Acts 17:24

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;

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};

“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;

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.

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

Acts 17:24 is a foundational statement from the Apostle Paul's renowned sermon on Mars Hill (Areopagus) in Athens. This verse introduces the true nature of God to a highly religious, polytheistic, and philosophical audience.

Context

Paul found himself in Athens, a city "wholly given to idolatry" (Acts 17:16), filled with temples and idols dedicated to numerous gods. He was invited by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers to explain his "new doctrine" (Acts 17:19). Paul begins his discourse by acknowledging their religiosity and using an altar "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" as his starting point (Acts 17:23). This verse, Acts 17:24, immediately establishes the immense difference between the God he proclaims and the deities they worshiped.

Key Themes

  • God as Supreme Creator: The verse opens by declaring God as the one "that made the world and all things therein." This asserts His absolute sovereignty and ownership over all creation, contrasting sharply with the limited, often quarreling, gods of Greek mythology. He is the original source of all existence, echoing the opening of Genesis 1:1.
  • God's Transcendence and Omnipresence: By stating "he is Lord of heaven and earth," Paul emphasizes God's boundless dominion. He is not confined to a particular realm but governs the entire cosmos.
  • Critique of Idolatry and Human Limitation: The powerful declaration, "dwelleth not in temples made with hands," directly challenges the Athenian practice of building elaborate physical structures to house their gods. It implies that the true God is too vast and glorious to be contained or served by human constructions. This theme is consistent with Old Testament teachings, such as Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:27 and Isaiah 66:1-2, which highlight God's inability to be contained by any human-made dwelling.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "temples made with hands" translates the Greek word cheiropoietos (χειροποίητος), which literally means "hand-made" or "made by human hands." This term is often used in the New Testament to distinguish between things created by God and things produced by human effort, particularly in religious contexts. Here, it underscores the futility of attempting to confine the infinite God within finite, human-constructed spaces, whether physical temples or conceptual limitations.

Practical Application

Acts 17:24 remains profoundly relevant today. It reminds us that God is not limited to church buildings, specific rituals, or human traditions. True worship is not about a physical location or external acts, but about acknowledging God's infinite power, His role as Creator, and His sovereign rule over all things. It challenges any notion that we can contain, manipulate, or impress God with our own efforts. Instead, it calls us to a spiritual worship that recognizes His immensity and transcendence, as Jesus taught in John 4:24.

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.

  • 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?

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