Paul stood in front of the Areopagus in Athens. I looked it up. The word means "Temple of Ares (god of war)" or "Mars' (another name for Ares) Hill." This building in Paul's time was the meeting place for the highest judicial and legislative council.
He begins by complimenting the Athenians on how religious they are. Or is he being a little snarky when he says that they worship even an unknown god?
He continues "Although you may not know the god you worship, I can tell you about the God who made the world, everything in it, a God not confined to any building, a God who does not need anything but instead provides everything."
Paul then tells them that God is the source and director of all people, and that while we may be looking for God, God is not far from us.
The one-God part may have been difficult for the Athenians to grasp. We moderns on the other hand may not be able to admit how many temples of unknown gods we spend time in and money on. We think our jobs are important, as are our leisure activities. Like the ancients, we also search for meaning or affirmation or security, physical or psychological, and, of course, amusement.
And like them, God is not far from us--even when we are looking in the wrong direction. God has created us--all of us--and continues to provide us life.
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