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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 17:27 God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/17-27.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/44_Act_17_27.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 17:27 - Paul Before the Areopagus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." /><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/17-27.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/17-27.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 27</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="/ad7.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/17-26.htm" title="Acts 17:26">◄</a> Acts 17:27 <a href="/acts/17-28.htm" title="Acts 17:28">►</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> God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. <a href="/nlt/acts/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. <a href="/esv/acts/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, <a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> to seek God, if perhaps indeed they might palpate for Him, and might find Him. And indeed, He is not far from each one of us. <a href="/kjv/acts/17.htm">King James Bible</a> That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: <a href="/nkjv/acts/17.htm">New King James Version</a> so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; <a href="/nasb_/acts/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> that they would seek God, if perhaps they might feel around for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; <a href="/nasb/acts/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; <a href="/nasb77/acts/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; <a href="/lsb/acts/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; <a href="/amp/acts/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> This was so that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grasp for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. <a href="/csb/acts/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. <a href="/hcsb/acts/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. <a href="/asv/acts/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: <a href="/cev/acts/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn't far from any of us, <a href="/erv/acts/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: <a href="/gwt/acts/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He has done this so that they would look for God, somehow reach for him, and find him. In fact, he is never far from any one of us. <a href="/gnt/acts/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> He did this so that they would look for him, and perhaps find him as they felt around for him. Yet God is actually not far from any one of us; <a href="/isv/acts/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> so that they might look for God, somehow reach for him, and find him. Of course, he is never far from any one of us. <a href="/msb/acts/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The Lord intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. <a href="/net/acts/17.htm">NET Bible</a> so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. <a href="/nheb/acts/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> that they should seek God, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. <a href="/wbt/acts/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from every one of us: <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> that they might seek God, if perhaps they could grope for Him and find Him. Yes, though He is not far from any one of us. <a href="/web/acts/17.htm">World English Bible</a> that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> to seek the LORD, if perhaps they felt after Him and found, though, indeed, He is not far from each one of us, <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> to seek God, if perhaps indeed they might palpate for Him, and might find Him. And indeed, He is not far from each one of us. <a href="/ylt/acts/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> to seek the Lord, if perhaps they did feel after Him and find, -- though, indeed, He is not far from each one of us, <a href="/slt/acts/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> To seek the Lord, if perchance indeed they have felt for him, and found, although not being far from each one of us:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> That they should seek God, if happily they may feel after him or find him, although he be not far from every one of us: <a href="/cpdv/acts/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us. <a href="/nabre/acts/17.htm">New American Bible</a> so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So that they should seek and search after God, and find him by means of his creations, because he is not far from any one of us: <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “So that they would be seeking and inquiring after God; and they may find him by his creation, because also he is not far from everyone of us.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> that they might seek for God, if perhaps they would feel after him, and find him, although, indeed, he is not far from every one of us. <a href="/godbey/acts/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> that they should seek God, if perhaps indeed they might feel after him, and find him, though not being far from each one of you. <a href="/haweis/acts/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> that they should seek the Lord, if indeed they might haply grope him out, and find him, though truly he is not far from any individual of us: <a href="/mace/acts/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> by which they might enquire, and by due reflection investigate the supreme being, although he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> that they might seek God, if perhaps they could grope for Him and find Him. Yes, though He is not far from any one of us. <a href="/worrell/acts/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> that they should seek God, if, perhaps, they might feel after Him, and find Him, although, in truth, He is not far from each one of us; <a href="/worsley/acts/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> that they might seek the Lord, if possibly they might trace Him, and find Him: though indeed He is not far from every one of us. <a href="/parallel/acts/17-27.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=5840" 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> …26From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. 27<a href="/greek/2212.htm" title="2212: zētein (V-PNA) -- To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.">God intended that they would seek</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- 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: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">Him</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/687.htm" title="687: ara (Conj) -- A form of ara, denoting an interrogation to which a negative answer is presumed.">and perhaps</a> <a href="/greek/1065.htm" title="1065: ge (Prtcl) -- A primary particle of emphasis or qualification."