Some of the people became followers
“16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
Athens was a city of vibrant philosophical activity and the heart of Greek mythology, filled with idols throughout. When Paul witnessed the state of Athens, he was deeply distressed, as many idols and philosophical ideologies held the people captive. In response, Paul began to proclaim God, the Creator of all things, within the context of Greek mythology and philosophical reasoning.
In his sermon, Paul explained the God who created the heavens and the earth, the Lord of all, a God far beyond the man-made idols they worshiped. He also bore witness to Jesus, who rose from the dead, proclaiming His resurrection and the judgment to come.
Paul’s evangelism in Athens mirrors the context of modern cities like Boston, where logic, competition, and a variety of religions and philosophies coexist. Although not many people in Athens converted, a few did turn to God. Similarly, in Boston, even if only a few are impacted by our witness, it is significant.
In this pluralistic society of America, where diverse religions and ideologies coexist, we should not be ashamed of sharing the Gospel. We must share it boldly, knowing that it is a valid and powerful alternative for the world. We do not need to always be logical or rational in our approach as Paul did. Our focus is on those few who will turn to God.
May we, as individuals and as a church, continue to boldly and powerfully proclaim the Gospel in cities like Boston, much like Paul did in Athens.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for granting us the resurrection life, allowing us to live with eternal hope. May the power of this Gospel work through us to renew the world and bear witness to life for all. Help us to deepen our understanding of Your Word and the Gospel, to grow into a well-trained faith, and to witness many turning to You. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.