Acts 17:22

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Paul's address on Mars' Hill in Athens begins with a shrewd observation of the Athenians' deep religiosity. Standing before the intellectual and judicial elite on the Areopagus, he acknowledges their pervasive devotion to deities, subtly laying the groundwork to introduce the one true God whom they, in their extensive worship, had unknowingly sought to honor through an altar to an "unknown god." This opening sets the stage for a masterful presentation of the Gospel, bridging their existing spiritual inclinations with the revelation of Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 17:22 is the pivotal opening statement of Paul's renowned sermon on the Areopagus, following his arrival in Athens. The preceding verses ([Acts 17:16-21](/acts/17-16-21 "Paul's Arrival and Engagement in Athens")) describe Paul's distress over the city's pervasive idolatry and his daily debates in the marketplace, which caught the attention of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. These philosophers, intrigued by his "new doctrine" concerning Jesus and the resurrection, brought him to the Areopagus, the high court and intellectual center, to explain his teachings further. This verse marks Paul's strategic transition from informal debate to a formal, public address before a discerning audience, where he masterfully engages their worldview.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Athens in the first century AD was a shadow of its former political glory but remained the undisputed intellectual and cultural capital of the Greco-Roman world. It was a city teeming with philosophical schools (like the Epicureans, who pursued pleasure as the highest good, and the Stoics, who emphasized virtue, reason, and fate), countless idols, and altars dedicated to various gods, reflecting a profound, albeit misdirected, religious fervor. The Areopagus itself was not merely a hill but also the name of the venerable council that met there, responsible for religious matters, education, and moral oversight. Paul's audience comprised highly educated and skeptical individuals, accustomed to philosophical discourse and critical inquiry, making his approach particularly challenging and vital.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several key themes that permeate Paul's Areopagus sermon and his broader missionary strategy. Foremost is **Paul's Evangelistic Strategy**, showcasing his remarkable ability to find common ground and engage respectfully with diverse audiences, as seen throughout his ministry (cf. [1 Corinthians 9:22](/1_corinthians/9-22 "Paul's Adaptable Missionary Approach")). He begins not with condemnation but with an astute observation of their religiosity, using it as a bridge. Another theme is **Addressing Idolatry and Misdirected Worship**, where Paul subtly critiques their extensive polytheism and sets the stage to reveal the true God, whom they were unknowingly seeking (as highlighted by the altar to the [Unknown God in Acts 17:23](/acts/17-23 "The Altar to the Unknown God")). Finally, the passage exemplifies **Cultural Sensitivity and Accommodation**, demonstrating how Paul adapted his message to the intellectual and religious climate of Athens, a principle he applied consistently in his missionary endeavors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **superstitious (Greek, _deisidaimonésteros'_):** This word (G1174) is a compound of a term related to "fear" (deilos) and "demon" or "deity" (daimōn), literally meaning "more fearful of deities" or "more religious than others." The King James Version's translation "too superstitious" leans towards the negative connotation, implying excessive or misdirected religious fear. However, the Greek term is intentionally ambiguous. Paul likely used it to gently acknowledge their profound religiosity (a positive spin) while simultaneously hinting at its excessive or misdirected nature (a subtle critique), thus opening the door to introduce the true God without immediate offense.
* **I perceive (Greek, _theōréō'_):** This verb (G2334) means "to be a spectator of," "to discern," or "to behold." It implies a careful, thoughtful observation rather than a casual glance. Paul's use of this word highlights his keen awareness and analytical skill; he wasn't just passing through Athens but actively observing and understanding the spiritual landscape of the city, which then informed his strategic evangelistic approach.
* **all things (Greek, _pâs'_):** This adjective (G3956) means "all," "every," or "the whole." Its inclusion emphasizes the pervasive nature of Athenian religiosity. Paul isn't just saying they are religious in some aspects, but "in all things," indicating that their lives, culture, and public spaces were saturated with religious practices, altars, and idols. This comprehensive observation underscores the depth of their devotion, even if it was misdirected.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill,"**: This clause sets the scene for Paul's public address. His act of "standing" signifies taking a formal, authoritative posture in a prominent public forum, the Areopagus (Mars' Hill), which was the center of Athenian intellectual and judicial life. This was not a casual conversation but a deliberate engagement with the city's elite.
* **"and said, Ye men of Athens,"**: Paul directly addresses his audience, showing respect and acknowledging their identity. The phrase "men of Athens" is a common rhetorical device used in formal speeches, indicating a direct and earnest appeal to the citizens.
* **"I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious."**: This is Paul's opening hook. As discussed in the key word analysis, "too superstitious" (deisidaimonésteros) is a rhetorically brilliant choice. Paul observes their pervasive religiosity ("in all things") and uses a term that can be interpreted positively ("very religious") or negatively ("excessively superstitious"). This ambiguity allows him to commend their zeal while subtly preparing them for a critique of their misdirected worship, paving the way to introduce the "Unknown God" and, ultimately, the one true God.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's opening statement masterfully employs several literary devices. **Ethos** is immediately established as Paul demonstrates his keen observational skills and cultural awareness, immediately gaining a measure of credibility with his intellectual audience. The use of **Ambiguity** in the term "deisidaimonésteros" (too superstitious/very religious) is a brilliant strategic move, allowing Paul to commend their spiritual earnestness while simultaneously laying the groundwork for correction without immediate offense. This rhetorical finesse is a form of **Apostolic Accommodation**, where Paul adapts his communication style to his audience's context, mirroring his principle of becoming "all things to all people" ([1 Corinthians 9:22](/1_corinthians/9-22 "Paul's Adaptable Missionary Approach")). Furthermore, Paul's observation functions as a subtle **Irony**, as their extensive efforts to worship every conceivable deity, including an unknown one, paradoxically reveal their ignorance of the one true God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's opening on Mars' Hill is a profound demonstration of contextualized evangelism, rooted in a deep understanding of God's universal sovereignty and humanity's inherent spiritual longing. Theologically, it affirms that God has placed a sense of the divine in all people, even those who worship idols, creating a "point of contact" for the Gospel. Paul doesn't dismiss their religiosity but sees it as a misdirected yearning for the true God, whom they "ignorantly worship." This approach highlights the biblical truth that God is not confined to temples made by human hands but is the Creator and Sustainer of all life, calling all people everywhere to repentance. It underscores the missionary imperative to engage with diverse worldviews, seeking to bridge the gap between human experience and divine revelation.