></a> <a href="/greek/5584.htm" title="5584: psēlaphēseian (V-AOA-3P) -- From the base of psallo; to manipulate, i.e. Verify by contact; figuratively, to search for.">reach out for</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heuroien (V-AOA-3P) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">find Him,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">though</a> <a href="/greek/1065.htm" title="1065: ge (Prtcl) -- A primary particle of emphasis or qualification."></a> <a href="/greek/5225.htm" title="5225: hyparchonta (V-PPA-AMS) -- To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).">He is</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/3112.htm" title="3112: makran (Adj-AFS) -- At a distance, far away, remote, alien. Feminine accusative case singular of makros; at a distance.">far</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/1538.htm" title="1538: hekastou (Adj-GMS) -- Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.">each</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: henos (Adj-GMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">one</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">of us.</a> 28‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’…<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="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a> You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29</a> But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. <a href="/psalms/145-18.htm">Psalm 145:18</a> The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. <a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6</a> Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. <a href="/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17</a> I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a> Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a> And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. <a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a> Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. <a href="/romans/1-19.htm">Romans 1:19-20</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. <a href="/john/4-23.htm">John 4:23-24</a> But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. / God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” <a href="/psalms/14-2.htm">Psalm 14:2</a> The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. <a href="/psalms/53-2.htm">Psalm 53:2</a> God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. <a href="/1_chronicles/28-9.htm">1 Chronicles 28:9</a> As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-2.htm">2 Chronicles 15:2</a> So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. <a href="/isaiah/45-19.htm">Isaiah 45:19</a> I have not spoken in secret, from a place in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in a wasteland.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I say what is right.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:they.<a href="/acts/15-17.htm">Acts 15:17</a> That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.<a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Psalm 19:1-6</a> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork… <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a> For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:he be.<a href="/acts/14-17.htm">Acts 14:17</a> Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.<a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27</a> But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?<a href="/psalms/139-1.htm">Psalm 139:1-13</a> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/17-15.htm">Far</a> <a href="/john/20-27.htm">Feel</a> <a href="/acts/17-9.htm">Find</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-14.htm">Grope</a> <a href="/acts/5-39.htm">Haply</a> <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/acts/17-17.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/acts/16-35.htm">Order</a> <a href="/acts/8-22.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/acts/8-31.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/john/20-27.htm">Reach</a> <a href="/acts/15-17.htm">Search</a> <a href="/acts/15-17.htm">Seek</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/20-4.htm">Far</a> <a href="/romans/9-15.htm">Feel</a> <a href="/acts/21-34.htm">Find</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-29.htm">Grope</a> <a href="/acts/27-29.htm">Haply</a> <a href="/acts/23-6.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/acts/17-28.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/acts/18-10.htm">Order</a> <a href="/romans/1-10.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/acts/20-16.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/acts/20-16.htm">Reach</a> <a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Search</a> <a href="/acts/19-39.htm">Seek</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>God intended that they would seek Him This phrase highlights God's sovereign purpose in creation and history. The idea that God desires humanity to seek Him is rooted in the biblical narrative, beginning with the creation of man in Genesis. The fall of man introduced a separation from God, but throughout Scripture, God consistently calls His people to return to Him. This seeking is not merely a passive acknowledgment but an active pursuit, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29</a>, where it is stated that if you seek the Lord with all your heart and soul, you will find Him. The intention of God is that all nations and peoples would come to know Him, as reflected in the Great Commission (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>).and perhaps reach out for Him The imagery of reaching out suggests a groping or feeling after God, akin to a blind person searching for something in the dark. This reflects the spiritual blindness of humanity due to sin, as described in <a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a>. Despite this blindness, God has made Himself known through His creation (<a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a>) and through His Word. The use of "perhaps" indicates human free will and the possibility of rejection, yet it also underscores God's grace in making Himself accessible. This reaching out is an act of faith, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a>, which states that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.and find Him Finding God is the culmination of the seeking and reaching out process. This is not merely an intellectual discovery but a relational encounter with the living God. <a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a> promises that those who seek God with all their heart will find Him. The assurance of finding God is rooted in His faithfulness and desire for relationship with His creation. This finding is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>). Through Christ, believers have direct access to God, as emphasized in <a href="/ephesians/2-18.htm">Ephesians 2:18</a>.though He is not far from each one of us This phrase emphasizes the immanence of God, contrasting with the deistic view that God is distant and uninvolved. God's nearness is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in <a href="/psalms/145-18.htm">Psalm 145:18</a>, which states that the Lord is near to all who call on Him. Theologically, this reflects the omnipresence of God, who is present in all places and times. Culturally, this would have been a radical concept for the Athenians, who were accustomed to gods who were distant and capricious. The nearness of God is also a comfort to believers, assuring them of His constant presence and support, as promised in <a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The speaker of this verse, Paul is addressing the people of Athens at the Areopagus, sharing the message of the one true God. 2. <a href="/topical/a/athens.htm">Athens</a> A city known for its rich history in philosophy and religion, where Paul delivers his sermon to a diverse audience of thinkers and seekers. 