Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Acts 17:31 - 17:31
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Act 17:31. Μέλλει κρίνειν, He is about to judge) This is appropriately said in the Areopagus, where justice and judgment used to be dispensed. Paid adds presently the mention of righteousness, as he did also before the judge Felix: ch. Act 24:10; Act 24:25.-[τὴν οἰκουμένην, the habitable earth) Comp. Act 17:26.-V. g.]-ἐν ἀνδρὶ, by the Man) So he calls Jesus, to accord with the comprehension of his hearers. He was about to speak more in detail of Gospel truths to those who desired to hear. The ἐν, by, is construed with μέλλει κρίνειν, He will judge.-ᾧ) for ὃν, whom.-ὥρισε, He hath ordained) viz. as Judge: ch. Act 10:42.-πίστιν παρασχὼν) God hath raised again Jesus from the dead, and by that fact hath demonstrated (having thereby given assurance) that Jesus is the glorious Judge of all men. As to this very phrase, comp. the note on Chrys. de Sacerd. p. 450; and as to the use of the verb παρέχειν, Camerar. comm, utr. ling. col. 328, 329. All ought to have faith in God παρασχόντι, affording faith [who gives the assurance which is the object of faith,-which faith lays hold of]. Therefore Paul here also preaches repentance and faith: and since faith was altogether unknown to the Athenians, he most elegantly makes merely an allusion to it by this phrase. The language besides implies, that no one is compelled [God affords, or presents the object of faith to all, compels none].-ἀναστήσας, in that He hath raised) As to the connection of the resurrection of Christ with the universal preaching of Him, see note, ch. Act 13:32;[108] Luk 24:46-47. Paul did not conclude even this discourse without mention of the resurrection of Christ.
[108] Also 34, as Beng. does not interpret 33 of the resurrection at all. But in ver. 34 of ch. 13, the giving to the whole world of the sure mercies of David, and the declaring of the glad tidings unto the Gentiles, according to the promise made unto the fathers, is represented as necessarily requiring the resurrection of Christ as the preliminary.-E. and T.