Author: Charlie Garrett

Fancy dome lighting. Washington State Capitol.

Sunday, 11 June 2023

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The translation is more succinct, saying, “Now all Athenians and the visiting strangers passed time in nothing else but to say or to hear some newer thing” (CG).

The verse now explains the words of the previous verses. The people who had been listening to Paul asked about his teaching and noted that what he said was strange to them. Luke now explains the reason for their curiosity, saying, “Now all Athenians and the visiting strangers.”

Luke leaves off any article before Athenians, lumping them all into one category and denoting their character in general. They, along with the visiting strangers to Athens, would gather to ponder things, talk philosophy, challenge one another’s intellect, etc. Luke describes their attitude next saying, they “passed time.”

The word used here signifies having opportunity or leisure. Thus, their lives are being spent in trivial pursuits. Luke continues by saying the spending of this leisurely time was “in nothing else but to say or to hear some newer thing.”

Of this, Ellicott notes, “Theophrastus (c. 8) uses the self-same word in describing the questions of the loquacious prattlers of society, ‘Is there anything new? . . . Is there anything yet newer?’” Other quotes and observations along these same lines are found in the writings of classical authors concerning the Athenians.

This is why they were so curious about Paul’s words. They had itching ears and needed them scratched. Hence, when they heard Paul speaking, they knew they had the opportunity to continue to whittle away their time in the pursuit of new wisdom.

Life application: In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon describes himself in somewhat the same manner as Luke describes those in Athens. For example, he says –

“I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³ And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.” Ecclesiastes 1:12, 13

Again, he says –

“As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep,
Who can find it out?
²⁵ I applied my heart to know,
To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things,
To know the wickedness of folly,
Even of foolishness and madness.” Ecclesiastes 7:24, 25

Solomon pursued many things as evidenced in his writings, but through much of his life he failed to properly align his pursuits with the knowledge of the Lord. This is not uncommon in the world. How many people are “news junkies.” Many people go from one news site to the next looking to satisfy a craving for something new.

This is true with people who watch one prophecy report after another. They are never satisfied with having heard things, but immediately go to hear more. As long as it tickles their ears, they are happy. The problem with this is that such people generally have very little biblical knowledge, nor do they especially care about what the Bible actually says. Paul writes about this attitude –

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3, 4

As for both Solomon and Paul, they each give the remedy for this type of attitude –

Solomon:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

Paul:
“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Don’t spend your time in foolish pursuit. Rather, learn the word of God by reading it daily and applying it to your life. In the end, the latest news and the newer things aren’t really new at all. It is a trap to entice you away from what is good and proper –

“Is there anything of which it may be said,
‘See, this is new’?
It has already been in ancient times before us.” Ecclesiastes 1:10

Lord God, may we not be foolish in our pursuit of vain things. Rather, help us to remain focused on You and in growing in the knowledge of Your word. When our days are over in this life, we will enter our eternal state. On that day, may You be pleased with the lives we have lived in anticipation of what lies ahead. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Fancy skylight. Washington State Capitol.

Saturday, 10 June 2023

“For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” Acts 17:20

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, Paul was taken to the Areopagus and asked what the new teaching he was presenting meant. Now, those same people say, “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears.”

The clause is almost impossible to directly translate because the words “strange things” come from a present participle, xenizonta. The word xenizó signifies to receive as a guest and thus to be strange. The people speaking to Paul use this verb which we will normally use as an adjective.

If one takes the word startling as a verb instead of an adjective, it can almost give the sense, such as, “He was startling his friend.” But because the word is plural, it would need to say, “For are startlings you bring to our ears.”

The sense is that what Paul is speaking to them actively causes their ears to respond through surprise. Because of this, they continue, saying, “Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” Again, the words are complicated because of the use of four verbs. A literal translation would be, “we desire, therefore, to know what these things wish to be.”

Most English translations get the point across well without being literal. The people confronted Paul wanting clarification for the things he had been saying. With that, an explanation concerning their curiosity will be given in the coming verse.

Life application: It is hard to imagine at times, but there are many people who have never heard the gospel. There are even many who have never heard of Jesus. In the West, that is less common, but even here this is true. When you meet someone who has never heard of Jesus and you begin to tell them about Him and what He did, you can often get a response like that of those in Athens.

People get confused or even bewildered as you try to explain. Some from foreign cultures may have never heard the word “sin” before. It may exist in their own language, but they think of it in a different way than believers will. Until they can properly understand the word, you are at a bit of a roadblock in what you can say.

So be ready to take the time to explain something carefully that most people just take for granted. Eventually, and with care, people will get what you are saying, but it may take a bit of time and effort. Don’t get discouraged. Rather, take it as a challenge and enjoy the process as you introduce precious souls to the wonderful saving message of Jesus.

