John Bengel Commentary - Acts 17:29 - 17:29

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John Bengel Commentary - Acts 17:29 - 17:29


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Act 17:29. Οὐκ ὀφείλομεν, we ought not) A mild mode of expression, especially in the first person plural. “He hath breathed into us a something divine. Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, and have life and breath, it is foolish to believe that the Divinity is in dumb stone or silver, since it is undoubtedly the highest life which hath given us life.”-Jonas.-χαράγματι) The Ablative.-τέχνης, of art) which is external.-ἐνθυμήσεως, of man’s device) which is internal.-τὸ θεῖον) An appropriate appellation of God among men who are still far removed from the knowledge of Him.-ὅμοιον, like) Man is in some measure midway between God and matter. Man is not like metal. Therefore God is much less like metal: for man, the offspring of God, is like God. And not only is likeness in this place denied, but any correspondence whatsoever, which might furnish a foundation for making an image, so as that from it the expectation might be formed, that the nature of God takes delight in such things. The statues (themselves) were not esteemed by the Athenians as gods: but Paul does not even leave them the power, which they were presumed to have, of vividly presenting (representing) the Deity before us.