Study No. 21 – Head to Head with the Philosophers - Acts Chapter 17:10-34
Paul and Silas were sent away ‘by night’ from Thessalonica and they go from there to Berea. The description of what took place there is fairly brief, however from this short account many churches have taken on the name, ‘Berean’. Why? Simply because of the verse, (17:11) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
- At least one Sabbath is spent in the Berean Synagogue
- Many Jews believe in Jesus as well as many Greeks who had been followers of Judaism. Also many prominent women became believers.
- Jews from Thessalonica, upon hearing of Paul’s work in Berea, hurried to the place and began preparing the crowds for a riot against Paul.
- The ‘brethren’ quickly send Paul away (and some accompany him) to Athens.
- Silas and Timothy remain to help the new church to a good start.
- Paul gets off the boat at Athens and sends a message for Silas and Timothy to come immediately.
Paul in Athens
While Paul waited for Timothy and Silas to arrive …
He is (negatively) impressed by the great number of idols which seemed to be everywhere.
In a few verses we will read that Paul mentions Gold, Silver and Stone used in making these idols. Notice how different is Paul’s first impression than that which impresses people today … even a lot of Christians. So many today would first say, Wow!, because of the artistic value in these creations. And no doubt a lot of craftsmanship went into the making of them. Paul is not at all phased by the human effort and ingenuity involved in their making.
Paul goes to the synagogues, apparently commenting concerning the idolatry he has witnessed. Then he goes to the marketplace and talks with people there, emphasizing Jesus and the resurrection.
The city of Athens
The capital and largest city of Greece; named after Athena (its patron goddess); in the 5th century BC ancient Athens was the world's most powerful and civilized city. (In mythology a contest occurred regarding the naming of the city. The Greek god, Poseidon vied with the goddess Athena. Poseidon supposedly struck the ground and created a spring of water. Athena reached down and planted and Olive tree. The king of the city was impressed with Athena’s gift and named the city after her.)
The Market place (or Agora) is where Paul spent time amidst the rampant idolatry.
The Epicureans were a class of philosophers …Definition:
1. Devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially to the enjoyment of good food and comfort.
2. A devotee to sensuous and luxurious living; an epicure.
The Stoics were another group of philosophers. Definition:
1. One who is seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain.
2. Stoic A member of an originally Greek school of philosophy, founded by Zeno about 308 b.c., believing that God determined everything for the best and that virtue is sufficient for happiness. Its later Roman form advocated the calm acceptance of all occurrences as the unavoidable result of divine will or of the natural order.
the Areopagus, - definition:
1. (Place name) the hill to the northwest of the Acropolis in Athens
2. (Historical Terms) (in ancient Athens) the judicial council whose members (Areopagites) met on this hill
3. (Law) (in ancient Athens) the judicial council whose members (Areopagites) met on this hill
The philosophers and other students spent a great deal of time sharing ‘Some newer thing’ v21.
Athens was a renowned centre of learning, especially of philosophy.
As Paul speaks to this audience we can pick out of his famous speech or sermon some very key and timeless truths.
1. God is the almighty creator v24,25
2. God is Spirit
3. Mankind did not ‘evolve’ but was made of ‘one blood’.
(See Old Testament, Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood:)
4. God has an eternal purpose and plan v26. We are not here by accident. It has been predestined that we would live in this place … at this time.
5. Salvation is the privilege and responsibility of every person.
6. Salvation is for every person on earth v30.
7. Salvation is achieved via repentance. 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
8. God ‘grades on a curve’. Ro 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law
9. The Day of the final Judgment has been set.
a. Believers: 2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
b. Unbelievers and all believers who missed the first judgment: Re 20:11 ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (This judgment is 1000 years after the first one v7)
A church is formed. It does not appear to be a great start, in terms of numbers. Paul departs for Corinth and we are not given any further information about the structure, growth and leadership of the church. One man and one woman are mentioned by name. It is likely, as the church, grew that those (Theophilus) who are reading Luke’s narrative of the book of Acts might be familiar with these names.
Extra Study given for this study … and in preparation for the next:
In Corinth - Paul, once again, is waiting for Silas and Timothy (he had sent them back immediately when they had arrived from Berea)
Paul meets and works with Aquilla and Priscilla … what have you found out about them?
Extra Study:
Read about Apollos and jot down what you find significant.
