Paul at Athens

Reading in Acts 17.22-31, this morning where Paul gives his speech at Athens. I'm struck by Paul's boldness in flatly declaring: "Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you" (KJV). My sense is that Paul knew what he was doing when he started off this way. I'm guessing that he was getting their attention by, in essence, calling them ignorant (which as it so happens, they were).

The other thing that stands out to me here is how Paul describes the character of God, which stands in contrast to what he emphasized when he was speaking to a largely Jewish audience who were familiar with the Tanakh. He points out that:

1. God made all things

2. God is Lord of heaven and earth.

3. God does not dwell in any house made of human hands.

4. God does not need anything from man.

5. God gave life to all things.

6. God made all men from one person.

7. All men should seek the Lord.

8. God is not far from any man.

9. In God we live and move and have our being.

10. God is calling all men everywhere to repent.

11. Judgment is coming.

12. Christ, the risen, will be the judge on that day.