Acts 17:16

¶ Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

Now {G1161} while Paul {G3972} waited for {G1551} them {G846} at {G1722} Athens {G116}, his {G846} spirit {G4151} was stirred {G3947} in {G1722} him {G846}, when he saw {G2334} the city {G4172} wholly given {G5607} to idolatry {G2712}.

While Sha’ul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit within him was disturbed at the sight of the city full of idols.

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.

Acts 17:16 KJV Commentary

Context

Following his ministry in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, the Apostle Paul arrived in Athens, a renowned center of ancient Greek philosophy, learning, and culture. While awaiting his companions, Silas and Timothy, Paul found himself in a city steeped in religious devotion, though not to the one true God. This verse sets the stage for Paul's profound engagement with the Athenian intellects on Mars' Hill, often referred to as the Areopagus speech, where he would articulate the Gospel in a culturally relevant manner.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Sensitivity: The phrase "his spirit was stirred in him" reveals Paul's deep spiritual discernment and profound passion for God's glory. It wasn't mere intellectual disagreement but a deep, inward distress at the widespread idolatry, demonstrating a heart aligned with God's jealousy for His own name. This reflects the burden Paul often carried for those without Christ, similar to his lament in Romans 9:3.
  • Pervasive Idolatry: Athens was famed for its numerous statues, altars, and temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The KJV's "wholly given to idolatry" accurately captures the pervasive nature of pagan worship that permeated every aspect of Athenian life. This visual landscape deeply affected Paul, showcasing a city engrossed in false worship.
  • Catalyst for Engagement: Paul's inner turmoil did not lead to withdrawal or despair but to a strategic and bold proclamation of the Gospel. His spiritual stirring became the impetus for his famous discourse, where he intelligently addressed their spiritual void by introducing them to the "Unknown God."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "stirred" is paroxyno (παροξύνω), from which we get the English word "paroxysm." It conveys a strong sense of irritation, provocation, or intense agitation. It's not a casual annoyance but a deep, emotional, and spiritual disturbance, indicating Paul's profound grief and zeal for God in the face of such widespread spiritual blindness. The term "wholly given to idolatry" comes from kateidōlos (κατείδωλος), literally meaning "full of idols" or "down to idols," emphasizing the overwhelming presence of idol worship in the city.

Practical Application

Acts 17:16 challenges believers today to cultivate a similar spiritual sensitivity. While modern idolatry may not always manifest in physical statues, it exists in anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives or society—be it wealth, power, entertainment, self, or ideologies. Like Paul, our spirits should be "stirred" by the spiritual brokenness and false worship around us, prompting us not to condemn from afar, but to engage with compassion and truth, presenting the one true God. This verse encourages us to discern contemporary forms of idolatry and to be prepared to articulate the Gospel clearly and relevantly, just as Paul did when he reasoned in the synagogue and the marketplace.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 119:158

    ¶ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

  • Psalms 119:136

    ¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

  • 2 Peter 2:7

    ¶ And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

  • Exodus 32:19

    And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

  • Exodus 32:20

    And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt [it] in the fire, and ground [it] to powder, and strawed [it] upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink [of it].

  • Job 32:18

    For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

  • Job 32:20

    I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

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