Acts 18:24, Acts 19:1, 1Corinthians 1:12, 1Co 3:4 – 6, 1Cor 16:12, Titus 3:13
- At least one Sabbath is spent in the Berean Synagogue
- Many Jews believe in Jesus as well as many Greeks who had been followers of Judaism. Also many prominent women became believers.
- Jews from Thessalonica, upon hearing of Paul’s work in Berea, hurried to the place and began preparing the crowds for a riot against Paul.
- The ‘brethren’ quickly send Paul away (and some accompany him) to Athens.
- Silas and Timothy remain to help the new church to a good start.
- Paul gets off the boat at Athens and sends a message for Silas and Timothy to come immediately.
Paul in Athens
While Paul waited for Timothy and Silas to arrive …
He is (negatively) impressed by the great number of idols which seemed to be everywhere.
In a few verses we will read that Paul mentions Gold, Silver and Stone used in making these idols. Notice how different is Paul’s first impression than that which impresses people today … even a lot of Christians. So many today would first say, Wow!, because of the artistic value in these creations. And no doubt a lot of craftsmanship went into the making of them. Paul is not at all phased by the human effort and ingenuity involved in their making.
Paul goes to the synagogues, apparently commenting concerning the idolatry he has witnessed. Then he goes to the marketplace and talks with people there, emphasizing Jesus and the resurrection.
The city of Athens
The capital and largest city of Greece; named after Athena (its patron goddess); in the 5th century BC ancient Athens was the world's most powerful and civilized city. (In mythology a contest occurred regarding the naming of the city. The Greek god, Poseidon vied with the goddess Athena. Poseidon supposedly struck the ground and created a spring of water. Athena reached down and planted and Olive tree. The king of the city was impressed with Athena’s gift and named the city after her.)
The Market place (or Agora) is where Paul spent time amidst the rampant idolatry.
The Epicureans were a class of philosophers …Definition:
1. Devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially to the enjoyment of good food and comfort.
2. A devotee to sensuous and luxurious living; an epicure.
The Stoics were another group of philosophers. Definition:
1. One who is seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain.
2. Stoic A member of an originally Greek school of philosophy, founded by Zeno about 308 b.c., believing that God determined everything for the best and that virtue is sufficient for happiness. Its later Roman form advocated the calm acceptance of all occurrences as the unavoidable result of divine will or of the natural order.
the Areopagus, - definition:
1. (Place name) the hill to the northwest of the Acropolis in Athens
2. (Historical Terms) (in ancient Athens) the judicial council whose members (Areopagites) met on this hill
3. (Law) (in ancient Athens) the judicial council whose members (Areopagites) met on this hill
The philosophers and other students spent a great deal of time sharing ‘Some newer thing’ v21.
Athens was a renowned centre of learning, especially of philosophy.
As Paul speaks to this audience we can pick out of his famous speech or sermon some very key and timeless truths.
1. God is the almighty creator v24,25
2. God is Spirit
3. Mankind did not ‘evolve’ but was made of ‘one blood’.
(See Old Testament, Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood:)
4. God has an eternal purpose and plan v26. We are not here by accident. It has been predestined that we would live in this place … at this time.
5. Salvation is the privilege and responsibility of every person.
6. Salvation is for every person on earth v30.
7. Salvation is achieved via repentance. 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
8. God ‘grades on a curve’. Ro 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law
9. The Day of the final Judgment has been set.
a. Believers: 2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
b. Unbelievers and all believers who missed the first judgment: Re 20:11 ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (This judgment is 1000 years after the first one v7)
A church is formed. It does not appear to be a great start, in terms of numbers. Paul departs for Corinth and we are not given any further information about the structure, growth and leadership of the church. One man and one woman are mentioned by name. It is likely, as the church, grew that those (Theophilus) who are reading Luke’s narrative of the book of Acts might be familiar with these names.
Extra Study given for this study … and in preparation for the next:
In Corinth - Paul, once again, is waiting for Silas and Timothy (he had sent them back immediately when they had arrived from Berea)
Paul meets and works with Aquilla and Priscilla … what have you found out about them?
Extra Study:
Read about Apollos and jot down what you find significant.
Acts 18:24, Acts 19:1, 1Corinthians 1:12, 1Co 3:4 – 6, 1Cor 16:12, Titus 3:13