Acts 17:28

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} in {G1722} him {G846} we live {G2198}, and {G2532} move {G2795}, and {G2532} have our being {G2070}; as {G5613} certain {G5100} also {G2532} of your {G5209} own {G2596} poets {G4163} have said {G2046}, For {G1063} we are {G2070} also {G2532} his {G5120} offspring {G1085}.

Complete Jewish Bible

‘for in him we live and move and exist.’ Indeed, as some of the poets among you have said, ‘We are actually his children.’

Berean Standard Bible

‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 17:28, delivered by the Apostle Paul on Mars' Hill in Athens, profoundly articulates humanity's absolute dependence on God for existence and sustenance, asserting that "in him we live, and move, and have our being." This pivotal verse also highlights humanity's unique relationship with the Creator, declaring that "we are also his offspring," a truth Paul strategically affirmed by quoting their own revered Greek poets to bridge the gap between pagan philosophy and the gospel message of the one true God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 17:28 is a central declaration within Paul's renowned sermon to the Athenian philosophers on the Areopagus, detailed in [Acts 17:16-34](/acts/17-16-34 "Acts 17:16-34 - Paul's Sermon on Mars' Hill"). Having observed the city's pervasive idolatry and the altar "To the Unknown God" ([Acts 17:23](/acts/17-23 "Acts 17:23 - The Altar to the Unknown God")), Paul seizes this opportunity to introduce them to the God who made the world and everything in it, who does not dwell in temples made by human hands, and who gives life and breath to all. This verse serves as a foundational theological statement, explaining *who* this God is in relation to humanity before Paul transitions to the call for repentance and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It builds directly upon the preceding verses that establish God's sovereignty as Creator and Sustainer.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Athens in the first century AD was the intellectual and cultural heart of the Roman Empire, a city renowned for its philosophical schools (Stoics, Epicureans), rhetoric, and numerous idols. Paul, distressed by the city's idolatry ([Acts 17:16](/acts/17-16 "Acts 17:16 - Paul's Distress in Athens")), engaged with these diverse philosophical groups. Epicureans believed in a detached, indifferent god and a universe governed by chance, while Stoics posited an impersonal, immanent divine reason or "world-soul" that permeated all things. Paul's genius lay in his contextualized evangelism; rather than directly condemning their beliefs, he found common ground. He quoted or paraphrased lines from their own esteemed poets—Epimenides of Crete ("In him we live and move and have our being") and Aratus of Soli's *Phaenomena* ("For we are also his offspring"), possibly also Cleanthes' *Hymn to Zeus*. By appealing to their own intellectual heritage, Paul demonstrated that even their traditions contained glimpses of the truth about the one true God, thereby dismantling their intellectual defenses and preparing them to hear the gospel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Acts and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Immanence**: He is not a distant deity but the active, present Sustainer of all creation, in whom all life originates and is maintained. This directly challenges the prevailing philosophical views of the time. Another crucial theme is **Humanity's Divine Origin and Dignity**: The declaration "we are also his offspring" underscores that humans are not random products of evolution or impersonal forces, but bear a unique relationship to their Creator, echoing the biblical truth of humanity being created in [God's image](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Created in God's Image"). This inherent connection bestows immense dignity and value upon every human life. Finally, Paul's method exemplifies **Contextualized Evangelism**, demonstrating how to engage with diverse worldviews, finding points of contact and using familiar concepts to introduce radical truths without compromising the core message, a principle Paul himself articulated in [1 Corinthians 9:22](/1_corinthians/9-22 "1 Corinthians 9:22 - Paul Becomes All Things to All People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **live (Greek, _záō'_):** From G2198, a primary verb meaning "to live (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it refers to the biological and spiritual animation of human existence. Paul asserts that the very breath and vitality of life are derived directly from God.
* **have our being (Greek, _esmén'_):** From G2070, the first person plural indicative of *eimi*, meaning "we are." This term signifies not just biological existence but the very essence of being, our fundamental reality. It points to the ontological dependence of humanity on God, emphasizing that our existence itself is contingent upon Him.
* **offspring (Greek, _génos'_):** From G1085, meaning "kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective). Here, it denotes lineage, race, or kind, reinforcing the idea of a shared origin with God as our ultimate Creator and Father. It implies a common source, not a shared divine nature in a pantheistic sense, but a created relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For in him we live, and move, and have our being":** This profound statement asserts humanity's absolute and continuous dependence on God. "In him" (Greek *en autō*) signifies the sphere or source of all existence. "Live" (zōmen) refers to our very life force and animation. "Move" (kinoumetha) speaks to our physical activity, agency, and ability to interact with the world. "Have our being" (esmen) points to our fundamental existence, our essence, and our ontological reality. Together, these three verbs convey the totality of human dependence, emphasizing that every aspect of our existence—biological, physical, and essential—is sustained by God. He is not merely a creator who set the world in motion and then withdrew, but an ever-present Sustainer.
* **"as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.":** Paul strategically cites Greek poets (Epimenides and Aratus, among others) to validate his point using their own cultural authorities. This demonstrates his awareness of their intellectual tradition and his ability to find common ground. The phrase "For we are also his offspring" (Greek *tou gar kai genos esmen*) reinforces the idea that humanity has a unique, direct relationship with God as Creator. It highlights a shared origin and a familial connection, distinguishing humanity from other created beings. While the pagan poets might have understood "offspring" in a polytheistic or pantheistic sense, Paul recontextualizes it to mean that humanity derives its existence and nature from the one true God, implying a special dignity and accountability.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's sermon on the Areopagus is a masterful display of **Rhetorical Strategy** and **Contextualization**. He begins by acknowledging their religious devotion, specifically the altar "To the Unknown God," which serves as a powerful **Point of Contact** for introducing the true God. The direct **Allusion** and quotation of their own poets (Epimenides and Aratus) is a brilliant move, establishing common ground and demonstrating that even their own revered traditions implicitly acknowledged aspects of the one true God. This approach disarms his audience and invites them to consider a deeper truth. The phrase "live, and move, and have our being" employs a **Tripartite Expression**, a literary technique that emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of human dependence on God by listing three distinct but related aspects of existence. This holistic description underscores God's pervasive immanence and sustaining power over every facet of human life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 17:28 is a cornerstone passage for understanding God's relationship with humanity, emphasizing His active providence and the inherent dignity of human life. It asserts that God is not a distant, deistic creator but an intimately involved Sustainer who upholds all things. This truth lays the groundwork for understanding humanity's accountability to God and the universal need for repentance. The concept of being "His offspring" underscores the *imago Dei*, the truth that humans are uniquely created in God's image, possessing a capacity for relationship with Him that sets them apart from the rest of creation. This divine origin provides the basis for human dignity, value, and purpose, moving beyond the deterministic views of some Greek philosophies.

