Paul on Mars Hill
By Timothy Glover
Athens was known for its idolatry. When Paul came to this city, he noticed they were very religious. After hearing Paul, they invited him to speak more to them about his teachings. Of course, Paul was glad to do so but as was true in Athens, so today many are desirous to hear anything new. Many closed mined people ask questions out of curiosity. The Athenians were religious intellectuals who had this curiosity to know more about Christianity.
Seeing that these people had no background in Jewish practices, it would have served no good purpose for Paul to start quoting Old Testament prophecy as having been fulfilled in Christ. So, he introduces the true God by pointing to an altar in the city with the inscription “To the Unknown God.” This idol erected by the Athenians would insure that no god would be overlooked and strike back at them in anger. Seeing that these intellectual sages confessed ignorance, erecting an altar as a monument to this fact, Paul could enlighten them without being antagonistic.
In describing the “unknown God”, Paul tells them that he does not dwell in human temples (v 24). He affirms that all things were made by him and that he is Lord of all. Thus, no temple can accommodate him.
Paul further explains that God does not need human services (v. 25). Instead, he gives to man life, breath and every blessing. He is ruler of all the nations instead of one nation and desires that everyone seek him and find him. One does not seek God in a statue with his name on it. If we are the offspring of God, seeing that we are not lifeless material as gold, silver, or stone from which the idols were made, then God is not to be found in such an idol.
After identifying the true God, Paul calls them to repentance because the same God has appointed the resurrected Christ to judge the world. When hearing this demand that rests on the resurrection, the people turned away. Some mocked while others politely said, “We will listen to you about this again”. They probably thought what the mockers were willing to say. It is not uncommon to find people who will promise to study more with you. Yet, they are not really interested. Refusing to be rude, they politely end the conversation. However, some Athenians accepted Paul’s teaching before he left for Corinth. We are thankful for such people who will investigate the evidence honestly before making their conclusion.
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