To avoid conflict in Berea, after he deemed his work complete, Paul sailed to Athens where he would continue the fulfill the grest commission to advance the gospel of Jesus, the resurrected Christ and Savior of man.
“16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.” (Acts 17:16)
Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy to return from Berea and Thessalonica, and he was led by the Holy Spirit to endeavor without his fellow missionaries and further God’s kingdom by battling idolatry in Athens, the city with more idols than in all the rest of Greece combined.
“17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.” (Acts 17:17-18)
Athens featured a large marketplace where many would gather on the porches that surrounded the market, for fellowship and conversation.
There, to Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, Paul preached the gospel of the Christ and shared the truth about the Savior’s perfect, sinless life, the death of the Christ on the cross and resurrection from the dead that ensued, thereby fulfilling prophecy about the Messiah.
“19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” (Acts 17:19-20)
The Areopagus was a hill that served as a place of assembly, where the supreme court of Athens gathered for their meetings. The hill, about fifty feet high doubled as the epicenter of the city’s best works of art. This was the place where the Greek philosophers brought Paul to hear more about the gospel he preached, which was contrary to both Epicurean and Stoic doctrines.
“21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.” (Acts 17:21)
Because Athens was home to a curious population, it was customary to allow those who spoke of something outside the ordinary to do so in front of a group, for the benefit of many. This is why Paul was brought to the Areopagus, a location that could accomodate a large group of people, where Paul grabbed the opportunity to preach the gospel of Christ. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Luke,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
