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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
TO THESSALONICA, BEROEA, AND ATHENS

[“The Search For The God”]
Key word: Disciple-making

Acts 17:1-4 – Proving by Scriptures in Thessalonica

AC17:1 Now after they made their way through Amphipolis and Apollonia, 717 they arrived at Thessalonica, 718 where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

717	Amphipolis and Apollonia: To the west inland 3 miles on the Via Egnatia trade route. Apollonia was 27 miles from Amphipolis and 35 miles from Thessalonica. These were about a day’s distance.

718

Thessalonica: Now called Salonica. It is an ancient city dating to 300 BC. In Paul’s time it was a principal seaport of Macedonia. Luke, ever the precise historian, uses a term politarchs and this very designation has been uncovered on inscriptions on the period. Paul will later establish a congregation here and write two epistles that, other than Matthew’s Gospel, are considered the first letters of the Christian Bible.

AC17:2 And according to his custom 719 Paul entered, and for three Sabbaths 720 he reasoned with them from the Scriptures. 721

719	According to his custom: Not because he was a Jew but because this was his missionary method, to follow in the ancient path of the Jews. This was where people gathered who already believed in the Scriptures and the truth that God is One. [Acts 9:20; 13:14; 14:1; 18:4, 19]

720

For three Sabbaths: Some understand this to mean three weeks. Paul is still welcomed in the Jewish synagogues and he takes advantage of this. In most cities he left behind converted Jews already with a depth of knowledge of the Hebrew Bible, and it is these who go on to preach Christ to the non-Jewish peoples.

721	He reasoned with them from the Scriptures: Or, TCN: drawing his arguments from the Scriptures; BAR: argued with them on the basis of scripture.

AC17:3 He thoroughly opened 722 [the Scriptures] proving it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and then to rise up from the dead. He said: “This Jesus I announce to you is the Christ.”

722	He thoroughly opened: Or, KJV: opening and alleging; MOF: explaining and quoting passages; NWT: proving by references; BAR: expounding the scriptures and citing passages.

AC17:4 Some of Jews were persuaded and threw in their lot with Paul and Silas. 723 So did a large number of the Greeks who revered [God] 724 and also not a few of the important women. 725

723	Threw in their lot with Paul and Silas: Or, consorted, attached themselves, joined themselves.

724

The Greeks who revered [God]: Or, TCN: who were accustomed to join in the Jewish services; WEY: God-fearing; RIE: Greek adherents of the synagogue. That is, non-Jews who were either proselytes or favorably disposed to the Jews. The Greek SEBOMENON [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4576] has something of the meaning “god-fearing” or one who reverences a deity with deep awe.

725	The important women: Or, KJV: chief women; TCN: belonging to leading families; PME: influential; RIE: wives of the leading men. That is, influential women in the community, often by marriage or money.

Acts 17:5-9 – Hospitable Jason and Agitating Jews

AC17:5 As a result the Jews became jealous, and taking some market idlers 726 they formed a mob and threw the city in an uproar. They all attacked the house of Jason, 727 seeking to bring [Paul and Silas] out into the public.

726	Market idlers: Or, KJV: lewd fellows of the baser sort; ASV: file fellows of the rabble; TCN: worthless fellows of the street; NEB: dregs of the populace; NOR: wicked rowdies. The Jews are stooping to new lows.

727	Jason: Possibly a relative of Paul’s. [Romans 16:21]

AC17:6 But not finding them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the politarchs, screaming: “These persons upset the whole land! 728 Others are involved also,

728	These persons upset the whole land: Or, KJV: turned the world upside down; RHM: thrown the inhabited world into confusion; WMS: turned the world topsy-turvy; BER: world revolutionists.

AC17:7 and Jason has taken them under his roof. All these are opposed to the dogma of Caesar, 729 saying that there is a different king, Jesus.” 730

729	Opposed to the dogma of Caesar: Or, decrees, orders, defy the edicts, flout the Emperor’s laws. The Greek is DOGMATON as in Acts 16:4.

730	There is a different king, Jesus: This is a serious charge similar to the one brought against Jesus. Clearly, the subject of Christ’s kingdom has been a theme overheard by these.

AC17:8 When the politarchs and the crowd heard this they were very agitated. AC17:9 So after they had taken security 731 from Jason and the rest, they released them.

