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Acts 17:22–25
“What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (vv. 23–25).
While in the marketplace of the city of Athens, Paul spoke about Jesus and the resurrection with anyone who would listen. Many thinkers found the words of Paul intriguing and wanted to know about the “new” religious ideas they were hearing from the Apostle. So they took him to the Areopagus, also known as Mars Hill, where they could ask him about his teaching in the forum where many religious and philosophical concepts were presented and debated (Acts 17:16–21).
Paul began by pointing out that the many objects and altars in the city of Athens testified to the people’s deep commitment to religion (vv. 22–23). The word translated as “very religious” in Acts 17:22 could be taken positively or negatively. If the latter is the case, then it means that the Athenians were “very superstitious.” Jews commonly considered first-century pagans beholden to superstition, and Paul no doubt shared this evaluation. Yet the Apostle was almost certainly speaking in a more positive sense without giving endorsement to false religion. Paul spoke of their piety to open the door for a full presentation of the truth.
Among the objects that Paul mentioned was the altar “to the unknown god” (v. 23), and he stated that the “unknown god” referenced in the altar was the One that he was going to make known to them. Although many first-century Greeks held to a form of monotheism, polytheism remained prevalent, and in Athens an altar was built for whatever god they might otherwise forget. This was an attempt to ensure that at least token worship was offered to all possible deities lest the gods be angered. Paul was not drawing an exact equivalence between the unknown god of the Athenians and the one true God of Scripture. He was not saying that the Athenians were rightly worshiping this unknown god. He was simply looking for an opening to proclaim the truth. John Calvin comments, “Paul doth not in the place commend that which the men of Athens had done; but taketh from their affection, though it were corrupt, free matter for teaching.”
Paul then began describing the one true God, noting that He is the Creator who does not dwell in temples and who needs nothing from His creation (Acts 17:24–25). This is standard biblical monotheism—there is one independent, self-sufficient Creator who made all things by His mighty power and who cannot be contained (see Gen. 1:1; Jer. 23:24; 32:17).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
On the popular religious level, many people believe that God somehow stands in need of His creation or is otherwise dependent on it for His satisfaction. The Bible presents no such deity, and it would be bad news indeed if the Lord actually needed us. A God who needs us cannot ultimately help us because He requires assistance from us.
For further study
- Psalm 27
- Isaiah 43:6–21
- 1 Timothy 1:17
- Hebrews 13:6
The bible in a year
- Psalms 68–69
- Romans 3