At Athens

by L.H. Taylor, Romford | Category: The Life And Work Of Paul | Oct 1971

"Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone" (1 Thess. 3:1). Tenderness, affection and pathos are in these words of the apostle to the Gentiles. Filled with anxious thoughts of those he had left in Macedonia, and longing for the friendship and companionship of Silas and Timothy, in the loneliness of a strange city with pagan and evil influences, Paul was deeply moved.

Undeterred from his purpose and mission but yet stirred and provoked by what he saw and heard, Paul's' first thoughts were toward those of his own people. In the synagogue he preached the gospel and reasoned daily in the market place. The response is not indicated but no doubt in a city which was the centre of the world's culture and learning they were amazed at his teaching.

As Paul walked through the streets of Athens he saw many altars upon which offerings were being made. Mercury, Aesculapius, Venus, Diana, Minema, etc., were supposedly bringing protection, healing, success, skill and courage to the dupes of the various cults. He saw one altar on which was carved "To an unknown God". This was to cover all unknown existences. The contemplation of the numerous gods and idols left a lasting impression on the apostle and touched his heart. Here was a society seeking after power but in fact denying the very existence of its only true source. He discerned that these Athenian worshippers were yearning after life but they knew not the One who is "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6).

In one part of the market place Paul met a group of philosophers called Stoics who believed that God was simply in trees, animals and men as life, and that man should aim at reaching a serene freedom from feelings of mere pain or pleasure. He knew their arguments well: indeed he probably knew all about them from his youth, for in Tarsus the Stoic philosophy had been taught for many years. Elsewhere he would meet a group of Epicureans whose philosophy was the enjoyment of tranquil pleasure as the highest achievement of human existence and not as the Stoics who were to be above feeling. They would ask clever and rhetorical questions after the Socratic method to trip up their opposing debaters.

It would not be long before the apostle Paul became involved in their discussions in the agora and evidently he soon caused a dissension among them. Some said, "What would this babbler say?" and others, "He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods" (Acts 17:18). What was the tremendous and vital message that incited their passion? "Because he preached Jesus and the resurrection". This must have been a pulsating moment in the life of the great apostle. Before the eyes and ears of the world's cultured minds he presented the thrilling news of a living Christ-the Living One who said, "I became dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore" (Rev. 1:18 R.V.M.).

It was not surprising that they led him away from the market place towards the long-sloping, rocky hill called the Areopagus. Here judges sat and brought judgement upon the guilty since the time of the first legendary trial of Mars which gave to the place its name of Mars Hill. It was a scene of verbal awe and testing by those curious for novelty and innovation. Men like Dionysius would sit to hear their visitors propound their strange teachings and others would be attracted inquisitively. Into this cauldron of paganism came the beloved apostle to meet perhaps one of the major crises of the dispensation of grace, and as a consequence there follows some of the most wonderful and profound words ever spoken by mortal man through the Spirit of God.

Drawing from his experience of inspecting their altars and appealing through the beliefs of the Stoics and Epicureans he tells them that "the God that made the world and all things therein, ... dwelleth not in temples made with hands"-here Paul might have pointed to the temple of Theseus - "as though He needed anything". The wise Athenians must have been surprised to hear a Jew quoting their own poets but cut to the quick at the grandeur of such powerful words-"For in Him we live, and move, and have our being" (v.28). Leading up to the climax of his message he sets aside the wisdom of men and asserts the truth of resurrection and the necessity for repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Here was good news to change people's lives. A dead religion to be replaced by a living faith. An empty life to be filled with the abundant life in Christ. "I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal. 2:20).

The effect of the message was threefold. Down through the centuries since Pentecost the preaching of the gospel of the grace of God has produced and will always produce the same response.

(1)"Some mocked" (v.32). The world's answer in failing to understand the truth of the gospel is to bring scorn

and ridicule upon the Lord Jesus Christ. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall be also reap" (Gal. 6:7).

(2)"We will hear thee concerning this yet again" (v.32). Procrastination is the subtle instrument of the Adversary of God. Felix said tragically, "When I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me" (Acts 24:25). Many of those who heard Paul would have passed out of life into death without hearing the gospel again. To such the vital opportunity of salvation would be lost: soon they will meet the Judge of all the earth and receive the final judgement of separation from God through all eternity. "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).

(3)But certain men, and a woman, clave unto him and believed (v.34). Dionysius and Damaris with others were convicted and converted to Christ by the words of the Spirit through Paul. Small recompense it may be thought for such a thrilling message, but nevertheless those were brands plucked out of the fire of paganism. There is rich encouragement to us to "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season" (2 Tim. 4:2).

Despite the apathy, mockery and procrastination of men, God is faithful to His Word and will bless our ministry if consecrated lives are prepared to be moved by the love of Christ. The gift of the evangelist is sparse. The zeal and fire of youthful witness is lost in the flood-tide of apathy. May God revive our flagging spirits to renewed energy and power through prayer in the service of the risen and ascended Christ and call forth dedicated young men to form the spearhead in the work of evangelising.

Whatever may have been the immediate fruit of Paul's stay in Athens the Scriptures remain silent and, furthermore, there is no inspired evidence that he was ever in the city again. Of the results of his sojourn there eternity alone will reveal, but his speech on Mars Hill stands as a monumental testimony to the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ over idolatrous sin. It will continue to be the subject of many gospel testimonies until the Lord Himself comes to take the fruits of His glorious victory over sin and death. This victorious life in Christ was the motivating influence in the work of the great apostle to the Gentiles.

"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel" (2 Tim. 2:8).

L.H. Taylor, Romford | Oct 1971
The Life And Work Of Paul