3. <a href="/topical/a/areopagus.htm">Areopagus</a> A prominent rock outcropping in Athens, serving as a meeting place for the council and a venue for philosophical discussions. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_athenians.htm">The Athenians</a> The audience of Paul's sermon, consisting of philosophers, scholars, and citizens interested in new teachings and ideas. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_unknown_god.htm">The Unknown God</a> Paul uses the Athenians' altar to an "unknown god" as a starting point to introduce them to the God of the Bible.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_accessibility.htm">God's Accessibility</a> God is not distant or unreachable; He is near to each of us, inviting us to seek and find Him. <a href="/topical/t/the_universal_call_to_seek_god.htm">The Universal Call to Seek God</a> Every person, regardless of background or belief, is called to seek God. This is a universal invitation. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_creation_in_revelation.htm">The Role of Creation in Revelation</a> Creation itself testifies to God's existence and character, encouraging us to reach out to Him. <a href="/topical/t/the_assurance_of_finding_god.htm">The Assurance of Finding God</a> When we genuinely seek God, we have the assurance that we will find Him, as He desires to be known by us. <a href="/topical/e/engaging_with_culture.htm">Engaging with Culture</a> Like Paul, we can use elements of culture to introduce others to the truth of God, finding common ground to share 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/who_was_the_biblical_prophet_micah.htm">What was God's purpose in creating the world?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_bible's_burial_practices.htm">How can I earnestly seek and find God?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_saint_eustace's_story.htm">Who was Saint Eustace and what is his story?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_teen_dating.htm">What defines unrequited love?</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>(27) Should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him.--The word for "feel after" expresses strictly the act of groping in the dark. From the Apostle's point of view, anticipating in part the great Theodikaea--the vindication of the ways of God--in the Epistle to the Romans, the whole order of the world's history was planned, as part of the education of mankind, waking longings which it could not satisfy, leading men at once to a consciousness of the holiness of God and of their own sinfulness. The religions of the world were to him as the movements of one who climbs"Upon the great world's altar stairs,That slope through darkness up to God;"who can only say--"I stretch lame hands of faith, and grope,And gather dust, and chaff, and callTo what I feel is Lord of all,And faintly trust the larger hope."Their ritual in all its manifold variety was but as the inarticulate wailing of childhood--"An infant crying for the light,And with no language but a cry."--Tennyson, In Memoriam, liv. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 27. - God for the Lord, A.V. and T.R. (Meyer does not accept this reading); is for be, A.V.; each for every, A.V. If haply they might feel after him. Ψηλαφάω is "to touch, feel, or handle," as <a href="/luke/24-39.htm">Luke 24:39</a>; <a href="/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18</a>; <a href="/1_john/1-1.htm">1 John 1:1</a>. But it is especially used of the action of the blind groping or feeling their way by their hands in default of sight. So Homer describes Polyphemus as χερσὶ ψηλαφόων, feeling his way to the mouth of the cave with his hands after he was blinded by Ulysses ('Odyssey,' 9:416). And in the LXX. of <a href="/deuteronomy/28-29.htm">Deuteronomy 28:29</a> we read, Ἔση ψηλαφῶν μεσημβρίας ὠς εἴ τις ψηλαφήσαι τυφλὸς ἐν τῷ σκότει, "Thou shall grope at noonday as the blind gropeth in darkness." The teaching, therefore, of the passage is that, though God was very near to every man, and had not left himself without abundant witness in his manifold gifts, yet, through the blindness of the heathen, they had to feel their way uncertainly toward God. In this fact lies the need of a revelation, as it follows ver. 30, etc. And hence part at least of the significance of such passages as, "Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord" (<a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8</a>); "Who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (<a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> ); "God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (<a href="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a>), and many more like passages. <a href="/commentaries/acts/17-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[ God intended that ] they would seek ζητεῖν (zētein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2212.htm">Strong's 2212: </a> To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. [Him] Θεὸν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [and] perhaps ἄρα (ara) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_687.htm">Strong's 687: </a> A form of ara, denoting an interrogation to which a negative answer is presumed. reach out for ψηλαφήσειαν (psēlaphēseian) Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5584.htm">Strong's 5584: </a> From the base of psallo; to manipulate, i.e. Verify by contact; figuratively, to search for. Him αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. find [Him], εὕροιεν (heuroien) Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. though καί (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. He is ὑπάρχοντα (hyparchonta) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5225.htm">Strong's 5225: </a> To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb). not οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. far μακρὰν (makran) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3112.htm">Strong's 3112: </a> At a distance, far away, remote, alien. Feminine accusative case singular of makros; at a distance. from ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. each ἑκάστου (hekastou) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1538.htm">Strong's 1538: </a> Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every. one ἑνὸς (henos) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. of us. ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/17-27.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord if (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/17-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 17:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 17:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/17-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 17:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 17:28" /></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>