731	Security: Or, bail.

Acts 17:10-15 – From Beroea to Athens

AC17:10 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas out to Beroea 732 under the cover of darkness. Now when they arrived they went straight into the synagogue of the Jews. 733

732	Beroea: Modernly called Veroia, it is 40 miles WSW inland from Thessalonica.

733	They went straight into the synagogue of the Jews: As he has done in the past.

AC17:11 These [Jews] were of a better race 734 than those in Thessalonica and they accepted the Word with complete mental readiness. 735 They would examine the Scriptures everyday 736 to see if these things were true. 737

734

These [Jews] were of a better race: Or, more noble, better disposed, more high-minded, generous-minded, finer spirits, better breed. Judging from the variety of approaches it can be seen the Greek EU-GENESTEROI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2104, well born] is viewed differently. It literally means excellent + genes.

735	Accepted the Word with complete mental readiness: Or, KJV: received the word with all readiness of mind; PME: accepted the message most eagerly; BAR: listened eagerly.

736	Examine the Scriptures everyday: Or, search, made daily study. The true ‘Beroeans’ are those who study the Bible daily to arrive at the Truth.

737	To see if these things were true: Or, RIE: to verify this new interpretation.

AC17:12 Indeed, many of them believed, along with numerous Greek women of importance as well as some men. AC17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica realized Paul declared the Word of The God at Beroea, they also came there, stirring up and agitating the crowds. AC17:14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off 738 on his journey to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained behind.

738	Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off: This is twice here that Paul is hurriedly escorted off to his next city. The action is in harmony with the Nazarene who said if one was persecuted in one city move to another.

AC17:15 Now those who had conducted Paul led him all the way to Athens. However, when they received a command 739 for Silas and Timothy to come to Paul as quickly as possible, they returned.

739	Command: Or, commandment. Possibly from Paul himself.

Acts 17:16-22a – Witnessing in Markets

AC17:16 Now while waiting for Silas and Timothy at Athens, 740 Paul’s inner frame of mind was considerably irritated 741 when he observed the city was full of idols.

740

Athens: An ancient city and the modern capitol of Greece. It was the home of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. It was a center of learning and thus filled with teachers and philosophers of all kinds along with their students. Athenians are called by Josephus as “the most religious of the Greek people.” (Against Apion, II, 130 [11])

741

Inner frame of mind was considerably irritated: Or, KJV: his spirit was stirred in him; RSV: provoked; GDS: exasperated; BER: his soul was deeply vexed; RIE: indignation was aroused. One can understand this, as Paul was a Jew with a monotheistic background, while the gods or demons of the Greeks were endless, just as they were among Hindus and Egyptians.

AC17:17 As a result he continued to reason 742 everyday in the synagogue with the Jews and other reverent persons, 743 as well as in the marketplace 744 with those who happened to be on hand.

742	Reason: Or, disputed, argued, had discussions.

743	Reverent persons: Or, devout persons, God-fearing non-Jews, proselytes, adherents.

744

Marketplace: Or, city square. In all ancient villages, towns and cities – as well as in many countries today – the open-air market or mercado is a place where crowds of people may be found. Most Greeks, Jews, and many others very much enjoyed open discussions on any subject. It would not be hard to begin a conversation in which others would begin to join.

AC17:18 But also some of the Epicurean 745 and Stoic 746 philosophers kept confronting him. And some asked: “What would this seed-picker 747 like to say?” Others said: “He seems a publisher of foreign demons.” 748 [They said this] because he was declaring the Good News about Jesus and the resurrection. 749

745

Epicurean: Disciples of Epicuras [341-270 BC] who taught that the sole purpose of life was to achieve personal pleasure particularly in areas of knowledge, though absence of principle was also part of his thinking. Epicureans taught gods were unable to help anyone, and also that light came into existence purely by accident in a mechanical cosmos. Also, they believed death was the end and only then was a person freed from life’s nightmare. One can easily see this type of thinking is still alive and well at the beginning of the 3rd Millennium.

746

Stoic: A philosophy taught by one Zeno of Citium, Cyprus around 300 BC. The word Stoic comes from Stoa Poikile which was a porch in Athens where the master taught for 58 years. Essential stoicism did not believe in God and thought the universe existed of only matter and force [sometimes called god]. Anyone familiar with Hinduism and Buddhism will see the comparisons with this philosophy. They did not believe in a personal god and thought that every thing was party of an elemental deity from which the soul emanated. They believed this soul survived death and was reabsorbed in the cosmic soul and finally destroyed along with the universe. One can easily see modern thoughts found in these ideas.

747

Seed-picker: Or, babbler, picker of scraps, beggarly babbler, rag-picker, scraps-of-truth-picker, chatterbox, amateur talked, cock sparrow; BAR: his ill-digested scraps of knowledge. The Greek is SPERMOLOGOS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4691] or sperm(seed) + word. It was a derogatory designation referring to a little bird going about scratching here and there for a seed. The term tells us immediately how serous these philosophers took themselves.