Lord God, help us to be clear and precise in how we present the gospel. Open our minds to what we should say so that the words are properly set forth. From there, the choice must be made, but at least we have done our part in telling others about this glorious message of reconciliation and redemption. Amen.

Surprising plaque at Capitol, Washington State. Wonder if it is still up?

Friday, 9 June 2023

And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? Acts 17:19

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous verse noted the questioning of the Epicureans and Stoics concerning Paul. Along with them, others perceived that Paul was proclaiming foreign gods. That now continues, saying, “And they took him.”

More literally, “And they took hold of him.” The sense is that of personal initiative in the act of seizing someone or something. At times, it can be a forceful seizing of someone. At others, it is a purposeful act of helping someone along. This is another indication that Paul was dependent on others for assistance. In this case, it was especially so because it involves ascending a hill. As it next says, “and brought him to the Areopagus.”

The location in Greek is the Areios Pagos and is directly translated as the Hill of Ares. Ares is the Greek God of war, also called Mars. The word pagos means a rocky hill. Of this location, Vincent’s Word Studies, also citing another source, says –

“The Hill of Mars: the seat of the ancient and venerable Athenian court which decided the most solemn questions connected with religion. Socrates was arraigned and condemned here on the charge of innovating on the state religion. It received its name from the legend of the trial of Mars for the murder of the son of Neptune. The judges sat in the open air upon seats hewn out in the rock, on a platform ascended by a flight of stone steps immediately from the market-place. A temple of Mars was on the brow of the edifice, and the sanctuary of the Furies was in a broken cleft of the rock immediately below the judges’ seats. The Acropolis rose above it, with the Parthenon and the colossal statue of Athene. ‘It was a scene with which the dread recollections of centuries were associated. Those who withdrew to the Areopagus from the Agora, came, as it were, into the presence of a higher power. No place in Athens was so suitable for a discourse upon the mysteries of religion’ (Conybeare and Hewson).”

At times, the name Areopagus may be used to indicate the hill itself or as name for the court that met there. This is like Hollywood indicating both a location as well as the industry that has formed at the location. The reason for taking him there is next explained. Those who conducted him were “saying, ‘May we know.’”

The word used is dunamai. It signifies ability or power. Thus, there is a polite but seemingly almost sarcastic tone in their words, “Are we able to know?” Paul was in the agora teaching. These people heard him and were perplexed by what he was saying because their form of life and conduct, as well as their personal beliefs, were contrary to the idea of sin and atonement as well as death and resurrection. This can be seen by what has already been presented –

Because:
“What does this seed-picker want to say?”
“He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods.”

Therefore:
“Are we able to know what this new doctrine?”

Because of this state of curiosity, they continue with “what this new doctrine is of which you speak?”

There is no hint of them having brought Paul there for a trial or to make an accusation against him. Rather, verse 21 will indicate that those who brought him, along with those who were already at the Areopagus, had a different intent altogether. Paul is being asked to more fully explain what he had been talking about while in the agora.

Life application: If you were asked to explain your faith in Jesus at Princeton University, would you be able to do it? If so, you would surely be challenged by some, belittled by others, and entirely dismissed by many. How would you handle such a crowd?

Like Paul, you may be asked to defend your faith at some point, explaining the hope that you possess. As you are speaking, you may hear, “I have been told the Bible is unreliable.” Would you have an answer to that? While you are talking about Jesus and the resurrection, someone else may be asking about the flood of Noah. “How can you believe such a ridiculous story?”

You should expect this because it is the standard thinking of people in the world today. In some cases, you can turn the question into another question. “Did you know that the theories of creation and evolution are ‘theories’ because they have not been proven? Is it more reasonable to believe that God created the universe or to believe that the universe created itself?”

At other times, you may want to make firm proclamations about your faith. “I believe in Jesus Christ because He is the Subject of the Bible. What is presented in its pages concerning the nature of man, the problem with humanity, and the resolution of that problem is exactingly detailed there. And more, Jesus is the only acceptable explanation for the resolution to it.”

Think about such things. Practice them in your head. Watch videos or read books concerning creation. Consider how Jesus is anticipated or explained in your reading of the Bible each day. Prepare your mind for the times when you are questioned about these things. No time spent learning about them will be wasted time. Life is short. Spend yours getting to know this wonderful Creator and Redeemer and then be prepared to tell others about Him!

O God, it is a world filled with unclear thinking about who You are and our standing in relation to You. But these things are revealed in Scripture. So, Lord, help us to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that we possess. May we not stand unprepared when we are asked or challenged concerning our faith. Amen.

Washington Capitol building (maybe the Supreme Court).

Thursday, 8 June 2023

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 17:18

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, it noted that Paul met in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. That would surely be those he met with in the synagogue. But while meeting them, others became curious about what he was saying. That is seen beginning with the words, “Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.”

