John Bengel Commentary - Acts 17:22 - 17:22

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John Bengel Commentary - Acts 17:22 - 17:22


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Act 17:22. Ἐν μέσῳ, in the midst) A spacious theatre. [The one single messenger of Christ in this instance had to encounter the might (strongest sinews) of human wisdom.-V. g.]-ἔφη, said) As among the Lycaonians he set forth natural Theology in the way of instruction (catechetically), so at Athens he set it forth in the way of an address to the ears of a learned audience, with marvellous wisdom, subtilty (refinement), fulness, and courtesy. They ask for new things: Paul, in his apostolico-philosophical speech, begins with what is most ancient and comes to the newest truths; both of which alike were new to them. And he shows them the origin and end of all things, concerning which their philosophers used to discuss so much, and he in a most appropriate manner refutes the Stoics and Epicureans alike.-κατὰ πάντα, in all things) altogether.-ὡς δεισιδαιμονεστέρους) δεισιδαίμων, religiosus, is a word in itself μέσον, of middle signification between good and bad, and therefore has in it an ambiguity conciliatory, and most suitable to this the opening of his speech, wherein, as in the case of the Jews, ch. Act 22:3, so in this case, the apostle deals gently with the Gentiles here, until in his subsequent declaration, εὗρον γὰρ, for I found, he verges to reproof. Therefore he calls them δεισιδαίμονας, as being persons who in their religion had fear, a feeling not in itself bad, without knowledge; or, in other words, those who ἀγνοοῦντες εὐσεβοῦσιν, worship ignorantly, the Divinity: the foll, verse. The comparative also mitigates the language; and the particle ὡς (as being somewhat too fearful in your religion) explains and softens the expression. Observe, Reader: Impiety and false religions, as many as they are, and as great soever as they may be, as far as concerns the soul, are fears: the Christian religion alone has this peculiarity, that it fully satisfies the noblest faculties and affections of man, and brings with it a calm kind of fear, and confidence accompanying the fear, and love, hope, and joy.-ὑμᾶς θεωρῶ, I perceive you) Great keenness of observation and great freedom of speech. Paul alone against all Athens.