(22) “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. (23) For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you. (24) The God that made the world and all things therein, He, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (25) neither is He served by men’s hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He Himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (26) and He made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; (27) 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: (28) for in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said,
‘For we are also His offspring.’”
(29) “Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. (30) The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now He commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent; (31) inasmuch as He hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.”
(32) “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again. (33) Thus Paul went out from among them. (34) But certain men clave unto him, and believed; among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.”
Golden Text.—“He preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.”Acts 17:18.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Where did Paul stand when delivering the address to the Athenians? How did Paul address them? What had he noticed in regard to them? Verse 22. Note . (2) What had especially arrested Paul’s attention? What was the inscription? What opportunity did this give Paul? Verse 23. Note . (3) To what Being does Paul call their attention? What position does He occupy? What is the difference between Him and the gods which the Greeks had been worshiping? Verse 24. (4) What kind of service does He not require? Note . Why does He not stand in need of such service? Verse 25. (5) In what words does Paul show the common origin of the human race? What had God determined beforehand in regard to them? Verse 26. Note . (6) What did God purpose concerning their relation to Him? What declaration does Paul make in regard to God’s nearness to us? Verse 27. (7) How does Paul show our dependence upon God? What quotation did Paul make from their own writers upon this point? Verse 28. (8) As man is the offspring of God, what natural conclusion follows in regard to the likeness of God? Verse 29. Note . (9) How had God looked upon man’s course while man was in ignorance? But now that the light has come, what must men do? Verse 30. (10) What unfailing appointment has the Lord made? In view of this fact, what has God given man? In what does that assurance consist? Verse 31. (11) How was Paul’s declaration in regard to the resurrection of the dead received? Verse 32. (12) What was the result of Paul’s discourse upon this occasion? Verse 34.
