Acts 17:24

KJV

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

KJV (with Strong's)

God {G2316} that made {G4160} the world {G2889} and {G2532} all things {G3956} therein {G1722}{G846}, seeing that he {G3778} is {G5225} Lord {G2962} of heaven {G3772} and {G2532} earth {G1093}, dwelleth {G2730} not {G3756} in {G1722} temples {G3485} made with hands {G5499};

Complete Jewish Bible

“The God who made the universe and everything in it, and who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in man-made temples;

Berean Standard Bible

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.

American Standard Version

The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 17:24 encapsulates a foundational truth declared by the Apostle Paul during his sermon on Mars Hill in Athens, introducing the true nature of God to a highly religious, polytheistic, and philosophical audience. In this pivotal statement, Paul asserts God's ultimate sovereignty as the Creator of the universe and all within it, simultaneously challenging the prevalent idolatrous practices by proclaiming that this transcendent God cannot be confined to or served by human-made structures, such as temples.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the opening declaration of Paul's renowned sermon on the Areopagus, following his arrival in Athens and his spirit being provoked by the city's pervasive idolatry ([Acts 17:16](/acts/17-16 "Acts 17:16 - Paul's Spirit Provoked")). After engaging with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in the marketplace, he is invited to the Areopagus to explain his "new teaching" ([Acts 17:18-19](/acts/17-18-19 "Acts 17:18-19 - Paul Debates Philosophers")). Paul masterfully begins by acknowledging their religiosity and leveraging an altar "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" ([Acts 17:23](/acts/17-23 "Acts 17:23 - The Altar to the Unknown God")) as a bridge to introduce the one true God. Acts 17:24 immediately establishes the radical difference between the God he proclaims and the limited, human-conceived deities of their pantheon, setting the stage for a comprehensive theological discourse on God's nature, humanity's dependence, and the call to repentance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Athens in the first century AD was a vibrant intellectual and religious center, renowned for its philosophical schools (Epicureanism, Stoicism, Platonism, etc.) and its countless temples, altars, and idols dedicated to a vast array of gods and goddesses. Religious devotion was deeply interwoven with civic life, yet their understanding of the divine was often anthropomorphic, portraying gods with human-like flaws and limitations. The concept of a single, transcendent God who created all things and was not confined to physical structures was profoundly counter-cultural to the Athenians, who believed their gods resided within their elaborate temples and could be appeased by human rituals and offerings. Paul's message directly confronted this worldview, challenging their deeply ingrained religious assumptions and cultural practices.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 17:24 introduces several crucial theological themes that Paul develops throughout his sermon. Foremost among these is God's **absolute sovereignty and transcendence** as the supreme Creator of the "world and all things therein," asserting His boundless dominion over both "heaven and earth" ([Acts 17:24](/acts/17-24 "Acts 17:24 - God as Creator and Lord")). This immediately contrasts with the limited, localized deities of Greek mythology. The verse also powerfully critiques **idolatry and human attempts to contain the divine**, emphasizing that the true God "dwelleth not in temples made with hands." This theme highlights God's self-sufficiency and His inability to be served or contained by human efforts, setting the stage for Paul's subsequent arguments about humanity's dependence on God and the call to repentance from ignorance and idolatry ([Acts 17:25-30](/acts/17-25-30 "Acts 17:25-30 - God's Nature and Call to Repentance")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** G2316. This term refers to a deity, but specifically, with the definite article (implied here), it denotes the supreme Divinity. Paul uses this term to introduce the one true God, distinguishing Him from the numerous, often conflicting, gods of the Athenian pantheon. He is not merely *a* god, but *the* God, the ultimate divine being.
* **world (Greek, _kósmos'_):** G2889. Derived from a word meaning "orderly arrangement" or "decoration," _kósmos_ here refers to the universe in its entirety, including its inhabitants. By stating that God "made the world," Paul emphasizes God's role as the intelligent, sovereign architect and sustainer of all creation, implying purpose and design rather than chaotic chance or the limited domains of lesser gods.
* **made with hands (Greek, _cheiropoíētos'_):** G5499. This compound word literally means "hand-made" or "produced by human hands." Its use here is crucial, serving as a direct indictment of idolatry and the human tendency to confine the divine within physical structures or human constructs. It underscores the futility of attempting to house or serve the infinite, transcendent God through finite, human-crafted means.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"God that made the world and all things therein":** This opening clause establishes God's supreme identity as the Creator. It asserts His absolute sovereignty and ownership over the entire cosmos, from the largest celestial bodies to the smallest elements of life on earth. This declaration immediately challenges the polytheistic worldview, positing a single, all-powerful origin point for existence.
* **"seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth":** This phrase further elaborates on God's dominion. "Lord" (Greek, _kýrios_) signifies supreme authority and control. By stating He is Lord of "heaven and earth," Paul emphasizes God's boundless reign, encompassing both the celestial and terrestrial realms. He is not confined to a particular sphere but governs the entire created order, transcending all human limitations and categories.
* **"dwelleth not in temples made with hands;":** This is a profound theological statement and a direct critique of the Athenian religious practices. The word "dwelleth" (Greek, _katoikéō_) implies permanent residence. Paul asserts that the infinite, transcendent God cannot be contained or housed permanently within finite, human-constructed buildings ("temples made with hands"). This challenges the very notion that God needs human-built structures or human service, instead pointing to His self-sufficiency and immense glory that surpasses any physical dwelling.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in this concise verse. **Antithesis** is central, contrasting the infinite, uncreated God with finite, human-made temples. This creates a stark distinction between the true nature of the divine and the limited human perception of it. The phrase "made with hands" also functions as a form of **Synecdoche**, where "hands" represent the entirety of human effort, ingenuity, and limitation. Furthermore, the entire statement serves as a form of **Apostrophe** (though not directly addressing an absent entity, it addresses a false premise), directly challenging the prevalent idolatrous practices of the Athenians with a declarative statement of divine truth. The verse is also an example of **Didacticism**, as Paul uses it to teach a fundamental theological truth to his audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 17:24 is a profound theological statement that echoes and reinforces core biblical truths about God's nature. It underscores His transcendence, His immanence (though not in the sense of being contained), and His absolute sovereignty as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. This verse directly challenges any anthropocentric view of God, asserting that He is not dependent on human constructs or service. It lays the groundwork for understanding true worship as a spiritual acknowledgment of God's immense glory, rather than a reliance on physical locations or rituals. This truth liberates believers from the notion that God is limited to specific places or human efforts, inviting them into a boundless relationship with the infinite Creator.

