Acts 17:22

¶ Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, [Ye] men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

Then {G1161} Paul {G3972} stood {G2476} in {G1722} the midst {G3319} of Mars' hill {G697}, and said {G5346}, Ye men {G435} of Athens {G117}, I perceive {G2334} that {G5613} in {G2596} all things {G3956} ye {G5209} are too superstitious {G1174}.

Sha’ul stood up in the Council meeting and said, “Men of Athens: I see how very religious you are in every way!

Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious.

And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very religious.

Commentary

Context

This verse marks the beginning of one of the Apostle Paul's most famous speeches, delivered on Mars' Hill (the Areopagus) in Athens. Paul had arrived in Athens and was distressed by the city's pervasive idolatry, seeing numerous altars and statues dedicated to various gods. He engaged in daily discussions in the marketplace, attracting the attention of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, who then brought him to the Areopagus, a prominent judicial and philosophical council site, to hear his "new doctrine." Paul, ever strategic in his evangelism, begins by observing their religious fervor.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Paul's Evangelistic Strategy: Paul's opening statement demonstrates his skill in finding common ground and engaging respectfully with his audience, even when challenging their worldview. He doesn't immediately condemn but rather acknowledges their deep religious inclination.
  • Addressing Idolatry and Misdirected Worship: While seemingly complimentary, Paul's choice of words subtly points to the excess or misdirection of their worship. He uses their religiosity as a springboard to introduce the true God, whom they unknowingly sought.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Paul adapts his message to his audience, starting from their cultural context (their many gods and altars) before moving to the Gospel message, a pattern seen throughout his missionary journeys.

Linguistic Insight

The King James Version translates the Greek word deisidaimonesterous (δείσιδαιμονεστέρους) as "too superstitious." This word is significant because it has a dual meaning. It can mean "very religious" or "devout" (positive connotation) or "superstitious" and "fearful of deities" (negative connotation). Paul likely chose this ambiguous term deliberately. By saying "I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious," he could be gently acknowledging their religiosity while setting the stage to explain how their worship was misdirected, leading them toward the "Unknown God". This rhetorical finesse allowed him to gain a hearing without immediately offending.

Practical Application

Paul's approach in Acts 17:22 offers a powerful lesson for engaging with diverse worldviews today. Rather than immediately condemning, we can seek points of connection or common interest.

  • Find Common Ground: Look for shared values, concerns, or even misdirected spiritual longings in others. Paul used their religiosity as a bridge, not a barrier.
  • Respectful Engagement: Even when challenging beliefs, maintain a respectful posture. Paul didn't insult the Athenians but used their own observations to introduce a deeper truth.
  • Point to the Unknown God: Many people today may be spiritually searching or have a vague sense of a higher power but lack a clear understanding of the one true God. Like Paul, we can gently guide them from their current understanding to the revelation of God in Christ, leading to a call for repentance and belief.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Acts 25:19

    But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

  • Acts 19:35

    And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, [Ye] men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 50:38

    A drought [is] upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it [is] the land of graven images, and they are mad upon [their] idols.

  • Jeremiah 10:2

    Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

  • Jeremiah 10:3

    For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
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