748

Publisher of foreign demons: Or, strange gods, foreign deities. The Greek is DAIMONION [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1140]. See notes on Acts 17:22. It is interesting that they do not instantly identify Paul as a Jew. These men would have been familiar with Jewish thinking, but the words “Jesus” and “resurrection” do not make an association with the Jews to them.

749	Good News about Jesus and the resurrection: We see two of Paul’s major themes.

AC17:19 Having taken hold of him, they led him to the Areopagus, 750 asking: “May we know what regarding this new teaching you talk about?

750	Areopagus: Or, Mar’s Hill. A hill near the Athenian Acropolis. Any tourist visiting the area today will see Paul’s sermon below on a bronze plate. It also served as something of a court.

AC17:20 For you seem to import some things strange to our ears. We want to know what these things are suppose to mean.” AC17:21 Now all Athenians, 751 as well as traveling foreigners, 752 spent their leisure time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 753

751	Athenians: Greeks love a debate or discussion on any subject just for the sake of the argument.

752	Traveling foreigners: Or, foreign visitors, foreigners living in Athens.

753	Spent their leisure time in nothing except telling or hearing something new: Or, TCN: found no time for anything else. As the virtual center of philosophy and Socratic debate since the 6th Century BC Athens attracted everyone with an opinion.

AC17:22a So standing in the middle of the Areopagus, Paul said:

Acts 17:22b-28 – Paul’s Sermon To The Greeks

AC17:22b “Men of Athens, I behold in every way you are more demon-dreading 754 than others.

754

Demon-dreading: Or, KJV: too superstitious; ASV: religious; TCN: devout; ABU: worship of divinities; AMP: reverent to demons. The Greek is DEISIDAIMONESTEROUS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1174, rooted in fearing + demons]. The great cyclic religions such as the Egyptians, Hindus and Buddhists all have the fear of demons as a major part of their religious ritual. In the western world Hinduism and Buddhism are presented in a different guise though anyone who has traveled in such worlds has seen this continuous attempt to placate demons. It is well known Plato studied the Egyptian religion and plagiarized much of its central theology. [Compare Eusebius’ Preparation of the Gospel, 3rd Century AD] Paul writes to the Corinthians that the non-Jews or Greeks commune with demons. [1 Corinthians 10:20] As with the Egyptians and Hindus many of these demons or gods were triune or triads. For even Aristotle writes in On the Heavens: “It is just as the Pythagoreans say, the whole world and all things in it are summed up in the number three; for end, middle, and beginning give the number of the whole, and their number is the triad [or, trinity]. Hence it is that we have taken this number from nature, as it were one of her laws, and make use of it even for the worship of The Gods.” [English translation by W. K. C. Guthrie M. A., Cambridge] Nouveau Dictionnaire Universel, “The Platonic trinity, itself merely a rearrangement of older trinities dating back to earlier peoples, appears to be the rational philosophic trinity of attributes that gave birth to the three hypostases or divine persons taught by the Christian churches…. This Greek philosopher’s [Plato, fourth century B.C.E.] conception of the divine trinity… can be found in all the ancient [pagan] religions.” [(Paris, 1865-1870), edited by M. Lachâtre, Vol. 2, p. 1467.]

AC17:23 For going through [Athens], and beholding your objects of veneration, 755 I discovered also an altar which had this writing: ‘AGNOSTO THEO.’ 756 Therefore, what you ignorantly venerate, 757 this I announce to you.

755	Objects of veneration: Or, devotions, sacred shrines, monuments, houses of your idols. To this day tourists see these things.

756

AGNOSTO THEO: Or, to an unknown god. The word AGNOSTO is the root of “agnostic.” 2nd Century geographer Pausanias writes of seeing the same while he traveled the road from Phaleron Bay seaport to Athens, noting “altars of The Gods named Unknown, and of heroes.” [Description of Greece, Attica, I, 4] It is also true that Plato taught the One [God] could not be known or named, thus even the Absolute was “unknown” or AGNOSTO.

757	Ignorantly venerate: Or, ignorant worship, worship but do not know. Compare John 4:22. If one worships a God only known as God or Lord, then the worship is in ignorance. Paul knew quite well the name of his God – Yehowah.

