The Word for Today with Ray

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".

Paul on Mars' Hill - Acts 17:22

Luke the beloved physician shared how “certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered” Paul. ”And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is? For you bring certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)”, and in chapter seventeen and verse twenty-two of the book of Acts Luke wrote, “then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill” where we read:

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said,

You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious.

The verse begins, “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, ...” Luke began with the words, “then Paul” which means “at that time Paul whose name means small or little” “stood in the midst of Mars' hill” or “raised to his feet in the middle of Areopagus known as Mars' hill”, “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Luke shared how “Paul” stood to his feet in the middle of the philosophers on “Mars' hill” where discussions were made and presented about thoughts and ideas.

The verse goes on to say, “... You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious.” Luke continued with the words, “you men of Athens” or “you, male human beings, who are citizens or visitors in Athens”, “I perceive that in all things” which means “I, Paul, look at, behold, view mentally and consider that in each, every, the whole and everything” “you are too superstitious” or “you, men of Athens, exists as pious or religious in the sense of reverencing gods”. Luke shared how “Paul” acknowledged and noted his perception that the “men of Athens” were pious and religious in the sense of reverencing and worshiping gods.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn what “Paul” did when he was given audience upon “Areopagus” or “Mars' hill”. As was their practice, the men of Athens met in this place to share and hear ideas and thoughts , and “Paul” stood up and began his discourse by acknowledging the “religious” practices of the Athenians. We shall see more of “Paul's” words in our next verses, but for now let us address the idea of being “religious” in some form or another. God knows people “worship” or give obeisance to something, and to whatever they give their time, money, energy and thoughts can easily become a “god” in their lives. God desires to be the One True God in the lives of people through obedience to His Son Jesus. When a person yields to Jesus, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. No other “god” insures the eternal future of Heaven after death, and those who are wise will examine their lives to be certain the One True God is foremost in their worship and yielding to His Son Jesus is their priority.

Next time Luke shares how Paul, “found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

To Hear Some New Thing - Acts 17:21

The beloved physician Luke wrote how “certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered” Paul in Athens. ”And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is? For you bring certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean”, and in chapter seventeen and verse twenty-one of the book of Acts Luke parenthetically shared how, “the Athenians and strangers … spent their time” where we read:

(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else,

but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

The verse begins, “(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, ...” Luke began with the words, “(for all the Athenians” which means “because, since and on account that each, every, the whole and everyone of the people who lived in Athens” “and strangers” or “and foreigners, aliens and guest” “which were there spent their time” which means “who were present, dwelt, had leisure and gave their time in Athens” “in nothing else” or “in not one other thing” except for the following. Luke parenthetically shared how the people who lived in “Athens” and those who visited there as guests did nothing other than the following with their time.

The verse continues, “... but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)” Luke added the words, “but either to tell” or “except to say, speak, affirm, maintain or advise”, “or to hear” which means “or to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding” “some new thing” or “a certain recent, fresh, unused, unworn or uncommon idea or thought”). Luke shared how the people who lived or visited “Athens” only expended their time there to declare or “perceive” a new thought or idea.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn what the people who were in “Athens” spent their time doing. They were highly interested in thoughts and ideas, and knowledge and wisdom were priorities for them. Therefore, they expended their lives in trading speeches and listening to what each other had to say. To be “in the know” was important to these philosophers, and whenever someone presented a “new idea”, they were interested. We shall see how this created an opportunity for “Paul” as he desired to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with “thinkers”. God's gospel is for everyone, and whenever those who are deep into “thoughts and ideas” are exposed to His plan of salvation through His Son Jesus, they align with God's thoughts when they submit themselves to His forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.

Next time Luke shares, “then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Strange Things to Our Ears - Acts 17:20

Luke the beloved physician shared how “Paul the apostle” was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, and “his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is?”, and in chapter seventeen and verse twenty of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Epicureans and Stoics told Paul, “you bring certain strange things to our ears” where we read:

For you bring certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

The verse begins, “For you bring certain strange things to our ears:” Luke began with the words, “for you bring certain things” which means “because, since and on account that you, Paul, carry particular inward, surprising and astonishing ideas” “to our ears” or “to the physical ears of the philosophers”. Luke shared how the “philosophers” acknowledged that “Paul” carried within him foreign thoughts and ideas to them.

The verse goes on to say, “we would know therefore what these things mean.” Luke continued with the words, “we would know therefore” or “we, the philosophers, desire, crave and want to learn, become acquainted with and understand then, wherefore and on this account” “what these things mean” which means “what these ideas intend, have in mind, resolve and purpose”. Luke shared how the “philosophers” desired to know what the “intention and purpose” was for the ideas “Paul” was presenting.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “philosophers” in Athens knew “Paul” was presenting ideas with which they were unfamiliar. They wanted “Paul” to share with them so they might understand what he was telling them. “Paul's” mission was to share the “good news” of God's salvation through His Son Jesus with anyone who would listen to him. This gave him a great opportunity to share with these educated people. God loves everyone, and whether they were “educated or not”, “Paul” shared with them all. Anyone, regardless of their educational background, who believes and trusts in Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words be as curious about “Paul's” words as these “philosophers” and surrender to Jesus when they discover He is God's Messiah and only begotten Son.

Next time Luke shares how, “the Athenians and strangers … spent their time”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

What is this New Doctrine? - Acts 17:19

The beloved physician Luke wrote how “the brethren” in Berea “sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection”, and in chapter seventeen and verse nineteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Epicureans and Stoics asked Paul, “May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is?” where we read:

And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying,

May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is?

The verse begins, “And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, ...” Luke began with the words, “and they took him” which means “and the philosophers seized Paul”, “and brought him” or “and carried and led Paul” “unto Areopagus” which means “to Areopagus whose name means martial peak and a rocky height in the city of Athens, opposite the western end of the Acropolis toward the west”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Luke shared how the “philosophers in Athens” captured Paul and lead him to the rocky height in Athens known as “Areopagus” or “Mars Hill”.

The verse continues, “... May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is?” Luke added the words, “may we know” or “might we, the philosophers, have the power and capability to learn, gain knowledge of, understand and perceive” “what this new doctrine” which means “what is this recent, unprecedented, novel, uncommon and unheard of teaching and instruction”, “whereof you speak, is” or “that you, Paul, are declaring, proclaiming and uttering”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “philosophers” gathered “Paul” unto themselves and led him to “Areopagus” where learning, instruction and discussion of ideas were shared among them. When he arrived, the group of “philosophers” wanted “Paul” to share with them concerning his “teaching or doctrine”. This was a great opportunity for “Paul” to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and no doubt, he was excited to tell them. God loves people, and He wants to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. Anyone who yields themselves to Him, regardless of how philosophical they are, He will “save”. “Paul” was prepared to share with the “philosophers” on “Mars Hill”, and his words continue to have eternal meaning this day. Those who are wise will observe and obey Jesus and His plan of salvation to live forever with Him.

Next time Luke shares how the Epicureans and Stoics tell Paul, “you bring certain strange things to our ears”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…