PAUL ENTERS ATHENS

Acts 17:16-21 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? Other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

To avoid Jewish persecution, the apostle Paul departed from Berea and traveled southeasterly to the city of Athens. Located on a southern-most peninsula of Greece, Athens was known, at this period of history, as the chief seat of philosophy, learning, arts, and world civilization. Its name is derived from the Greek Goddess, Athena, and its culture centers around the philosophical worship of idol gods. Later, Silas and Timothy followed Paul to Athens and continued to assist in his gospel ministry to Gentile nations. But while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

How long he waited for Silas and Timothy to come to him is not given, but the time was sufficient for Paul to observe the government of this city, its people, and their manner of life, to the extent that his spirit was stirred.It appears that Paulbecame concerned about their lack of Godly teaching, that was replaced by foolish, worldly conduct, which seemed to be totally void of rational, moral character. This, Paul concluded, was due to the fact that the people of the city (were) wholly given to idolatry. No doubt as Paul walked through the city, he observed its inhabitants and their conduct of life. He assuredly witnessed their statues and images of gods crafted out of all type of metal and stone, and witnessed altars, temples, and the pagan people participating in "religious" festivals and other acts of idol worship.

As one sent to the Gentile nations to deliver the gospel message of salvation through Christ Jesus, Paul thought it necessary to speak out against their barbaric behavior. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Speaking by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, Paul reasoned with the Jews and Jewish proselytes that lived in this city, in their place of worship - their synagogue. As he had previously done in other cities, he used Old Testament scriptures to prove that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah, and Savior of the world. (A)nd in the market, he disputed with them that met with him. That is, he used Godly reasoning to address the Grecians in open market places where he spoke against, and refuted their pagan idol worship.

While he reasoned with the people, Paul was confronted by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, who invited him to a certain hill in Athens, known as the Areopagus - a place where there was much philosophical debate. This they did because they desired to hear more of this new doctrine, which Paul was proclaiming to the throng who had gathered with him in the market place. Here Epicurean and Stoic philosophy was discussed and debated.

Epicureus expounded a doctrine, which denied the existence of all gods and their influence on mankind. He taught that mankind should indulge in a lifestyle that fulfilled and gratified all sensual desires. On the other hand, the Stoic philosophy was founded by Zeno and derived its name from a once famous gathering place of the philosophers of Athens known as the Stoa. Although this sect did not deny the existence of gods, they believed mankind received no direction or commands from the gods for their life's conduct; rather each person directed his or her own fate on earth. Since neither of these sects believed in the resurrection of the body of mankind, their interest seemed to be piqued by Paul's teaching of Jesus, and the resurrection.

Having, what the Epicureans and Stoics deemed to be a new "philosophy" which they desired to hear about, Paul was invited by them, and accompanied them unto the Areopagus. This is the same place as Mars' Hill, noted in the following verse 22. It was here that the court, or council, of Athens met, reviewed, and enforced all laws of the land. It closely observed the actions of governmental officials and prosecuted those that abused their power or instigated acts of subversion. They also ruled on all felonious and criminal cases and protected all authorized religions of the people, including their festivals, their public buildings and sanctuaries, and the idol gods, which they worshipped. In the latter instance, they heard and ruled on all matters regarding all religious doctrines and practices.

It was here that Paul brought the first gospel message of salvation through Christ Jesus to the people and governmental officers of the city of Athens. Having a vague understanding of Paul's message, they desired to hear more about the strange things that he taught. It was strange because it was new and radically different from the various doctrines of idol worship. Here, on Mar's Hill, before the open, but highly critical minds of the Athenian council, and before the Grecian people that appeared to be totally given to the pagan, idolatrous worship, the apostle Paul preached the eternal salvation promised by the Creator of the universe, the true God of Heaven. Paul affirmed, to the idol-worshipping, pagan inhabitants of Athens, that God made the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal salvation available through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Doesn't it seem odd that, considering these tremendous, seemingly impossible adversities faced by the apostle Paul, that we, as Christians, fear to teach the majority of people within our society made up primarily of God-fearing people? Where is the zealous, devoted desire to proclaim the truths found in the pure word of God that has not been altered or compromised by "human doctrine?" Where can reverential devotion to God's will and scriptural, dedicated teaching of His plan of salvation through Christ Jesus be found, if not through obedient Christians making up the body of Christ in the current age? Where?