AC17:24 The God who made the Cosmos 758 and everything in it [Isaiah 42:5] – existing as the Absolute Sovereign of heaven and earth, 759 does not dwell in human-made divine-habitats. 760

758

The God who made the Cosmos: Or, world; created. Paul possibly borrows some language from Isaiah 42:5 [LXX]. Isaiah says heaven and earth, and it is likely Paul uses the Greek KOSMOS as a synonym. Paul begins with HO THEOS and here we understand why as there were “many gods” [demons] in the Greek and Roman cultures. By using the article Paul means a specific God – The God. [Deuteronomy 10:17; 1 Corinthians 8:5]

759	Existing as Absolute Sovereign of heaven and earth: Paul suggests a personal God who is Lord, while the Greeks would have denied this.

760

Does not dwell in human-made divine-habitats: Or, shrines, buildings, sanctuaries, temples. The Greek is NAOIS [NAO, NAOS, NAON] [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3485] and refers to the abode or residence of a god. It differs from HIËRON often used in the Gospels and Acts for the temple area or compound around Herod’s NAOS. Though the Greeks believed demons [gods] did dwell in small houses or shrines made for them – even as do Hindus and Buddhists to this day – 500 hundreds year before Plato and Buddha Solomon wrote that this was not the case. [1 Kings 8:27] About the same time of Plato and Buddha the Hebrew prophet wrote: “Heaven is your throne, and the earth is your footstool.” [Isaiah 66:1]

AC17:25 Nor is He attended to by human hands – as though He actually had some need. Rather, He gives to all – life and breath and everything. AC17:26 And He made from one every nation of humankind 761 to dwell upon all the face of the earth 762 – having determined appointed seasons 763 and the very limits of their dwelling 764 –

761

He made from one every nation of humankind: Or, blood, man, person; all races; WEY: spring from one forefather people of every race; RIE: he created the first man and from him all the races of men; BAR: one common stock. In Greek theosophy the Creator was an evil demon who made material things, while the Absolute One had nothing to do with it. The Greeks also taught a cyclic cosmology in which there was no beginning and everything had evolved. Paul is teaching them exactly what Genesis recorded. [Genesis 1:28; 2:7] Some Greek texts use HAIMATOS, or “blood.” To this day at the beginning of the 3rd Millennium this Greek theology is believed by many scientific disciplines. Though more and more DNA studies indicate entire races descended from one common DNA.

762	Dwell upon all the face of the earth: Or, surface of. [Genesis 1:28; Deuteronomy 32:8; Isaiah 45:18]

763

Determined appointed seasons: Or, KJV: the times before appointed; RSV: determined allotted periods; RHM: marking out fitting opportunities; NEB: fixed the epochs of their history; TCN: fixing the time for their rise and fall; KNX: fixing the dates of the rise and fall. One is tempted to see Daniel 2 and 7 here. Or, it may be an echo of Genesis 8:22 and Psalm 74:17.

764	The very limits of their dwelling: Or, KJV: the bounds of their habitation; TCN: limits of their settlements; MOF: boundaries of their abodes; RIE: territorial boundaries. [Deuteronomy 2:5, 19; 32:8; Isaiah 34:17] Compare Psalm 115:16.

AC17:27 that they should continue to seek The God, 765 if really, in fact, they might grope for Him 766 and actually find him, though, in fact, He exists not a great distance from each one of us. 767

765

They should continue to seek The God: Or, KJV: the Master; ASV: God. Paul uses TON THEON. [John 1:1] All nations of humankind have sought God. There has never been a truly atheistic people. The God, the Creator, revealed Himself to the Hebrews, though humankind in general has been virtually hard-wired to seek God. [Isaiah 55:6]

766

Might grope for Him: Or, feel, touch and find; BAR: grope after Him in the shadows of their ignorance. Like blind persons feeling here and there to find – God. Peter told Cornelius that despite the ethnic background, anyone who fear God and behaved righteously was acceptable to Him. [Acts 10:35] Compare notes on Romans 2:15-17.

767	He exists not a great distance from each one of us: Or, KJV: not far from every one of us; MOF: he is close to each one of us.

AC17:28 For, it is as even some of your poets have said: 768 ‘In Him we continue living and we continue moving and we continue to exist.’ 769 And also, ‘For we are also of this One’s race.’” 770

768	Some of your poets have said: Phaenomena by Aratus, a Cilician poet, and from Hymn to Zeus by Cleanthes the Stoic.

769	In Him we continue living and we continue moving and we continue to exist: Or, life, motion, existence. Possibly from the Greek poet Epimenides of Cnossos, 6th Century BC.

770

For we are also of this One’s race: Or, KJV: we also are his offspring; MOF: belong to His race; LAM: we are his kindred; KNX: are his children. The rendering here in NCMM is the literal Greek though most give an interpretative paraphrase. The Greek is TOU [of the One] GAR [for] KAI [and] GENOS [race] ESMEN [we are]. Plato and others often referred to the Absolute God as “the One.” This is the same meaning in the Greek LXX of Exodus 3:14, 15 – HO ON [the One who is] from which Yehowah is drawn.

