Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious.
Parallel translations
- WEB Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things.
- KJV Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
- NKJV Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;
- NASB So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects.
- NLT So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul began his address by observing that the Athenians were very religious.
Overview
He opened with a respectful observation rather than insult, finding common ground while preparing to redirect their worship. Their religiosity was real but misdirected toward idols. Paul models wise engagement: acknowledging a sincere spiritual hunger before pointing people to the true object of worship in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Acts 25:19They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
- Acts 17:16While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.
- Acts 19:35Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd and declared, “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?
- Jer 10:2–3This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, though the nations themselves are terrified by them.
- Jer 50:38A drought is upon her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and the people go mad over idols.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 17:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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