Athens was the place where the great philosophers gathered to contemplate the various issues that affected man such as God or gods, nature, the state of man, reason, etc. They thought that the search for wisdom was the highest form of existence. This is what Paul alludes to in 1 Corinthians 1 –

“For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

Albert Barnes gives a detailed description of the Epicureans and Stoics –

Of the Epicureans – This sect of philosophers was so named from Epicurus, who lived about 300 years before the Christian era. They denied that the world was created by God, and that the gods exercised any care or providence over human affairs, and also the immortality of the soul. Against these positions of the sect Paul directed his main argument in proving that the world was created and governed by God. One of the distinguishing doctrines of Epicurus was that pleasure was the summum bonum, or chief good, and that virtue was to be practiced only as it contributed to pleasure. By pleasure, however, Epicurus did not mean sensual and groveling appetites and degraded vices, but rational pleasure, properly regulated and governed. See Good’s “Book of Nature.” But whatever his views were, it is certain that his followers had embraced the doctrine that the pleasures of sense were to be practiced without restraint. Both in principle and practice, therefore, they devoted themselves to a life of gaiety and sensuality, and sought happiness only in indolence, effeminacy, and voluptuousness. Confident in the belief that the world was not under the administration of a God of justice, they gave themselves up to the indulgence of every passion the infidels of their time, and the exact example of the frivolous and fashionable multitudes of all times, that live without God, and that seek pleasure as their chief good.

And of the Stoics – This was a sect of philosophers, so named from the Greek στοά stoa, a porch or portico, because Zeno, the founder of the sect, held his school and taught in a porch, in the city of Athens. Zeno was born in the island of Cyprus, but the greater part of his life was spent at Athens in teaching philosophy. After having taught publicly 48 years, he died at the age of 96, that is, 264 years before Christ. The doctrines of the sect were, that the universe was created by God; that all things were fixed by Fate; that even God was under the dominion of fatal necessity; that the Fates were to be submitted to; that the passions and affections were to be suppressed and restrained; that happiness consisted in the insensibility of the soul to pain; and that a man should gain an absolute mastery over all the passions and affections of his nature. They were stern in their views of virtue, and, like the Pharisees, prided themselves on their own righteousness. They supposed that matter was eternal, and that God was either the animating principle or soul of the world, or that all things were a part of God. They fluctuated much in their views of a future state; some of them holding that the soul would exist only until the destruction of the universe, and others that it would finally be absorbed into the divine essence and become a part of God. It will be readily seen, therefore, with what pertinency Paul discoursed to them. The leading doctrines of both sects were met by him.

The incorrect doctrines of both sects are addressed by Paul in his writings. As for them, it next says that they “encountered him.”

The word is sumballó. It signifies “to throw together.” Hence, the meaning is to be derived from the surrounding context and can signify encounter, discuss, engage, ponder, etc.

In this case, Paul is in the agora talking about faith in Christ, certainly highlighting His suffering and resurrection. While talking with those he met, the Epicureans and Stoics, who were probably there doing their own debating, would have heard Paul and wanted to know what he was discussing. As such, the word “engaged” is probably the intent, but the verb being imperfect gives the sense of “were engaging him.” In the process of engaging with him, it next says, “And some said.”

Again, the verb is imperfect, “And some were saying.” It is obvious that in hearing Paul’s words and comparing them to their own ideas about life, death, suffering, and so forth, they were both curious and yet somewhat contemptuous. Therefore, they questioned, “What does this babbler want to say?”

The word translated as “babbler,” spermologos, is found only here. It literally translates as “seed-picker.” One can think of a crow picking up seeds, flitting about, and squawking without any sense of rhyme or reason. Figuratively, it would be a person who is talkative and opinionated and who picks up scraps of knowledge and sets them forth in a willy-nilly fashion. As for the verb, the mood is optative and so the thought is something like, “What is this seed-picker desiring to say.”

In other words, what Paul is saying isn’t making sense to them. To them, he was putting out irrational ideas. Suffering? Resurrection? What he was saying wasn’t forming any cohesive thoughts in their minds.

Because of this, others who heard and had an incorrect idea of his discourse spoke up. It literally reads, “and others.” This means “other than the Epicureans and Stoics.” They were saying, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods.”

Here is another word found only here in Scripture, kataggeleus. It signifies a herald. To them, Paul was seemingly speaking about two things. Therefore, they used the plural word, daimonion, or gods. These two things are explained by Luke’s next words, “because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.”

What this probably meant to them is that Paul was preaching Jesus as a “god” as well as “the Anastasis,” as a god. The word anastasis signifies “a standing up,” thus “the raising” or “the resurrection.” Hence, they think that Paul’s proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection not as an action but as a second god. In other words, “He is preaching the Jesus and the Anastasis,” rather than “Jesus who was resurrected.” Hence, the word daimonion, the plural term for heathen gods or demons is used.