Acts 17:29-31 – A Resurrection

AC17:29 “Therefore, as a race originating from The God, 771 we ought not have the opinion that the Divinity 772 is like gold, or silver, or stone, some sculptured art 773 from human contrivance.

771

A race originating from The God: Or, KJV: we are his offspring; GDS: God’s children; BEC: we have our being from God. Neither Hebrew nor Christian Bibles teach that humans are automatically children of God. For details see Nazarene Principles 2000© under the heading of Father. Compare notes on John 1:12, 13. The Greek for “race” here is GENOS from which DNA “genome” is drawn. This indicates that the entire human “race” is really just that – one “race” that originated from God by the creation of Adam.

772

Divinity: Or, KJV: Godhead; TCN: deity; WEY: his nature; KNX: divine nature. The Greek is THEION [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2304, godlike, divinity, godhead]. On “godhead” see English dictionaries. The root of THEION is from the Greek word for run or motion, thus in Greek HO THEOS is the Prime Mover. Compare notes on Romans 1:20.

773	Sculptured art: Greek marble sculpture was first of all of the gods and goddesses, such as Venus or Diana.

AC17:30 For a certainty The God has overlooked such times of ignorance. 774 However, now He commands every human to repent. 775

774

God has overlooked such times of ignorance: Or, winked at, shut his eyes; BAR: shut his eyes to the folly of those times. See notes on Acts 14:16. All of humanity before this period would be judged based on their own down-loaded human conscience with two main factors: fear of God, and not harming others. See notes on Romans 2:15-17.

775	Now He commands every human to repent: It seems likely Paul has in mind any of those who wish to become disciples and gain entrance into the Realm of Profession, the Church.

AC17:31 Because He has fixed a day 776 on which He will ‘judge the inhabited earth in righteousness,’ 777 [Psalm 9:8 LXX] [and this] by a man whom He has appointed. 778 He has furnished assurance to everyone 779 by resurrecting him from the dead.” 780

776	He has fixed a day: Or, appointed, set, set aside a day. Called the “last day” in the teachings of the Nazarene. [John 6:39, 40, 44, 54; 11:24; 12:48; Daniel 12:13]

777

He will ‘judge the inhabited earth in righteousness’: Or, KJV: judge the world; RHM: habitable world; with justice, justly judge. Paul makes a strong paraphrase of Psalm 9:8 in the LXX where the same Greek word is used as it is here – OIKOUMENEN [or, inhabited earth]. Compare also Psalm 96:13; 98:9. [Psalm 72:3, 4, 8]

778	A man whom He has appointed: Or, ordained, pointed out, defined off, destined, chose, marked off. This “man” [ANDRI, male] is the one seen ascending to God in Daniel 7:13, 22.

779

He has furnished assurance to everyone: Or, proof, made this credible, guarantee, sign. Actually the Greek word is PISTIN, or faith. The guarantee or assurance based on the resurrection is that everyone will receive such a resurrection to judgment. [Matthew 12:35-37; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:26] It is for this reason Paul has previously mentioned the need for repentance on the part of all humankind.

780

By resurrecting him from the dead: Or, raised up. The Greek is ANASTESAS [ANASTASIS], or stand up again. See notes on Acts 2 and 13. Since the Greeks did not believe in a resurrection, but rather the immortality of the soul, this will shock many. For details on resurrection see notes on 1 Corinthians 15 or the work Resurrection – According to Paul in Biblical Articles, and Where Are the Dead?

Acts 17:32-34 – Response to Paul’s Sermon

AC17:32 Now having heard about a resurrection of the dead, indeed, some mocked, 781 while others said: “We will hear you again about this.”

781	Some mocked: Or, jeered, sneered, laughed outright.

AC17:33 So Paul left them, though some men stuck with Paul 782 and believed,

782	Some men stuck with Paul: Or, joined, attached, associated, followed, adhered. The Greek is KOLLETHENTS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2853] and literally means to “glue.”

AC17:34 among them Dionysius the Areopagite, 783 and also a woman named Damaris 784 as well as others from among them.

783	Dionysius the Areopagite: Or, judge, member of the Council. Dionysius was The God of wine. “Luke’s readers must have known him. He became the subject of legend, especially after the 5th Century when an author [the ‘pseudo-Dionysius’] published various mystical writings under his name.” [NJB ftn]

784	Damaris: As Greek women remained in seclusion some think this lady was not a Greek, but an important figure in the Court.

Review Questions on Chapter Seventeen