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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://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=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Athenians</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/a/athenians.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><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="/topical/vmenus/acts/17-21.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="//biblehu.com/bmcde/a/athenians.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="/topical/">Topical</a> > Athenians</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></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/a/athenian_philosophers.htm" title="Athenian Philosophers">◄</a> Athenians <a href="/topical/a/athenobius.htm" title="Athenobius">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The Athenians were the inhabitants of Athens, a prominent city in ancient Greece known for its rich cultural, philosophical, and intellectual heritage. In the context of the Bible, the Athenians are primarily mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts, during the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys.<br><br><b>Biblical Reference:</b><br><br>The most significant biblical reference to the Athenians is found in <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">Acts 17:16-34</a>. During his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul visits Athens and is deeply troubled by the city's idolatry. The passage describes how Paul engages with the Athenians, particularly in the Areopagus, a prominent place for public discourse and philosophical debate.<br><br><a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Acts 17:21</a> notes, "Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas." This verse highlights the Athenians' reputation for their love of knowledge and philosophical inquiry, which was a hallmark of Athenian society.<br><br><b>Paul's Address at the Areopagus:</b><br><br>In <a href="/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22-31</a>, Paul delivers a profound sermon to the Athenians at the Areopagus. He begins by acknowledging their religiosity, noting an altar with the inscription "To an Unknown God." Paul uses this as a starting point to introduce the Athenians to the one true God, the Creator of the universe, who does not dwell in temples made by human hands.<br><br>Paul's address is a masterful example of contextual evangelism, as he quotes from their own poets and philosophers to connect with his audience. In <a href="/acts/17-28.htm">Acts 17:28</a> , he states, "For in Him we live and move and have our being," a line that resonates with the Athenians' philosophical understanding.<br><br><b>Response of the Athenians:</b><br><br>The response to Paul's message was mixed. <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">Acts 17:32-34</a> records, "When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, 'We want to hear you again on this topic.' At that, Paul left the Areopagus. But some joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others who were with them."<br><br>This passage illustrates the varied reactions of the Athenians, ranging from skepticism to genuine interest and belief. Dionysius the Areopagite, in particular, is noted as a convert, indicating that Paul's message did find fertile ground among some Athenians.<br><br><b>Cultural and Historical Context:</b><br><br>Athens was a center of learning and philosophy, home to renowned philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The city's intellectual climate was characterized by a pursuit of wisdom and an openness to new ideas, which is reflected in the Athenians' initial curiosity about Paul's teachings.<br><br>The Athenians' religious practices were polytheistic, with numerous gods and goddesses forming a pantheon that was deeply integrated into their daily lives. The presence of an altar to an "Unknown God" suggests a recognition of the limitations of their religious understanding and an openness to exploring new spiritual concepts.<br><br><b>Significance in Christian Thought:</b><br><br>The account of Paul's interaction with the Athenians is significant for several reasons. It demonstrates the early Christian approach to engaging with diverse cultures and worldviews, emphasizing the importance of finding common ground while boldly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. Paul's sermon at the Areopagus serves as a model for Christian apologetics, illustrating how to effectively communicate the message of Christ in a pluralistic society.<br><br>The Athenians' encounter with Paul also underscores the transformative power of the Gospel, capable of penetrating even the most intellectually sophisticated and spiritually diverse environments. Through Paul's ministry, the message of Christ began to take root in the heart of Greek culture, paving the way for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Athenians</span><p>natives of Athens (<a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Acts 17:21</a>)<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">ATHENIANS</span><p>a-the'-ni-ans Athenaioi: Inhabitants of Athens. Luke has a remark on their curiosity and their delight in novelty (<a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Acts 17:21</a>). See <a href="../a/athens.htm">ATHENS</a>.<p><a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/117.htm"><span class="l">117. Athenaios -- Athenian</span></a> <br><b>...</b> belonging to Athens. Word Origin from Athenai Definition Athenian NASB Word<br> Usage <b>Athenians</b> (1), Athens (1). Athenian. From Athenai <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/117.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/dionysius/letters_of_dionysius_the_areopagite/liturgy_of_st_dionysius_bishop.htm"><span class="l">Liturgy of St. Dionysius, Bishop of the <b>Athenians</b> .</span></a> <br><b>...</b> LETTERS OF DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE. LITURGY OF ST. DIONYSIUS, BISHOP OF<br> THE <b>ATHENIANS</b> . 1st. The Prayer before the Pax [136] . Pr. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/liturgy of st dionysius bishop.htm</font><p><a href="/library/africanus/the_writings_of_julius_africanus/fragment_xiv_aeschylus_the_son.htm"><span class="l">Fragment xiv. ??schylus, the Son of Agamestor, Ruled the <b>Athenians</b> <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Fragment XIV. ??schylus, the son of Agamestor, ruled the <b>Athenians</b><br> twenty-three years? ??schylus, the son of Agamestor, ruled <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/fragment xiv aeschylus the son.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/city_of_god/chapter_9_when_the_city_of.htm"><span class="l">When the City of Athens was Founded, and what Reason Varro Assigns <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Then Neptune, being enraged, laid waste the lands of the <b>Athenians</b>, by casting up<br> the waves of the sea; for the demons have no difficulty in scattering any <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 9 when the city of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/city_of_god/chapter_2_of_the_kings_and.htm"><span class="l">Of the Kings and Times of the Earthly City which were Synchronous <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Roman race. For from these kings of Sicyon he passes to the <b>Athenians</b>,<br> from them to the Latins, and from these to the Romans. Yet <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 of the kings and.htm</font><p><a href="/library/killen/the_ancient_church/chapter_vii_the_ministry_of.htm"><span class="l">The Ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The <b>Athenians</b>, from time immemorial, had been noted for their intellectual elevation;<br> and a brilliant array of poets, legislators, historians, philosophers <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vii the ministry of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/city_of_god/chapter_10_what_varro_reports_about.htm"><span class="l">What Varro Reports About the Term Areopagus, and About Deucalion's <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> dishonoring to their majesty; and therefore he will not admit that the Areopagus,<br> the place where the Apostle Paul disputed with the <b>Athenians</b>, got this name <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 what varro reports about.