a hub of intellectual and cultural activity in the ancient world. 4. <a href="/topical/r/religious_observance.htm">Religious Observance</a> Paul notes the Athenians' religiosity, which is evident in their numerous altars and idols, reflecting their search for spiritual truth. 5. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_context.htm">Cultural Context</a> The Athenians' religious practices and philosophical pursuits provide a backdrop for Paul's message about the "unknown god."<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_cultural_context.htm">Understanding Cultural Context</a> Paul’s approach in Athens shows the importance of understanding and engaging with the cultural context when sharing the Gospel. <a href="/topical/a/addressing_idolatry.htm">Addressing Idolatry</a> Like Paul, Christians today should be aware of modern forms of idolatry and address them with truth and compassion. <a href="/topical/e/engaging_with_respect.htm">Engaging with Respect</a> Paul’s respectful acknowledgment of the Athenians' religiosity serves as a model for engaging with people of different beliefs. <a href="/topical/r/revealing_the_unknown_god.htm">Revealing the Unknown God</a> Christians are called to reveal the truth of God to those who are searching, just as Paul introduced the Athenians to the true God. <a href="/topical/u/using_common_ground.htm">Using Common Ground</a> Finding common ground, as Paul did with the Athenians' altar to an unknown god, can be an effective way to introduce the Gospel.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 17</a> <a href="/q/how_does_culture_shape_church_beliefs.htm">How does culture influence church practices and beliefs?</a> <a href="/q/proof_of_athens'_'unknown_god'_altar.htm">Acts 17:22–23 – Is there historical or archaeological proof of an altar dedicated “to an Unknown God” in ancient Athens? </a> <a href="/q/why_do_religious_visions_differ_culturally.htm">Why do hallucinations of religious figures vary between cultures?</a> <a href="/q/what_unknown_god_do_you_worship.htm">What is the unknown god you worship in ignorance?</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>(22) Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill.--Better, Areopagus, as before. The Court sat in the open air on benches forming three sides of a quadrangle. A short flight of sixteen steps, cut in the rock, led from the agora to the plateau where the Court held its sittings. If it was actually sitting at the time, the temptation to have recourse to it, if only to cause a sensation and terrify the strange disputant, may well have been irresistible. As the Apostle stood there, he looked from the slight elevation on the temple of the Eumenides below him, that of Theseus to the east, and facing him on the Acropolis, the Parthenon. On the height of that hill stood the colossal bronze statue of Athena as the tutelary goddess of her beloved Athens, below and all around him were statues and altars. The city was "very full of idols."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 22. - And for then, A.V.; the Areopagus for Mars hill, A.V.; in all things I perceive that for I perceive that in all things, A.V.; somewhat for too, A.V. In the midst is simply a local description. He stood in the midst of the excavated quadrangle, while his hearers probably sat on the scats all round. Ye men of Athena. The Demosthenes of the Church uses the identical address - Ἄνδρες Ἀθηναῖοι ( which the great orator used in his stirring political speeches to the Athenian people. Somewhat superstitious. There is a difference of opinion among commentators whether these words imply praise or blame. Chrysostom, followed by many others, takes it as said in the way of encomium, and understands the word δεισιδαιμονεστέρους ασ equivalent to εὐλαβεστέρους, very religious, more than commonly religious. And so Bishop Jacobson ('Speaker's Commentary'), who observes that the substantive δεισδαιμονία is used five times by Josephus, and always in the sense of "religion," or "piety." On the other hand, the Vulgate (superstitiosiores), the English Versions, Erasmus, Luther, Calvin, etc., take the word in its most common classical sense of "superstitious;" and it weighs for something towards determining St. Luke's use of the word that Plutarch uses δεισιδαιμονία always in a bad sense, of superstition, as in his life of Alexander and elsewhere, and in his tract 'De Superstitione' (Δεισιδαιμονία). Perhaps the conclusion is that St. Paul, having his spirit stirred by seeing the city full of idols, determined to attack that spirit in the Athenian people which led to so much idolatry; which he did in the speech which follows. But, acting with his usual wisdom, he used an inoffensive term at the outset of his speech. He could not mean to praise them for that δεισιδαιμονία which it was the whole object of his sermon to condemn. Josephus ('Contr. Apion.,' 1:12) calls the Athenians τοὺς εὐσεβεστάτους τῶν Ἐλλήνων, the most religious of all Greeks (Howson). <a href="/commentaries/acts/17-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. Paul Παῦλος (Paulos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3972.htm">Strong's 3972: </a> Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle. stood up Σταθεὶς (Statheis) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2476.htm">Strong's 2476: </a> A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications. before μέσῳ (mesō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3319.htm">Strong's 3319: </a> Middle, in the middle, between, in the midst of. From meta; middle (neuter) noun). the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Areopagus Ἀρείου (Areiou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_697.htm">Strong's 697: </a> From Ares and a derivative of pegnumi; rock of Ares, a place in Athens. [and] said, ἔφη (ephē) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5346.htm">Strong's 5346: </a> To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say. “Men Ἄνδρες (Andres) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_435.htm">Strong's 435: </a> A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. [of] Athens, Ἀθηναῖοι (Athēnaioi) Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_117.htm">Strong's 117: </a> Athenian, belonging to Athens. From Athenai; an Athenoean or inhabitant of Athenae. I see θεωρῶ (theōrō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2334.htm">Strong's 2334: </a> From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge). that ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. in κατὰ (kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). every way πάντα (panta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. you [are] ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. very religious. δεισιδαιμονεστέρους (deisidaimonesterous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural - Comparative <a href="/greek/strongs_1174.htm">Strong's 1174: </a> The compound of a derivative of the base of deilos and daimon; more religious than others. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/17-22.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 17:22 Paul stood in the middle (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/17-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 17:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 17:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/17-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 17:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 17:23" /></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>