* [Romans 1:19-20](/romans/1-19-20 "God's Revelation in Creation") - Paul's argument here aligns with the idea that God's invisible attributes are clearly seen in creation, leaving humanity without excuse, which informs his ability to perceive the Athenians' innate spiritual awareness.
* [John 4:22-24](/john/4-22-24 "True Worshipers Worship in Spirit and Truth") - Jesus's discourse with the Samaritan woman speaks to the nature of true worship, contrasting with the Athenians' misdirected devotion and foreshadowing Paul's call to worship God in spirit and truth.
* [Isaiah 45:22](/isaiah/45-22 "God's Universal Call to Salvation") - This Old Testament verse emphasizes God's universal call for all ends of the earth to look to Him and be saved, providing a theological foundation for Paul's inclusive yet corrective approach to the Athenians.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's strategic and sensitive opening on Mars' Hill offers invaluable lessons for contemporary evangelism and cross-cultural engagement. In a world increasingly diverse in beliefs and often skeptical of traditional religious claims, Paul demonstrates the power of starting with observation, respect, and finding common ground rather than immediate confrontation. His ability to discern a spiritual longing, even amidst pervasive idolatry, challenges believers to look beyond surface-level differences and identify the underlying human search for meaning, purpose, and transcendence. This approach encourages us to listen intently, understand worldviews, and then, from a place of genuine connection, gently guide others towards the revelation of the true God in Jesus Christ. It reminds us that effective communication of the Gospel requires both theological faithfulness and cultural intelligence, seeking to build bridges rather than walls, and always pointing to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I cultivate Paul's observational skills to better understand the spiritual landscape of my own community or sphere of influence?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to immediately condemn or dismiss others' beliefs, and how can I instead seek common ground or points of spiritual longing?**
* **How can I adapt my communication of the Gospel to be culturally sensitive and relevant without compromising biblical truth, mirroring Paul's approach in Athens?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Paul's choice of the word "superstitious" in Acts 17:22?**

Answer: Paul's choice of the Greek word _deisidaimonésteros_ (G1174), translated as "too superstitious" in the KJV, is highly significant due to its inherent ambiguity. The term can carry both a positive connotation, meaning "very religious" or "devout," and a negative one, implying "fearful of deities" or "superstitious." Paul, a master rhetorician, likely used this term deliberately to achieve a dual purpose. On one hand, it allowed him to acknowledge and even subtly commend the Athenians' pervasive religious zeal ("in all things"), which was evident in their numerous altars and idols. This respectful opening helped him gain a hearing from an intellectual and often skeptical audience, avoiding immediate offense. On the other hand, the term's negative undertone subtly hinted at the misdirection or excess of their worship, setting the stage for Paul to introduce the true God whom they had unknowingly sought to honor through an altar to an [Unknown God](/acts/17-23 "The Altar to the Unknown God"). This rhetorical finesse allowed Paul to bridge their existing spiritual framework with the revelation of the Gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's address on Mars' Hill, beginning with his observation in [Acts 17:22](/acts/17-22 "Paul's Opening on Mars' Hill"), serves as a powerful Christ-centered fulfillment of humanity's innate spiritual longing. While the Athenians worshipped a multitude of gods and even an "unknown god," Paul reveals that this yearning for the divine finds its ultimate and true object in Jesus Christ. The "unknown god" they sought to appease is unveiled as the Creator God, who "made the world and everything in it" ([Acts 17:24](/acts/17-24 "God as Creator in Paul's Sermon")), and this God is revealed definitively through His Son, Jesus. Paul's sermon culminates in the proclamation of Jesus's resurrection from the dead ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "The Resurrection as Proof of God's Judgment")), which is the divine proof of His identity as the appointed judge of the world and the one through whom God calls all people to repentance. Thus, Christ is presented as the answer to humanity's deepest spiritual questions, the one who brings light to those who walk in darkness, fulfilling the universal human search for truth, meaning, and a relationship with the divine, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 9:2](/isaiah/9-2 "The People Walking in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light"). He is the one in whom "we live and move and have our being" ([Acts 17:28](/acts/17-28 "Paul Quoting Greek Poets")), and through whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Christ as Sustainer of All Things")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

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.