Wednesday 30 July 2025
"For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you." (v. 23)
Background
Today we read that Paul arrived in Athens where, distressed by the city's idolatry, he debated with Jews in the synagogue and philosophers in the marketplace. The Epicureans and Stoics bring him to the Areopagus philosophers, who were curious about his teachings. Paul acknowledged their religiosity and referenced an altar inscribed 'To an unknown god' using it as a bridge to proclaim the true God. He emphasised God's sovereignty, humanity's dependence on God, and the call to repentance, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus.
Some mocked him, others were intrigued, and a few, including Dionysius the Areopagite and Damaris, believed his message.
We see Paul tailoring his speech (vs 22-31) to his audience. He begins not with Scripture, as he would when talking to Jews, but with natural theology pointing to the altar 'to an unknown god' as a cultural touchpoint. He directs his sermon towards the true Creator God, who is not confined to temples or served by human hands.
Paul quoted the Athenian poets – most likely Epimenides and Aratus – to affirm that humans are God's offspring. He subtly challenged idolatry by arguing that divine beings cannot be represented by gold or stone. This was a bold move: Paul affirmed what was true in the Greeks' worldview while exposing its inconsistencies. The climax comes with a call to repentance, grounded in the resurrection of Jesus. This is where many listeners drew the line as Greeks on the whole rejected the idea of bodily resurrection.
This passage is the only full record we have of Paul preaching to a purely pagan audience and shows the way he could adapt his mission. He doesn't dilute the gospel message, but he does reframe it. It also underscores the universal scope of the gospel: God now commands all people everywhere to repent (v. 30).
To Ponder:
- Paul calls for repentance in light of a coming judgement (vs 30-31). How does this message balance grace and accountability?
- How do the varied responses in verses 32-34 (mockery, curiosity, belief) reflect the spectrum of reactions to the gospel today?
- What is the difference between resurrection and resuscitation?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, sometimes we find it hard to believe all the claims in the gospels, especially the bodily resurrection. Lord, help our unbelief! Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Jonathan Gichaara
Dr Gichaara is a retired Methodist minister. He lives in the Doncaster Circuit with Elizabeth, his wife.