Acts 17:27

KJV

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

KJV (with Strong's)

That they should seek {G2212} the Lord {G2962}, if {G1487} haply {G686} they might feel {G5584} after him {G846}, and {G2532} find him {G2147}, though {G2544} he be {G5225} not {G3756} far {G3112} from {G575} every {G1538} one {G1520} of us {G2257}:

Complete Jewish Bible

God did this so that people would look for him and perhaps reach out and find him although in fact, he is not far from each one of us,

Berean Standard Bible

God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.

American Standard Version

that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 17:27 encapsulates a core aspect of God's providential design for humanity, articulated by the Apostle Paul on the Areopagus. It reveals that God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer, has ordered the times and dwelling places of all nations with a singular, redemptive purpose: that humanity might actively seek Him, even if by a groping, intuitive search, and ultimately discover Him. This divine intention is grounded in the profound truth that God is not a distant or inaccessible deity, but is intimately near to every individual.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 17:27 is a pivotal statement within Paul's renowned sermon delivered to the Athenian philosophers on the Areopagus. Having arrived in Athens, Paul's spirit was deeply provoked by the city's pervasive idolatry, leading him to engage in daily discussions in the synagogue and the marketplace ([Acts 17:16-17](/acts/17-16-17 "Paul's Distress and Daily Debates in Athens")). His intellectual and spiritual fervor caught the attention of Stoic and Epicurean philosophers, who, curious about his "new teaching," invited him to speak at the Areopagus, the ancient judicial and intellectual center ([Acts 17:18-20](/acts/17-18-20 "Paul Invited to the Areopagus")). Paul masterfully begins his address by acknowledging their altar "To the Unknown God," using it as a strategic bridge to introduce the one true God—the Creator of the universe, who does not dwell in temples made by human hands and is not served by human needs ([Acts 17:22-25](/acts/17-22-25 "Paul's Introduction of the True God")). Verse 27, therefore, logically follows, explaining God's ultimate purpose in creating and sustaining humanity: to enable and encourage their search for Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Athens in the first century AD was the intellectual and philosophical capital of the Roman world, a city steeped in polytheism, philosophical discourse, and artistic expression. The Areopagus (Mars Hill) was a prominent rock outcropping near the Acropolis, serving historically as a high court and, by Paul's time, a place for philosophical debate and public discourse. The Stoics, who emphasized reason, virtue, and living in harmony with nature, and the Epicureans, who sought pleasure (often interpreted as tranquility and freedom from disturbance) as the highest good, represented the dominant philosophical schools Paul encountered. Their worldviews often posited a distant or impersonal deity, or a pantheon of gods indifferent to human affairs. Paul's assertion of a personal, immanent God who actively seeks relationship with humanity directly challenged these prevailing notions, presenting a radical alternative to their deeply ingrained religious and philosophical systems.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **God's Universal Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating that His divine plan extends to the very existence, habitation, and historical trajectory of all nations ([Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "God's Sovereignty Over Nations")). Secondly, it highlights **Humanity's Innate Spiritual Longing**, suggesting a divinely implanted desire or capacity within all people to seek and find their Creator, even if imperfectly or ignorantly. This longing is not accidental but part of God's design. Thirdly, the verse powerfully conveys **God's Immanence and Accessibility**, countering the idea of a remote or uncaring deity. The declaration that God is "not far from every one of us" emphasizes His constant presence and readiness to be found, making the human search for Him a tangible and hopeful endeavor, as is further expounded in passages like [Jeremiah 29:13](/jeremiah/29-13 "Seeking God with All Your Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Greek, _zētéō_):** This verb implies an active, intentional, and often diligent pursuit. It is not a passive waiting but an earnest endeavor to discover or obtain something. In this context, it speaks to humanity's responsibility to engage in a spiritual quest, to inquire after God, and to strive for knowledge of Him. It can encompass both a genuine spiritual hunger and, in other contexts, a malevolent plotting. Here, it is clearly the former, a divinely intended pursuit.
* **feel after (Greek, _psēlapháō_):** This word literally means "to grope, to touch, to handle," often used in the context of feeling one's way in the dark or by touch. It conveys a sense of searching that might be uncertain, perhaps even desperate, lacking clear sight or full understanding. It suggests an experiential, tactile, and intuitive reaching out for God, even when intellectual clarity or direct revelation is absent. It implies that humanity, even in its ignorance, possesses an innate, if sometimes clumsy, capacity to perceive God's presence.
* **find (Greek, _heurískō_):** This verb means "to discover, to obtain, to perceive." It signifies the successful outcome of the search implied by _zētéō_ and _psēlapháō_. It suggests that the seeking is not futile, but that God can indeed be found. The act of finding implies a revelation or an encounter, moving from a state of searching to a state of knowing or experiencing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That they should seek the Lord":** This clause reveals God's ultimate purpose in orchestrating human history and habitation. It is a teleological statement, indicating that the entire arrangement of human life, including the establishment of nations and their boundaries, is designed to prompt humanity to actively pursue a relationship with their Creator. This seeking is not merely intellectual but involves a deep, existential quest for meaning and connection with the divine.
* **"if haply they might feel after him, and find him":** This phrase describes the *manner* of seeking and the *potential outcome*. The "if haply" (Greek, _ei ára_) suggests a conditional possibility, perhaps acknowledging the difficulty or uncertainty of the human search without direct revelation, or perhaps a rhetorical flourish to emphasize the divine initiative. The imagery of "feeling after him" (_psēlapháō_) vividly portrays a tactile, groping search, like someone blind or in darkness trying to discern an object by touch. This suggests that even an imperfect, intuitive, or desperate search can lead to discovery. The conjunction "and find him" indicates that the purpose of this groping search is ultimately successful, implying that God is indeed discoverable by those who genuinely seek.
* **"though he be not far from every one of us":** This concluding clause provides the profound theological basis for the possibility of finding God. It asserts God's immanence and accessibility. Despite humanity's often fumbling search, God is not remote, distant, or indifferent. He is intimately present and near to all people, making the search for Him a viable and hopeful endeavor rather than a futile quest for an absent deity. This truth underscores God's active presence within His creation and His desire to be known.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's address in Acts 17:27 employs several powerful literary devices. The phrase "feel after him" is a striking **Metaphor**, comparing the spiritual search for God to a physical act of groping in the dark. This vivid imagery conveys the often uncertain, yet persistent, nature of humanity's intuitive quest for the divine, acknowledging that people may not always know exactly what they are looking for or how to find it, but they are nonetheless reaching out. There is also an element of **Paradox** in the verse: humanity is urged to "seek" and "feel after" a God who is simultaneously "not far." This highlights the tension between humanity's need to actively pursue God and God's inherent omnipresence and accessibility. Paul's entire sermon, including this verse, functions as a powerful example of **Didacticism**, serving to instruct and teach his audience about the true nature of God and humanity's relationship to Him, moving them from ignorance to understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 17:27 resonates deeply with the biblical concept of general revelation, asserting that God has made Himself knowable to all humanity through creation, conscience, and the ordering of history. This verse posits that God's providential arrangement of human existence—including the timing and location of nations—is fundamentally designed to prompt a spiritual yearning and search for Him. It challenges the notion of a remote, deistic God, instead presenting a personal, immanent Creator who desires to be found by His creation. This divine accessibility means that the human search for meaning and purpose, often expressed through diverse religious and philosophical systems, is not a random evolutionary byproduct but a divinely implanted impulse, a longing for the One who is truly near.

