Acts 17

1 Paul preacheth Christ at Thessalonica. 4 Some Jews and many Greeks believe, 5 others raise an uproar against them, and draw Jason before the Rulers of the City. 10 But Paul and Silas escape, and travel to Berea, where they preach also, 11 and many diligently searching the Scripture, believe. 13 The Jews of Thesalonica persecute him there also, stirring up the people, 14 but the brethren bring Paul to Athens, 16 where he is troubled at their Idolatry, 18 and is mocked by certain Epicurean and Stoick Philosophers, 19 brought unto the judgement-place, 20 and further examined concerning his doctrine, 22 whereupon he informs them of the vanity of Idolls, and of the knowledge and service of the true God, who made and governs Heaven and Earth, to whom also being unknown they had erected an Altar. 30 Therefore exhorts them to repentance and faith in Christ, who was raised from the dead, and appointed to be Judge of the world. 32 which some scoffe at, and some believed, amongst whom were also Dionysius Areopagita, and Damaris.

1. And having taken (their) way through Amphipolis [A City of Macedonia not far from Philippi, so called because it was compassed with the Sea on both sides] and Apollonia, [a City also in Macedonia nigh Thessalonica] they came to Thessalonica, [one of the principall Cities of Macedonia, situate by a long creek of the Aegean Sea, so called, because there King Philip had overcome the Thessalonians] where there was a Synagogue of the Jews.

2. And Paul as he was wont, went in unto them, and for three Sabbaths treated with them out of the Scriptures; [Gr.from the Scriptures.]

3. Opening (the same) [That is, by clear testimonies out of them, certainly priving. See Psalms 119:130. Luke 24:32.] and setting before (their eyes) that the Christ must have suffered, and risen again from the dead, and that this Jesus is the Christ [that is, the true promised Messias, John 1:42.] whom I (said he) declare unto you.

4. And some of them believed [Gr.were prevailed with, or perswaded] and were joined to Paul and Silas [Gr.were allotted, Acts 13:48.] and of the Religious Greeks, [that is Proselytes as is expressed, Acts 23. 43. Or others which were addicted to the Jewish Religion] a great multitude, and of the principal women not a few. [that is, very many.]

5. But the Jews who were disobedient [Gr.who would not be prevailed with, or perswaded, i.e. who remained unbelieving, John 3:36.] envying (this) [or being zealous hereat, namely, with a perverse zeal] took to them some wicked men of the market-villaines [that is, certain unprofitable persons, which commonly stand idle on the market place] and made the people run on a heap [or made an uproar of the people] and disturbed the City: and falling on [or, standing on, or, against the house] upon the house of Jason, [some think that this Jason is the same whereof we read, Rom. 16, 21.] they sought to bring them unto the people. [Namely to stone them.]

6. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren before the Rulers of the City, crying, those that have set the world in combustion [Or brought it into an uproar, Or caused that through the whole world one riseth up against another] are come hither also.

7. Whom Jason hath taken into (his house) and all these doe against the commands [Or ordinances] of Cesar , saying that there is another King [namely, then the Emperor of Rome] (namely) one Jesus.

8. And they troubled the multitude and the Rulers of the City, who heard this.

9. But when they had received satisfaction [Gr.enough, i.e. sufficient excuse, or security that being called they would appear in Court] of Jason and the others, they let them goe.

10. And the brethren immediately by night sent away Paul and Silas to Berea, [Namely to escape the danger, Matthew 10:23.] who being come thither [namely, to Berea] went their way unto the Synagogue of the Jews.

11. And these were more noble [Namely, of mind. For that is a right noble mind, that builds his faith not upon the saying of men, but only upon the word of God, Ephesians 2:20. From whence this nobleness proceeds, see Matthew 13:23.] the those at Thessalonica were, (as) who received the word [namely, of God, the Gospell, that was preached unto them] with all forwardness, [or readiness of heart] searching [Gr.with judgement considering: or, comparing one thing with another, namely, the preaching of the Apostle with the holy Scripture] the Scriptures daily [namely, of the Prophets] whether these things were so.

12. Many of them therefore believed, and of the Grecian honourable women, and of the men not a few.

13. But when the Jews of Thessalonica understood, that the word of God was also published by Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and moved the multitudes. [i.e. stirred them up against the Apostles.]

14. But the brethren then instantly sent away Paul, that he should goe, as it were towards the Sea; [That is, as if he would sayle away from thence by ship] but Silas and Timotheus abode there.

15. And they that guided Paul, [That is, had undertaken to set Paul in a secure place] brought him even unto Athens: and when they had gotten a command to Silas and Timothes, that they should come unto him with the greatest speed, they departed.

16. And while Paul expected them at Athens, his spirit [That is, his mind] was incensed in him, [namely with anger or zeal against the great Idolatry there practised] seeing that the City was so greatly Idolatrous, [or was so full of Idols or Idolatry. This the heathen writers themselves also testifie of this City.]

17. Therefore he treated in the Synagogue with the Jews [That is, disputed, see ver. 2.] and with those that were religious, [that is, proselytes, see ver. 4.[ and in the market every day, with those that came before (him) [that is, which met him, or whom he here and there encountered and desired to hear him speak.]

