ON THE SECOND JOURNEY PAUL SPEAKS TO THE AREOPAGUS IN ATHENS

ACTS 17:16–34

Paul’s second journey covers many more miles than his first journey and has considerably more chapters in Acts devoted to it. Starting again in Antioch of Syria, Paul and his colleagues revisited churches that they had helped to establish on the prior trip: Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia. After spending time in Galatia and Phrygia, the Holy Spirit used a vision delivered in Troas to direct Paul’s eyes across the Aegean Sea toward Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 16:6–10). Leaving the port of Troas, Paul visited Philippi and Thessalonica, important urban centers on the Egnatian Way. When opposition in Thessalonica and later in Berea forced this team from those cities, Paul traveled south into Achaia for a short visit in Athens for a reason.

Athens was a somewhat unusual stop for Paul. As we look at the cities on the itinerary of this and his other journeys, Paul seems interested in cities with large Jewish populations and/or cities that were located at thriving transportation hubs. Neither was the case with Athens. The gleaming, golden years of the fifth century BC were long behind it—the days when Athens was the administrative center of Greece and the shining star of Greek politics, culture, and commerce.31 By now Athens had become a quiet museum harboring the memories of the past, big on reflection but short on commerce and influence.32 In fact, the only reason Paul seems to delay in this city is that he is awaiting the arrival of Silas and Timothy, who were finishing up in Berea (Acts 17:13–15).

Stoic philosopher Chrysippus (280–207 BC).
© Dr. James C. Martin. Mus’ee du Louvre; Autorisation de photographer et de filmer—LOUVRE.

Athenian forum and Stoa of Attalus.

Athens was a city desperately searching for truth. The massive Parthenon, the temple of Athena Nike, the temple of Augustus, as well as dozens of other altars, temples, and idols combined to impress Paul with the religious quest under way in this city (Acts 17:22–23). Furthermore, Athens was the birthplace of Greek philosophy, to which the residents of Athens were especially attuned. Luke notes, “All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas” (Acts 17:21). As Paul entered the public marketplace (agora) he met such people, including the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Paul brought these philosophers face to face with “the good news about Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18). Their exchanges led these philosophers to invite Paul to a meeting of the Areopagus, a council whose responsibility it was to hear and evaluate new answers to old and compelling questions about the nature of good and evil, personal destiny, and the gods.33

Paul spoke to the Areopagus in Athens on his second journey for a reason. The troubling uncertainty that lived and breathed in this city showed the desperate need of the people to know the one and only true God. As Paul stood before the Areopagus, he was compelled to address the issue of a particular altar he had passed dedicated “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.”34 Paul launched into an exposition on the one true God, his creation of humanity, and the need to prepare earnestly for the coming day of judgment (Acts 17:22–31). Athenians of the Areopagus greatly needed to learn what Paul was proclaiming. Paul used Athenian culture and history as the entry point for proclaiming the Good News of the Creator, God’s Kingdom, and the Messiah. So Paul’s stop in Athens happened for a reason.

Paul’s second journey

Athens in Roman times

Latin inscription dedicating this altar to an unknown God.
© Dr. James C. Martin. On licence Ministero per I Beni e le Attivita Culturali—Soprintendenza Archaeologica di Roma. Rome, Italy.