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/city_of_god/chapter_19_that_aeneas_came_into.htm"><span class="l">That ??neas came into Italy when Abdon the Judge Ruled Over the <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> For the Peloponnesians had received a response from the oracle, that they should<br> overcome the <b>Athenians</b> only on condition that they did not slay their king. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 that aeneas came into.htm</font><p><a href="/library/abbott/xerxes/chapter_iii_debate_on_the.htm"><span class="l">Debate on the Proposed Invasion of Greece.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> rebellion."First invasion of Greece."Xerxes convenes a public council."His<br> speech."Xerxes recounts the aggressions of the <b>Athenians</b>."Xerxes proposes <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter iii debate on the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/abbott/xerxes/chapter_viii_the_advance_of.htm"><span class="l">The Advance of Xerxes into Greece.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> of many vessels."Plunder of the wrecks."Scyllias, the famous diver."Dissensions<br> in the Greek fleet."Jealousy of the <b>Athenians</b>."Situation of the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter viii the advance of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_8_the_jews_become.htm"><span class="l">The Jews Become Confederates with Caesar when He Fought against <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> The Glorious Actions Of Antipater, And His Friendship With Caesar. The Honors<br> Which The Jews Received From The Romans And <b>Athenians</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the jews become.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/a/athenians.htm"><span class="l"><b>Athenians</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia <b>ATHENIANS</b>. a-the'-ni-ans Athenaioi: Inhabitants<br> of Athens. <b>...</b> See ATHENS. Multi-Version Concordance <b>Athenians</b> (2 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/athenians.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/athens.htm"><span class="l">Athens (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> the city. The magnificent gateway (Propylaea), of which the <b>Athenians</b><br> were justly proud, was built by Mnesicles (437-432 BC). A <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/athens.htm - 15k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/rhodes.htm"><span class="l">Rhodes (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> formed a confederation and rounded the new capital (Rhodes) in 408 BC In the beginning<br> of the Peloponnesian war, Rhodes sided with the <b>Athenians</b>, but, after 19 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/rhodes.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/delos.htm"><span class="l">Delos</span></a><br><b>...</b> In 166 Delos was given to Athens; the inhabitants fled to Achea, and the<br> island was colonized by <b>Athenians</b>, together with Romans. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/delos.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/artaxerxes.htm"><span class="l">Artaxerxes (14 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> of Artaxerxes was further disturbed by the revolt of Egypt in 460 BC, and by that<br> of Syria about 448 BC The Egyptians were assisted by the <b>Athenians</b>, and their <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/artaxerxes.htm - 16k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/amphipolis.htm"><span class="l">Amphipolis (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> In 497 BC Aristagoras, ex-despot of Miletus, tried to settle there, and a second<br> vain attempt was made in 465-464 by the <b>Athenians</b>, who succeeded in founding a <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/amphipolis.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/strange.htm"><span class="l">Strange (234 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> thought is clearly that by his preaching of Jesus he was regarded as introducing<br> a new divinity, that is one who was strange or foreign to the <b>Athenians</b> and of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/strange.htm - 45k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/atheism.htm"><span class="l">Atheism</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/atheism.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/v/visiting.htm"><span class="l">Visiting (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Acts 17:21 (Now all the <b>Athenians</b> and the strangers visiting there used to spend<br> their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.) (YLT). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/v/visiting.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/neapolis.htm"><span class="l">Neapolis (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Neopolis, which is also borne on its coins) as member both of the first and of the<br> second Athenian confederacy, and was highly commended by the <b>Athenians</b> in an <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/neapolis.htm - 9k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/unknown-god.html">Who is the unknown god in Acts 17:23? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Areopagus.html">What was the Areopagus? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Damaris-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Damaris in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Athenians (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Acts 17:21</a></span><br />Now all the <span class="boldtext">Athenians</span> and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22</a></span><br />And Paul standing in the midst of Areopagus said, <span class="boldtext">Athenians</span>, in every way I see you given up to demon worship;<br /><span class="source">(DBY YLT)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/a/athenians.htm">Athenians</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/athens.htm">Athens (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cupboard.htm">Cupboard</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/athenians.htm">Athenians (2 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/a/athenian_philosophers.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Athenian Philosophers"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Athenian Philosophers" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/a/athenobius.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Athenobius"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Athenobius" /></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="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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>