Saturday, April 1, 2023

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD - Acts 17:23

The beloved physician Luke shared how “Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious”, and in chapter seventeen and verse twenty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul, “found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” where we read:

For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

The verse begins, “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, ... Luke began with the words, “for as I passed by” which means “because, since and on account while and during the time I, Paul, traveled, journeys and walked through the city of Athens”, “and beheld your devotions” or “and looked upon and observed your, men of Athens', altars, objects of worship, temples, statues and idolatrous images”, “I found an altar” which means “I, Paul, discovered and came upon an elevated place which was used to offer a sacrifice” “with this inscription” or “having a writing” according to the following words. Luke shared how “Paul” told the men of Athens about traveling through their city and noticing the items they worshiped including a particular “altar” or elevated place of worship that had the following words written upon it.

The verse continues, “... TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” Luke added the words, “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” or “to the forgotten or undiscovered god or goddess”. “Whom therefore you ignorantly worship” which means “who then, wherefore, consequently and on this account you, men of Athens, do not know, err, are in mistake, wrong and without understanding act piously and reverently toward”, “him declare I unto you” or “him, THE UNKNOWN GOD, is the “True God” that I, Paul, utter, declare and proclaim to you, men of Athens”. Luke shared how “Paul” noted of one of the “gods” the “men of Athens” worshiped who was known as “THE UNKNOWN GOD”, and it was this “God” that “Paul” desired to share with them.

When we mediate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” acknowledged one of the “gods” the “men of Athens” worshiped. This god, was known as “THE UNKNOWN GOD”, and just in case they forgot one of the gods with all the gods they named, this one would cover them. “Paul” used this “altar” to continue his presentation of the “gospel” to the men of Athens. Although He was “unknown” to the Athenians, He was not “unknown” to “Paul”, and his desire was to inform them that He is indeed the One True God who wants to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus. God sent Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of mankind, and everyone who submits their life to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life in Heaven. Those who are wise will carefully examine this testimony and witness of “Paul”, and if the One True God is unfamiliar to them, let them surrender themselves to His Son Jesus and begin to “know” the Almighty God and Creator of the Universe.

Next time Luke shares how Paul referred to the, “God that made the world and all things therein”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".








 

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