* [Psalm 19:1-4](/psalm/19-1-4 "The Heavens Declare God's Glory")
* [Romans 1:19-20](/romans/1-19-20 "God's Invisible Qualities Clearly Seen")
* [Deuteronomy 4:29](/deuteronomy/4-29 "Seeking God with All Your Heart and Soul")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 17:27 offers profound encouragement and a clear call to action for both seekers and believers. For those who feel a spiritual void, a sense of longing, or are grappling with life's ultimate questions, this verse affirms that such an internal search is not futile but divinely orchestrated. It assures us that God is not a distant, unconcerned deity, but is intimately present and desires to be found. This truth validates the innate human impulse to seek something beyond the material, confirming that the "unknown God" many ignorantly worship or vaguely sense is, in fact, the living God who is "not far from every one of us." For believers, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's universal presence and His active involvement in human affairs, even in cultures seemingly far from Him. It provides a foundational truth for evangelism, underscoring that people are inherently seeking God, whether they realize it or not, and that our mission is to point them to the One who is truly near and fully revealed in Jesus Christ. It encourages us to engage with the spiritual hunger in the world, recognizing that God has already prepared hearts to "feel after" Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have you personally experienced a "feeling after" God, even before you fully knew Him?**
* **How does the truth that God is "not far from every one of us" impact your understanding of His character and His relationship with humanity?**
* **How can this verse inform your approach to sharing the Gospel with those who are searching for meaning or purpose?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more intentionally "seek the Lord" in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does "feel after him" imply about humanity's search for God?**