* [1 Kings 8:27](/1_kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication")
* [Isaiah 66:1-2](/isaiah/66-1-2 "Isaiah 66:1-2 - God's Throne and Dwelling")
* [John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 17:24 offers a timeless truth that calls us to re-evaluate our understanding of God and our worship. In a world that often seeks to reduce God to manageable concepts or confine Him within human-defined boundaries, this verse reminds us of His boundless nature. It challenges us to consider if we, like the Athenians, inadvertently limit God by our traditions, our expectations, or even our church buildings. True worship is not about the grandeur of our structures or the perfection of our rituals, but about acknowledging the infinite God who created and sustains all things. It calls us to a humility that recognizes our utter dependence on Him and a faith that understands He is not served by human hands, but rather, He is the source of all life and breath. This verse invites us to expand our vision of God beyond our comfortable confines and embrace His immeasurable majesty, allowing Him to truly be Lord over every aspect of our lives and the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, consciously or unconsciously, try to "contain" God within my own understanding, traditions, or expectations?**
* **How does understanding God as the Creator and Lord of "heaven and earth" impact my daily perspective on life, challenges, and blessings?**
* **If God does not dwell in "temples made with hands," what does true, spiritual worship look like in my personal life and in the community of believers?**

### FAQ
**What does "dwelleth not in temples made with hands" mean in a modern context?**

Answer: In a modern context, "dwelleth not in temples made with hands" means that God is not limited to or contained by physical church buildings, religious institutions, human traditions, or man-made rituals. While physical places of worship can be important for community and corporate worship, God's presence and power are not confined to them. This statement challenges any notion that God can be manipulated, controlled, or impressed by human efforts, architectural grandeur, or specific religious practices. It emphasizes God's transcendence and omnipresence, reminding us that He is Spirit and must be worshipped in spirit and truth, as Jesus taught in [John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"). It calls us to recognize that God is active and present everywhere, inviting a spiritual relationship that extends beyond the walls of any building.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 17:24, while spoken in a pre-Christian context, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul's declaration that God, the Creator and Lord of all, "dwelleth not in temples made with hands" foreshadows the New Covenant reality where God's presence is no longer localized in a physical temple in Jerusalem, but is made accessible through Christ. Jesus himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the temple of his body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")). Through Christ's sacrifice, the veil of the temple was torn ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying that direct access to God was now available to all believers, not just through a priestly class or within a specific building. Moreover, in Christ, God's dwelling place is now among His people, as believers are collectively described as "a holy temple in the Lord" ([Ephesians 2:21](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21 - Believers as a Holy Temple")) and the Holy Spirit indwells individual believers ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the truth of Acts 17:24 is not merely a negative statement about physical temples, but a positive affirmation of God's new, intimate, and spiritual dwelling among humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ, making Him accessible to all who believe, regardless of location.

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

1 Kings 8:27

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Deuteronomy 10:14

Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD'S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].

Acts 7:48

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Isaiah 66:1

¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?

2 Chronicles 6:18

But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

Matthew 11:25

¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

2 Chronicles 2:6

But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who [am] I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?