Life application: In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul spends a great deal of time explaining the resurrection. This is based on the words of verse 12, “…how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead.”

This would have probably been introduced by some who followed the Greek philosophers or who were later influenced by them after first believing. For example, the Epicureans didn’t believe the gods exercised any care or providence over human affairs and they denied the immortality of the soul. As such, they believed that the soul and body died together.

Likewise, some of the Greek philosophers believed in Pantheism, the universe is a manifestation of God. Others believed in Panentheism; God is in all of creation. The Bible, in both testaments, refute both of these. Paul spends considerable time explaining the nature of God, speaking against such notions.

God is before all things. He is the Creator of all things, but He is not “all things,” nor is He “in” all things in the sense that would allow the creation to be worshiped, nor can we assume that the divine is in us. Rather, we can think of a painter making a painting. His hand is in the painting, but the painting is not the painter, nor is the painter in the painting, except as an expression of Himself.

To understand the intricacies of what God is like, we must first grasp what Scripture says, contemplating it carefully. From there, we can make logical deductions about Him. But we must also be careful to not incorrectly assume that metaphors, anthropomorphisms, etc., about God that are given in Scripture are to be taken literally.

For example, because of how metaphor is used, some people demand that the earth must be flat. They have incorrectly assigned metaphors found in Scripture to their idea of the world. That can occur in our ideas about God as well. Understanding Scripture from a proper context and contemplating philosophy, science, and other disciplines can help us logically think about what God is like. Spend your time wisely and contemplate God carefully. You will be better off when you do.

Lord God, may our ideas about You come first and foremost from Scripture. With an understanding of it, our minds will then be properly directed to consider the various disciplines of study that we come across in our lives. Instead of fitting You into science, we can understand science in relation to You. Help us to put You and Your word first and all else will find its proper place. Amen.

Fancy lighting. Washington State Capitol.

Wednesday, 7 June 2023

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. Acts 17:17

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The NKJV, though cleaning up the KJV in some areas, is still not salvageable. For this commentary, the following will be used: “Therefore, indeed, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and those worshiping, and in the marketplace on each day with those meeting him” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul’s spirit was provoked within him because the city of Athens was given over to idols. Because of this, it next says, “Therefore, indeed.”

The intensity of the matter is seen in this. Luke takes Paul’s situation and highlights it. He will then explain what Paul’s response to the idol-filled city was, beginning with, “he was reasoning in the synagogue.”

This is the same thought as that of verse 17:2, which said, “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” The imperfect verb shows a continuing effort. He didn’t just go in, give his thoughts, and sit down. Rather, he continued to reason with those in the synagogue. In this, his reasoning was “with the Jews and those worshiping.”

This was his usual habit. He would reason with those who already knew Scripture about their need for Jesus. His reasoning there would be just as with those in Thessalonica and Berea. He would be “explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ’” (Acts 17:3).

However, this was not his only time of discourse. The intensity of wording at the beginning of the verse is more fully realized in his efforts that went beyond the synagogue. That is seen in the next words, “and in the marketplace on each day.”

Paul took no time off but went into the agora [public center, market area]and spoke out against the idolatry that filled the city. His spirit was so moved within him, that he could not constrain himself to simply talk to those in the synagogue, waiting for them to be moved by (or rejecting of) his words. This speaking in the marketplace wasn’t just to Jews and proselytes, but “with those meeting him.”

Being the public meeting place, even if he was originally only speaking to those who came from the synagogue, others could hear. In hearing, if they were interested in listening, they could then engage in the conversation as well. This will be seen in the next verse.

Life application: It isn’t known who Paul initially spoke to in the marketplace, but it may have just been people he reasoned with on the Sabbath at first. In other words, “Meet me at the agora and we can have some tea and talk more about what you heard today.” By speaking to them in public, it would provide a chance for anyone to hear his words.

This is a good way of getting new people to listen to what you have to say. If it is a nice day and you have the opportunity to have a Bible study in a park, on the beach, or in some other public place, people will naturally slow down and listen as the teacher speaks. That may spark curiosity and a desire to know more.

Consider this avenue. It is non-confrontational like street preaching because anyone listening is leaning into a group meeting, and so the event is passive. Street preaching, on the other hand, is actively targeting people.

Despite the non-confrontational nature of such a meeting, there are some who will be offended by you exercising your rights in public. They may be the ones who get confrontational, so be prepared for that as well. Paul faced this, and you might, but it is still a great way of passively getting people interested in the Bible.

Lord God, the church isn’t just a building and a set time to meet. The church is comprised of people wherever they are and whenever they meet. Help us to be willing to teach, instruct, and lead others to You at any time and in any location. May the church grow because we are willing to put forth effort among those we encounter. Amen.