Acts 17:25

Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Neither {G3761} is worshipped {G2323} with {G5259} men's {G444} hands {G5495}, as though he needed {G4326} any thing {G5100}, seeing he {G846} giveth {G1325} to all {G3956} life {G2222}, and {G2532} breath {G4157}, and {G2596} all things {G3956};

nor is he served by human hands, as if he lacked something; since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything to everyone.

Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Acts 17:25 (KJV) is a profound statement from the Apostle Paul's sermon on Mars Hill in Athens, powerfully articulating the nature of God in contrast to pagan deities and human-centric worship.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's famous address to the Athenian philosophers and intellectuals at the Areopagus (Mars Hill). He begins by noting their religious devotion, even to an "UNKNOWN GOD," and then proceeds to reveal the true God. Paul's message directly challenges the prevailing idolatry and philosophical assumptions of the time, where gods were often perceived as needing human service, sacrifices, or dwelling in man-made temples. He lays the theological foundation that God is not a creation of man, but the Creator of all.

Key Themes

  • God's Self-Sufficiency (Aseity): The phrase "as though he needed any thing" underscores God's complete independence and self-existence. He does not require anything from humanity, including our worship, to fulfill His own being or purpose. This stands in stark contrast to human gods who were thought to depend on offerings or temples. This concept is echoed in Psalm 50:10-12, where God declares His ownership of all things.
  • God as the Ultimate Giver and Sustainer: The latter part of the verse, "seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things," highlights God as the supreme source of all existence and provision. He is the active provider of every necessity, from the very essence of life and breath to all material blessings. This truth reveals humanity's utter dependence on Him. This aligns with the biblical narrative of creation, such as when God breathed life into Adam, and the New Testament declaration that in Him all things hold together.
  • Critique of Idolatry and Misconceptions of Worship: Paul's opening statement, "Neither is worshipped with men's hands," directly condemns the practice of idolatry and the notion that God can be contained or served by human artifacts or rituals alone. True worship is not about fabricating or providing for God, but about acknowledging His sovereignty and receiving from His abundance. This concept challenges the very foundation of pagan worship and reminds us of the commandment against making graven images.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "worshipped with men's hands" translates the Greek cheiropoietos (χειροποίητος), meaning "made by hands" or "done by hands," often used in the New Testament to describe man-made idols or temples, implying their inadequacy. The verb "worshipped" is from therapeuō (θεραπεύω), which can mean "to serve," "to heal," or "to attend to." Here, it carries the sense of rendering service or homage as if God needed tending or provision, which Paul emphatically denies. God is not dependent on human service in the way a physical being might be.

Practical Application

Acts 17:25 calls believers to a deeper understanding of God's nature and true worship.

  1. True Worship is Spirit-Led, Not Hand-Driven: Our worship should not be focused on what we can "give" or "do" for God out of a sense of His need, but rather on acknowledging His supreme authority, receiving His grace, and responding with gratitude and obedience. As Jesus taught, God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
  2. Humility and Dependence: This verse fosters humility, reminding us that we are utterly dependent on God for our very existence and everything we possess. It shifts our perspective from self-reliance to divine reliance.
  3. A Call to Gratitude: Recognizing that God freely gives "life, and breath, and all things" should inspire profound gratitude and lead us to live lives that honor Him as the benevolent Creator and Sustainer.

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 50:8

    I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, [to have been] continually before me.

  • Psalms 50:13

    Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

  • Genesis 2:7

    And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  • Acts 17:28

    For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

  • Romans 11:35

    Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

  • Isaiah 42:5

    ¶ Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

  • Job 33:4

    The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
← Back