"Distressed By Idolatry"

 "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols"

                                                                               ACTS 17 : 16

It must best timing experience for Paul to come to Athens, the intellectual center of the first-century world. As a native and longtime resident of the educational center of Tarsus, and as one who was reared and educated by leading Jewish thinkers in Jerusalem, he is comfortable in academic circles. Though Athens has lost much of its politcal and commercial influence since Roman conquered it in 146 B.C. It remains a major center of art, literature, and philosophy. 

        Buf Paul discovers that the city is thoroughly, sickeningly devoted to pagan idolatry. Luke says the city is  "given over" to false gods. "In spite of its distinction of being the center of learning and artistry, this city. Exceeded all others in spiritual blindness and indulged in unrivaled idolatry." Dr. Simon Kistemaker writes in his commentary on Acts. Luke says Paul's spirit is "provoked" by this situation; other Bible translations render his action. As "greatly disressed" (NIV) and "stirred" (KJV). Perhapshe is offended by this large-scale affront to God and moved to compassion for the misguided people (Matt.9:36). In any event, he realizes he cannot kerp silent, and he begins to reaso. In the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearers, and in the marketplace with anyone he encounters.

       The maketplace is where Athens' philosophers gather to debate, and Paul's words are heard by the Epicureans, who teach that every being seeks happiness by maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain; and the Stoics, who teach that humans find happiness by accepting their fate submissively. They disdainfully call Paul a "babbler," and in their ignorance of Christisnity they mistakenly assume he is speaking of two gods (Jesus and Anastasis, Greek for 'resurrection"). They then take him to the Areopagus, literally the "hill of Ares." The governing council once met there; and the name became attached to the council even when it met elsewhere; it appears that Paul is taken before the council, not to the hill. This council supervise education to ensure that new teaching didnot constitute a threat to the state; its members ask to hear Paul's doctrine that they might pass judgement on it. But they are curious , too, for, as Luke notes, they love ti hear new things. So the door is opened for the Gospel to be preached to the governing council in the cultural center of the world. (Acts 17:16-21),