Paul Preaching at Athens

(Acts 17:16-34.)

1. 1.Tell how it came to pass that Paul visited Athens.
2. 2.While Paul visited alone at Athens, what did he see? Verse 16.
3. 3.What did he therefore do? Among whom, and where, did he work? Verse 17.
4. 4.Who finally encountered him as he was teaching? How did these philosophers regard him? What idea did some have of his teaching? From what did they conclude this? Verse 18.
5. 5.To what place did they conduct him? What was their object? Verse 19.
6. 6.What did they give as their reason for asking about the new doctrine? Verse 20.
7. 7.Was it real interest to know the truth, or mere idle curiosity, that prompted their action? Verse 21.
8. 8.With what statement did Paul begin his discourse? Verse 22.
9. 9.What had he seen that confirmed this statement? Whom did he say that he had come to disclose? Verse 23.
10. 10.How did he introduce this God to them? What did he say of His dwelling-place? Verse 24.
11. 11.How can He not be worshiped? Why can He not be worshiped in that way? Verse 25.
12. 12.What has He made? How has He made them? Where has He placed them to dwell? What has He determined and appointed? Verse 26.
13. 13.Why has He done all this? If men feel after God, what will be the result? Why? Verse 27.
14. 14.How near is He to every one of us? What had a Greek poet said that was in harmony with the truth that Paul was preaching? Verse 28.
15. 15.Since all men are God's offspring, what ought they not to think? Verse 29.
16. 16.How did God regard man's ignorance? Nevertheless, what does He command all men to do? Verse 30.
17. 17.What gives this commandment special force? How will God judge the world? By whom? What assurance has He given of this? To whom has He given it? Verse 31.
18. 18.How did the Athenian philosophers receive the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead? Verse 32.
19. 19.What was the immediate result of this sermon? Verse 34.

Additional Questions and Suggestions

1. 1."Too superstitious." Revised Version, "somewhat superstitious;" margin, "religious." Nearly all other translations have it, "very religious," or "greatly devoted to the worship of the gods." While it is true that all heathen worship is superstitious, we may be sure that the apostle Paul did not begin his discourse with words calculated to arouse the anger of his hearers, and so we may know that the words did not convey to their minds the same idea as the expression, "Ye are in all things too superstitious," does to ours. The statement, "Ye are very religious," was the truth, and naturally opened the way for what followed.
2. 2."If haply they might feel after Him and find Him." Notice exactly what is said here. Is the doubt implied as to whether men would find the Lord, or as to whether they would feel after Him? If men feel after the Lord, is there any question as to the certainty of their finding Him? What makes it more than sure that they who seek the Lord will find Him? Isa. 65:1-3.
3. 3."The times of this ignorance God winked at." The Revised Version and some others have it, "overlooked," which is an exactly literal rendering of the Greek. Several translations have it "bore with," which also expresses the sense. Compare Acts 14:16 and Heb. 5:2.

This lesson PDF Whole quarter PDF · 13 lessons