Answer: The phrase "feel after him" (Greek, _psēlapháō_) implies a search that is tactile, groping, and perhaps uncertain, much like someone feeling their way in the dark. It suggests that even without perfect knowledge or clear sight, humanity has an innate, intuitive capacity to reach out for God. It speaks to an experiential seeking, not just intellectual assent, acknowledging that people may be searching for God even when they don't fully understand what or whom they are seeking. It highlights God's accessibility even to those whose understanding is limited, demonstrating that He can be perceived through a less defined, yet genuine, spiritual longing. This aligns with the idea that God has placed eternity in the human heart ([Ecclesiastes 3:11](/ecclesiastes/3-11 "God Has Placed Eternity in the Human Heart")).

**Does this verse suggest that everyone will find God, regardless of their beliefs?**

Answer: Acts 17:27 states God's *purpose* in ordering human existence—"that they should seek the Lord... and find him"—and affirms His *accessibility* ("though he be not far from every one of us"). It speaks to God's universal desire for humanity to know Him and His active presence that makes finding Him possible. However, it does not guarantee that everyone *will* find Him, as human free will and response are still involved. The "if haply" (Greek, _ei ára_) suggests a condition or possibility, implying that while God is near and desires to be found, humanity must still respond to that divine prompting. The Bible consistently teaches that finding God requires a responsive heart, repentance, and faith, ultimately through the revelation of Jesus Christ ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

**How does this verse relate to the concept of general revelation?**

Answer: Acts 17:27 is a cornerstone passage for understanding general revelation. Paul argues that God has not left Himself without witness, but has made Himself known to all humanity through His creation and His providential ordering of history and human habitation. The very existence of nations, their boundaries, and their historical development are all part of God's design to prompt humanity to seek Him. This means that everyone, regardless of their access to special revelation (like the Bible or the Gospel), has some innate knowledge or sense of God's existence and power, leading them to "feel after him." This aligns with other biblical texts like [Psalm 19:1-4](/psalm/19-1-4 "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God") and [Romans 1:19-20](/romans/1-19-20 "God's Invisible Qualities Clearly Seen"), which assert that God's attributes are clearly perceived through what has been made, leaving humanity without excuse.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 17:27 speaks of a universal human search for God, and God's immanent presence making that search possible, the New Testament reveals that this seeking ultimately finds its definitive and complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "Lord" whom humanity is to seek and find is fully embodied in the person of Jesus. He is not merely a guide to God, but the very "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Jesus, the Image of the Invisible God")), the one through whom the Father is perfectly revealed. The "feeling after" God, which may be a groping in the dark for many, becomes a clear vision in Christ, who declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The God who is "not far from every one of us" drew supremely near in the Incarnation, dwelling among us as Emmanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Emmanuel, God With Us")). Therefore, the universal human longing for God, highlighted by Paul, is ultimately satisfied not by an abstract philosophical search, but by a personal encounter with the risen Christ, through whom we are reconciled to the very God whom we were created to seek and find ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "Reconciliation Through Christ")).

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

Jeremiah 23:23

[Am] I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?

Jeremiah 23:24

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Deuteronomy 4:7

For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]?

Acts 14:17

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Romans 1:20

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Psalms 19:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalms 19:6

His going forth [is] from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.