18. And some of the Epicurean [So called from one Epicurus a disciple of Xenocrates, who placed the chiefest happiness in pleasure, and denyed the providence of God] and Stoick Philosophers [so called because Zeno their first Master taught in a Stoa, i.e.gallery, who tyed the providence of God to means, and taught that a wise man ought to be subject to no manner of commotion of mind] contended with him: and some said, what will this prattler say? [or Trister. The Greeke word spermologos seems to be taken from the similitude either of certain birds which pick up the seed from the land, and make a great noise: or of despicable persons which on the market at Athens gathered up the seed which fell out of the sacks] but others (said) he seemeth to be a publisher of strange Gods: because he published unto them [Gr. Evangelized] Jesus, and the resurrection.

19. And they took him, and brought (him) on the (place called) Areopagus [This was a Counsell-house within Athens, lying on a high place of the City, so called from their Idol Ares, i.e. Mars, where was the supreme Court of Justice, and none but very difficult and weighty matters were judged] saying, may we (not) know what this new doctrine is whereof thou speakest?

20. For thou bringest certain strange things before our ears, [Gr. Thou bringest in, into our ears] we would know therefore what this will be.

21. (Now all those of Athens, and the strangers which abode there [Gr.inhabitants, i.e. who being borne elsewhere, were come there to dwell] bestowed (their) time for nought else, then to tell and to hear somewhat new) [this the heathen writers testifie of the Athenians. Theophr.de charact.Demost.3 Olynth.and Plutarch.de Gar.]

22. And Paul standing in the midst of the (place called) Areopagus, said, ye men of Athens, I observe [or see] that ye are every way as it were more Religious, [or mmore superstitious then others. Or the most Religious, namely of all the heathen.]

23. For going through (the City) and beholding your Sanctuaries [Gr. Sebasmata, whereby are understood all things whereto or whereby any divine worship is practised, as are Tmples, Altars, images, and the like] I found also an Altar, on which stood an inscription, [Gr.in which was inscribed. Of this inscription, some heathen writers also make mention, as Pausanias, Laertius and others] TO THE UNKNOWN GOD; Namely; To his honour is this altar erected. Those of Athens were so greatly inclined to worship all manner of Gods, that they worshipped not only all the Gods which the other heathen had: but fearing that there might yet somewhere he an unknown God, which they worshipped not, therefore they would also erect an Altar on the same] Him therefore whom not knowing (or unwittingly) ye serve, I declare unto you.

24. The God who made the world, and all that therein is, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in Temples made with hands.

25. And also is not worshipped by mens hands, (as) having need of any thing [Or of any man] seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.

26. And hath of one blod [Namely, of Adam and Eve] made the whole race, [Gr.people] of men, to dwell upon the whole earth, [Gr.on the whole face of the earth. And it is here very cleerly shewn by the Apostle in the following words, that God by his providence hath ordained to all men and nations on the earth their time and place, how long and whereby they shall dwell on the earth. So that as concerning this, all comes to pass not by chance, but according to the providence of God. See also Deuteronomy 30:20. Job 14:5. 6. Matthew 10:29.] having appointed the times before ordained, and the bounds of their habitation.

27. That they should seeke the Lord, if truly [Or any wise peradventure] they might feele [God who is a spiritual incorporeal and invinsible being, cannot properly be felt, but is said to be left, because by the creatures that are created, and by the preservation and government of the same, his properties may be so cleerly seen, as if he were felt, Romans 1:19, 20] and find him: although he be not far from every one of us.

28. For in him we live, [That is, by him, or by his power, as Rom. 11.v. 36. See 1 Cor. 12. 6.] and we move, and we are [that is, we have all that we are according to soul and body, and are also preserved in the same being] as also some of your Poets have said, [namely, Aratus, who hath written in Greek of the course of the Heavens] for we are also his off-spring. [that is, we are descended from God by the creation.]

29. Therefore we being Gods off-spring, must not think that God-bead [Or the divine essence] is like gold, or silver, or stone, which are cut by mans art [Gr. Cutting, or graving of art, that is, cut or graven by the art of men, as the Image and Idosl of the Heathen were] and invention.

30. Therefore God having overlooked [Namely, as with connivance] the times if ignorance, [namely, when they knew not the true God] declareth now to all men every where, that they repent.

31. Because that he hath appointed a day, on which he will judge righteously, [Gr.in righteousness] the earth [that is, all men which have lived, do live or yet shall live upon the Earth] by a man [namely, Jesus Christ] whom he hath ordained (to this purpose) giving assurance [Gr.faith] (thereof) unto all, seeing he hath raised him up from the dead.

32. Now when they heard the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed (thereat) and some said, we will hear thee again hereof.

33. And so Paul went away out of the midst of them.

34. Yet some men adhered unto him, and believed: amongst whom was also Dionysius Areopagita, [Namely a Judge or Counseller in the Council of Areopagus, whereof is spoken v. 19.] and women by name Damaris, and others with the same.