* [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Created in God's Image")
* [Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Sustains All Things")
* [Psalm 139:13-16](/psalms/139-13-16 "Psalm 139:13-16 - God's Intimate Knowledge and Creation of Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 17:28 calls us to a profound and continuous awareness of our utter dependence on God. Every breath we take, every movement we make, and our very existence is a gracious gift sustained by Him. This understanding should cultivate deep humility, recognizing that we are not self-sufficient, and profound gratitude for His ceaseless provision and care. It reminds us that our lives are not random or meaningless, but are rooted in our relationship with our Creator, endowing us with inherent purpose and dignity. Furthermore, Paul's example encourages us to engage with our contemporary culture with wisdom and sensitivity, finding common ground and using accessible language to communicate the timeless truths of God's sovereignty and humanity's need for Him. We are called to be courageous witnesses, confident that God is not far from any of us ([Acts 17:27](/acts/17-27 "Acts 17:27 - God Is Not Far From Us")) and that He is the ultimate source of all life and being.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing your absolute dependence on God impact your daily sense of humility and gratitude?**
* **In what ways does knowing you are "His offspring" shape your understanding of your own dignity and purpose?**
* **How can you, like Paul, find "points of contact" in your contemporary culture to share the gospel without compromising its truth?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more consciously "in Him" in your thoughts, words, and actions?**

### FAQ

**Who were the poets Paul quoted in Acts 17:28?**

Answer: Paul's statement "as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring" is a direct reference to revered Greek poets. The first part, "For in him we live, and move, and have our being," is often attributed to Epimenides of Crete (c. 6th century BC), from his work *Cretica*. The second part, "For we are also his offspring," is a direct quotation from Aratus of Soli (c. 310-240 BC), found in his astronomical poem *Phaenomena*. Some scholars also suggest a possible influence from Cleanthes' *Hymn to Zeus*. Paul's use of these pagan sources was a brilliant rhetorical strategy, demonstrating his familiarity with their culture and using their own accepted wisdom to introduce them to the one true God, thereby building a bridge for the gospel message.

**Does "we are also his offspring" imply that humans are divine or part of God?**

Answer: No, the phrase "we are also his offspring" does not imply that humans are divine in essence or pantheistically part of God. In the context of Paul's sermon and biblical theology, it signifies that humanity derives its origin, existence, and nature from God as Creator. It highlights that humans are uniquely created by God, distinct from the rest of creation, and bear a special relationship to Him. This aligns with the biblical teaching that humans are created in [God's image](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Created in God's Image"), possessing rationality, morality, and a spiritual capacity to relate to their Creator. It underscores human dignity and accountability to God, rather than suggesting an inherent divinity or a merging of human and divine natures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 17:28, while spoken in a pre-Christian context to a pagan audience, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The declaration "in him we live, and move, and have our being" is fully realized in Christ, who is not only the agent through whom all things were created but also the one who actively sustains the cosmos. As the [Word of God](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - Christ as Creator"), "all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made" ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Christ")). Furthermore, the New Testament explicitly states that "in him all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Sustains All Things")), and that Christ "upholds the universe by the word of his power" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")). Thus, the very life, movement, and being of humanity, and indeed all creation, are continuously dependent upon Christ. Moreover, while all humanity is God's "offspring" by creation, in Christ, believers are granted a new and deeper spiritual sonship, being "children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:26](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Sons of God Through Faith in Christ")). Through His redemptive work, Christ restores and elevates humanity's relationship with God, transforming a general created "offspring" into adopted sons and daughters, bringing true life and purpose.

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

Job 12:10

In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

Colossians 1:17

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Hebrews 1:3

Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Psalms 36:9

For with thee [is] the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Luke 20:38

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

John 5:26

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: